Tata Safari Review: The Latest Release Is Better & Not Same
- Technology Automobiles
Loyiso Dlamini- 0
- 6 minutes read
We have known it as the Tata H7X. We have also known it as the Tata Buzzard. But the much anticipated three-row version of the Harrier is ultimately on sale as the latest Tata Safari. Tata Motors executives stated this SUV was always viewed to bring back the Safari moniker. Let us have a quick look at the Tata Safari review. We will be discussing all the Tata Safari 2021 specifications and other features as well.
Tata Safari Review: A More Mature Design
It can be seen that Tata tried to attain maturity to a certain level this time with their latest Safari. The latest Safari is clearly dependent on the 5-seat Harrier which has much of the front looks the same, but the treatment raft of the C-pillar is quite varied. There is a higher roof, with the different kink that the old Safari was popular for. There is a large quarter-glass for the third row with an amazing design element strengthening it from the roof rails, down to the body design. To our eyes, it is a smarter-looking automobile than the Harrier which is much less concept car-like. Our automatic test version came in this fetching Royale Blue color that seemed elegant and premium.
The new Tata Safari 2022 gets the same iRA connected car suite that we saw recently in the Altroz iTurbo. It provides basic geofencing security features, as well as allows one to activate the horn and the lights remotely. However, there is no remote engine start or climate control functionality like we’ve seen in some other cars recently.
Now in this Tata Safari review let us have a look at the tech that it offers. The touchscreen infotainment system which is of 8.8-inch is a wide-screen version of what we have seen in the Altroz and Nexon, and as such, does not segregate itself much. It is receptive and works with any Apple smartphone even though CarPlay is available, but wired. However, the complaints with the UI stay the same. Simple toggles are quite confusing, as you have to hunt for small icons on the screen to find out if they have been activated.
The JBL-branded music system is a carry forward from the Harrier. It is very basic to listen to unless you use the equalizer or any of its presets. It also does not sync volume with the Bluetooth device that is connected. With a few small alterations, the Tata Safari interior feels more premium compared to the Harrier’s.
Tata Safari Review: The Interior
Tata Motors prevails to draw hints from corporate cousin Jaguar Land Rover, which is very evident from the interior of Safari. There is a sweeping arc among the windshield and the dash, redolent of some Jaguars. Materials seem to be nice, with an airy scheme of colors that looks more premium compared to that of the Harrier. We took specific note of the rough-looking stitches on the seats of Harrier, which the Safari does not offer. Apart from the lightweight plastic on the panels of the door, things feel great.
The dashboard still follows the latest design language of Tata Motors but does better in the Safari thanks to the dark wood finish, nice panel running across the dash. The steel-gray strip below the panel and the use of piano black look great as well. There are a good number of available buttons; not too many or too few, and we appreciate the addition of an electronic parking brake, discarding the gimmicky aircraft-style throttle lever of the Harrier. Strangely, however, the parking brake does not offer an LED indicator of its own, needing you to look at the driver display to understand whether it is engaged. The terrain response dial, also, has dim indicator LEDs, needing you to look from near to see what mode is chosen. On the contrary, the panoramic sunroof offers the most obvious controls, along with individual rockers for shade, opening, and vent.
The driver’s binnacle is a space where there was a chance to segregate the Safari from its stablemates. As a flagship automobile, we would have liked to see something more than we did in the Altroz. The steering tilts and telescopes of Safari, and the motorized seat adjustment is a bonus, but we were somehow never able to find the ideal driving position, as was the scenario with the Harrier. It gets near but is still not ideal. The center armrest, as with the Harrier, prevails to be useless. It is too small, positioned too far back, and is not at all adjustable.
Conclusion
After this Tata Safari review, it can be concluded that the lack of 4×4 seems to be a deal-breaker for various Safari faithful, interpreting the latest one as a soft-roader at best. However, the terrain response system will take the user to more places than they might think – just not where locking diffs would be required. The Tata Safari 2021 on-road price starts at Rs. 14.99 Lakh and goes up to Rs. 23.29 Lakh. Tata Motors has made it specific that the architecture of the Safari can conveniently accommodate a 4×4 system if market scenarios are feasible for the expense, so if that is the only thing stopping you from purchasing a Safari, then wait. Even the Harrier did not have an auto ‘box’ until it finally made one.
