Review after 68000 kms

Exterior : Has been a legacy. Is unique in its own avataar

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Features - ABS should be mandate for all variants for such a big car, rest all can be customed. Space is ample. Even Fortuner does not give this much interior space.  Comfort - Back Seat comfort and thigh support is legendary, best in class. Even front seats are enveloping and very comfy.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox - There is initial turbo lag but one can feel it if one tries to pull the car in 2nd gear below 1500 rpm, it does fine with 1st gear. Safe driving speed is 70-80 in highways. Beyond 100 the stability is compromised. Engine is not too rev happy. But it is a mile muncher. Maintain the engine servicing regularly then a 5000km drive also won't be tiresome. Fuel Economy is such a debatable issue. But Safari does well with 9-10 in bumper to bumper traffic with AC on and on highways easily 12-13. I got 14kmpl too. Just drive at 80kmph at 1700rpm. Gearbox - is tad notchy. Actually it is deceptive. Sometimes it is as smooth as butter and sometimes u just have to gym like its a raw weight. Change gear box oil every 20000kms.

 

Ride Quality & Handling

Handling is ordinary but way better composed than Scorpio or Bolero.

Ride Quality - Not even Fortuner, not even Santa Fe, not even Chevrolet Captiva come even close to Safari's Ride Quality. It is that good and I am not exaggerating it

 

Final Words

Engine Oil - Change every 14000 kms

Cluth Oil & Brake Oil - Change every 10000 kms

Clutch Plate - 40000kms,

Coolant Pump - 40000 kms,

Timer belt - 90000kms along with the bearing assembly. Please do not change only the timer belt. The whole bearing assembly must be changed. If you change only timer belt it will cost u Rs 6,000 but with whole bearing assembly it will cost u Rs 10,000 but if you do not change the bearing assembly if it breaks down then Rs 40,000 is gone

Suspension - Change every 50000kms

Gear Unit - 60000 kms

Always keep a spare bulb in car. Bulb going off is a very common phenomenon.

Please never turn the safari at high speeds. It can be catastrophic

Always be ready to head to workshop for sounds and niggle issues. Since the after sales service is pathetic, make friends with the mechanics and pay them commission like 100/- or 200/- rs. They will work better on your Safari.

The rear mounted wheel assembly makes lot of noise. Get it throrughly planted with some thermocole fitting.

 

Areas of improvement  

1. After sales service

2. Cost of spare parts can challenge even 30lac + price range cars. Come on TATA. Don't be such mercenraies over your flagship vehicle. This is bad in fact sad. You just loot people on this. Some day all your loyal customers will give you Babaji ka Thullu. So stop being such greedy

3. Pay your workers more and get your managers to have people management skills. Their behavior towards workers is very rude and filled with lot of slangs. It is not good. I have seen it and heard it. I have seen workers wiping tears with their greased hands. This should change.

4. Interiors - Take a leaf out of Toyota. In span of 3 months your company's cars' power windows go off. We get to hear niggles that can irritate the hell out of each other. Electrical problems are a regular affair. Learn and improve

Final Note :-

 Tata Safari is a legacy. I am proud to own one. But you know it would have been way better had it been Maruti Safari. This is true. Safari as a vehicle has not been done justice by you people and Safari deserves better if not Tata

 

 

Comfort, Road presence, Bullying feelPower windows, all electricals, horrible after sales service, maintenance, costly spare parts