Tata Safari [2015-2017] User Reviews

 

Exterior Looking at a SUV is like meeting a guy who thinks he is a dude. There are two kinds of dudes:

1. Whom you say hi and they immediately chill and break into a conversation - you might think of these as metrosexual

2. Whom you say hi and the fellow replies back and befriends you, but slowly and you seem to mutually respect each other with slow progress. These are old boy, ladder frame SUVs that you need to respect to be respected back. Safari belongs here.

For a home grown SUV, its been a timeless clean and appealing design over the years and looks terrific even now. The new 2011 Safari's challange will not be to look as good as another vehicle but its predessecor.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Space, egronomics and features that a base model offers is very kind. However, the quality of plastics is quite basic. Hopefully that changes soon.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Toequey engine at about 130 horses, best driven at cruising speeds and even though the pick up is quite good in the Dicor, this is not enjoyed best at zipping speeds. Its a cruiser - period. And fuel economy is good. In city i get about 10 and I drove 3100kms cross country between Chandigarh and Chennai, the highway avearge was a fraction above 14.

Ride Quality & Handling Use a size bigger alloys on your new vehicle if you want to cut down body roll that a vehicle of this size cannot avoid. However, in linear acceleration and cornering it feels solidly planted. The steering is good at feedback though not too sharp and thankfully not too light. When you drive over 2 tonnes of steel and 130 horses, it cant be like your sporty hatchback, one has to watch the corners and best stick to responsible and not experimental driving.

Final Words My colleauges fondly call my vehicle "the truck". I have dealt with three different dealers, sometimes they may miss a thing or two but overall a sense of courtesy is in their dealings and while some bloggers here sound angry, i feel quite nice dealing with these folks. I appreciate the friendly charm of Joshi's in Chandigarh and the overall sense of warmth in VST in Chennai.

Areas of improvement I think the issue of plastics getting sorted in the new eidton. The only thing i wish they must incorporate is HID headlamps in the new car as the old one's lights need a little tweaking in the after sales market for full effectiveness. Secondly, from looks point of view, the spare wheel should remain where it is. I believe the new one has it under the belly which I say is not as macho as before.

Space, off roading ability, decent fuel economy, looksPlastics inside

I would like to inform you that since the time I have purchased my above car I have almost spent Rs.1,00,000/- due to some or the other mechanical or technical work.

1. Initially I had a very serious complain of the knocking noise of the steering rode joint. I initially use to sent the car at Wasan Motors at Kandivali. I had to send my car almost 3 time to rectify the same and on the third visit they changed some joint box of the steering rode.

2. At the same time the driving side external handle broke, as it is it is suppose to be this hard and so it just broke. For all this I have spent almost 25,000/-.

3. Then I decided to send my vehicle for servicing at Richard Garage because Wasan was not able to get my problems resolved and never on time.

4. Once very recently the gear rode of the car got jammed and some knocking sound started from my front left shock ups or excel.. I sent the car to Richard. They said the clutch has gone and will have to be replaced. After almost waiting for 10 days they asked me to pay Rs.22,000/-.

5. In spite of identifying the knocking sound from the front side which was quite noticeable they dint do any work for the same. I had to sent the car again.

6. Next time they said that the complete shock up and suspension including some centre rode has to be changed and would cost me Rs.16,000/-

7. After multiple reminders and false date of deliveries they gave the car after almost 16 days (including the earlier time).

Finally I decided to write to the official email of Tata Motors and I did. I appreciate that those people contacted me on phone and tried to connect me through conference also to Richard Garage. But I feel sorry that even they couldn't resolve my problem and as a result;

8. Today 18th Oct 12:15am,  4 days since I have picked my car from them I am travelling from Nashik to Mumbai and having a very hard time with the same jammed gear (and doesn't at all goes in 5th gear) with the same knocking sound from the steering rode had returned in my car. I have also noticed my car running more towards left, which the so called service superiors from Richard said that they would do the balancing & alignment. That means they have not done it at all. I will be sending my car again tomorrow at Richard Garage and I will not pick it until I receive any communication and solution from you or Tata Motor.

Dear sir, I used a Tata Safari last time for almost 4 years with 1lac Km's. I never had any such issues with it. After that I used a Honda CRV for 3 years and like a fool again took a Safari high end model. Once up on a time I had 6 to 7 Tata Sumo for my office use. Seriously speaking I feel either Tata Motor or there these idiot service centres have fooled me by this car. 

SizeService Centre's, Same old noicy body, Bad clutch, Gear's transmission, Steering Joint Noice Etc

Exterior

 Excellent & very attractive

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Excellent but some features like reverse guide camera or parking sensor not installed.. Comfortable seating experience for each and every passenger..

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Powerful engine with good fuel economy.. The gearbox sometimes gets stuck while engaging the 1st gear..

Ride Quality & Handling

 Smooth ride & it is suitable mainly for plains.. Not for hilly roads with sharp "V" turns.. Very small turning radius.. The car sometimes skids while applying sudden brakes due to excessive body weight.. If the clear lens fog lights are not turned on at night with heavy pasing-by traffic or rain then the visibility is poor with the company fitted headlights, due to it's height.. It's a tough car & the driver feels it..!!!

Final Words

 Excellent Indian made SUV and worth buying but let me tell you no car and company is perfect..!!! Every company may have products with defects while delivering to the customer but it gets rectified aftermath & so should Tata Motors also look after it..

Areas of improvement  

 CUSTOMER SERVICE..!!!!

 

Looks,power,ground clearance and road presence..Very poor customer service,small turning radius

 

Exterior BEAUTIFUL LOOKING VEHICLE. IT NEVER DID REALLY GO OUT OF FASHION OR LOOK OUTDATED . ITS LOOKS MUSCULER BUT MORE OF ELEGENCE THAN BUTCH.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) EXCELLENT AC , SLIGHTLY ODD DASHBOARD THOUGH . FEATURE FOR FEATURE ITS WAY AHEAD OF SOME OF THE CARS THAT ARE EVEN A SEGMENT AHEAD IN TERMS OF PRICING ( I AM TALKING OF THE VX MODEL ONLE HERE ) . SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE  APART FROM THE SINGLE SEATS AT THE REAR.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox AVERAGE IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, BUT AT THE PRICE I REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. 8-9 KMS/LT IN CITY BUT ALMOST 12KMS/LT ON THE HIGHWAY. GEARBOX IS THE LOW POINT IN MY CASE I SUPPOSE. VERY KNOTCHY AND SLOW.

Ride Quality & Handling HIGH ON BODY ROLL , LOTS OF BODY RATTLE , NO MATTER HOW MUCH  YOU SPEND ON THE MAINTENANCE . THE TYRE LOADED ON THE REAR DOOR IS SIMPLY TOO HEAVY FOR IT ..... IT CAN HARDLY BE EVER REPAIRED PERMANENTLY .QUALITY OF PLASTIC USED IS TRULY APPAULING . QUALITY OF RIDE IS NOT TOO BAD , AND SPEACIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY . ABS IS SOMEWHAT FAULTY. IN THE CITY THE CAR DOES TEND TO FEEL A LITTLE SLUGISH ....... SPECIALLY THE 3.0LT VERSION.

Final Words ALL IN ALL ITS NOT TOO BAD GOING BY THE PRICE. SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENT ALTHOUGH IS IMMENSE . REALLY HIGH ON MAINTENANCE BUT NEVER THE LESS A TRIED AND TESTED VEHICLE.

Areas of improvement NEEDS MUCH BETTER SUSPENSION, A NEW GENERATION 3.0LT ENGINE WILL SURELY GIVE IT THE MUCH REQUIRED LEVEL OF ATTENTION BY A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD DEFFINITELY GET 160+ BHP WITH A MUCH IMPROVED GEARBOX WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION . TYRE SHOULD BE SLIGHLY UPSIZED. IN TERMS OF BOTH WIDTH AND RADIUS . THE INCREASE IN PRICE SHOULD BE REALISTIC, AND LOWER THAN THE SUVS WITH SIMILER SPECS FROM FORD AND TOYOTA . I SUPPOSE A 3.0LT ENDINE, WILL ALSO GIVE IT A LEVERAGE FROM ALL IT'S CURRENT COMPETITORS MOST OF WHOM ARE ALSO POWERED WITH SIMILER 2.2LT 140 BHP ENGINE AS THE CURRENT SAFARI MODELS.

ROAD PRESENCE , VALUE FOR MONEY , COMFORT.AVAILABILITY OF SPARE PARTS , STAFFS AT THE SERVICE CENTERS ARE TERRIBLE .

 

Exterior A real bull, great presence on road, immediately grabs respect. The only deficiency i could find were the headlight bulbs which i promptly replaced with Osram Nightbreakers.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Great interiors by way of space, air conditioning and the Alpine music system. Never feels cramped for space on long drives or tired while driving. Ample space for all the luggage you could collect. Consider this to be 5-6 person vehicle, the rear jumpseats are not too comfortable for long journeys.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Fabulous engine - the torque and power enable very high in speed acceleration, making overtaking very easy. No complaints on gearbox or fuel economy. Crawling in the city traffic is no big deal for this bull, which is equally at home on the highway at 140kmph.

 

Ride Quality & Handling Very stable handling even at high speeds, braking without ABS feels OK.

 

Final Words Real value for money. Good SUV, does not need 4W unless you want to do heavy off roading.

 

Areas of improvement Reducing the turning radius would help in city traffic. Better headlight bulbs would improve night driving experience.

 

ride quality, handling, styling, spacehigh turning radius

Exterior I drive a black Safari Dicor VTT2, 2011 model. Veruy Good macho look.well built. Rusting is a big problem as I live in a costal area.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very Roomy. All my friends first remark when they get into the car is oh very spacious! Cheep plastics and swiches. Got spoiled in 6 months.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Up to 80 Km good after 80 not  economical. Had no issues with Gear ,now 70000 clocked.

Ride Quality & Handling Good off roader. Unstable a bit above 100 km. Very poor breaking. All Iron parts including body ,gets rusted soon. Both the side foot rests fell of due to rustion in 6 months.

Costal Auto Rahmundry,AP promised me a rear view mirror as a gift at the time of purchase.I did not get it until now after nany reminders I quit.

Very poor after sale service.If they unscrue any nut or bolts, better to check and and ask them to fit all.In most cases they leave a few of them.

Funnest thing is that they requst you through phone to give good feed back on service.Tata need to redisign the feedback form and method.I  think original feed back is not reaching the research team.

Final Words A good offroader with the value for money and a very bad after sales service.

Areas of improvement Breaks, Safty bags, Gaps in Body door etc. Plastics, Switches. Turning radius, Rustiong of iron.

Looks,Space,Price,Fuel economyBreaks,Turning radius,plastic, switches,after sale service

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Performanexcellent looks very empressive and good wheel base.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Not bad but cheap plastic,steering nosie.dul interior. Mindblowing space its very comfortable for long drive. ce is great ,Fuel Economy is also good as per it's engine but there is difficulty to put in reverse gear.engine of this car is very powerful very enjoyful while driving.While driving we don't feel we are sitting in such a big car its very easy to drive.

 

Ride Quality & Handling  Very very good handling as per its size making easy with power steering.

 

Final Words Very good car Iam feeling to proud to oweing that car you also try it.I think more stylish and good looking than mahindra scorpio.If you want a SUV I recommend you to buy this car

 

Areas of improvement Plastic quality in lower version ,gear should be smooth etc.TATA motors must improve there service.

 

Space,comfort,style,fuel economy is also not bad,great looksBad plastic,problem in reverse gear

Exterior You wanna roll like a baller? Then get this truck. Its looks are evergreen. Its been around 20 yrs and it still looks pleasing to the eye. Scorpio is overly done and XUV is trying to hard to look like an SUV and Storme looks like its female version. People will get out of your way when they see you rollin' like a boss. And the spare wheel on its boot adds more to its character.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior are minimalistic. It has everything you need to be comfortable but it lacks quality. Plastics are pathetic. Space inside can be compared to 1BHK apartment and seats, oh my god!, comfortable than sofa in my house. You can drive it or be driven in it all day long without any fatigue.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Its 140 horsepower so its good. Mine does 0-100 in 10.83 seconds. Pretty good for ~3 ton truck. Top speed achieved was 190kmph (speedo indicated. Do not try this). But its suffers from turbo lag below 1500 RPM. Above 1500 RPM, turbo kicks in and it goes like an elephant on steroids. Gearbox is kinda smooth but could have been better. Long throws. Fuel economy is pretty decent for size of this car. Returns around 10 KMPL in city and around 15KMPL on highways. With a 65L fuel tank its a mile munching machine.

Ride Quality & Handling Not exaggerating but on this side of 40 Lakhs, I think its ride quality is best. Absorbs potholes like they don't exist. Steering has play in it and it can't be cured. Has a lot of body roll so do not drive it like a race car. And yes. Every U-Turn you make will be a memorable one beacuse its turning radius is very huge.

Final Words Go for it if you like it. I was a Safari fanatic from my childhood that's why I got DiCOR, not Storme. Its the Royal Enfield of cars. Gone are the days when Tata had terrible service backup. Service quality is somehow comparable to maruti's. Every car has its Pros and Cons but the moment I start it in the morning, I forget all of its flaws and feel happy that I got it.

Areas of improvement Interiors, turning radius.

Looks, Power, Ride Quality, Tough, Off-road capabilities, Value for money, Road presence, ServiceInterior quality, turbo lag, turning radius

My dad bought this car when I was 9 years old. I was not so very amazed by it at first. But everything changed when the full potential of the car was squeezed out. For the reader's kind attention: It is a long review so please take some time to read it. The power of the engine, my god!!!!, it's marvelous. It feels like the engine is bolted to your back and you will enjoy while driving this beast. You can just cruise on the highway. You will become very confident while driving this beauty. It has a good amount of space and no problem in space. Comfort is at the next level. I would like to share an incident. During the year 2014, whole Chennai was affected by the flood. No power supply or no transportation facility, but only water everywhere. My grandmother was in the hospital. She wasn't willing to stay there and she wanted to come home. The hospital refused to provide the ambulance. Then we decided to bring her home with our Safari. Our street was full of water. The water just covered our Safari's bonnet. Swimming through the water we brought my grandmother from the hospital [ NOTE: WE HAD A 4x2 SAFARI]. The thing is we didn't face any problem but the starter motor was damaged and the number plate got washed away. It is the most safest SUV ever. So talking about Cons, the vehicle is big and lengthy and it is difficult to make a U-Turn and plastics are so cheap. High maintenance. High cost of spare parts and it is difficult to get a few parts. You would not like to sell this car once you have driven it. CONCLUSION: You will feel like a king when you drive it on the highways and the truth is you will emotionally get attached to the car easily.