Tata Safari

The Safari is Tata's largest SUV, a three-row family hauler built on the same platform as the Harrier but stretched to seat six or seven. It leans on a single 2.0-litre diesel, a confident road presence and a 5-star crash record rather than outright off-road ability. Pitched below the Toyota Innova and German rivals, it targets buyers who want space, image and safety without stepping into premium-badge price territory.

On the move the Safari feels exactly like what it is: a big, heavy SUV tuned for comfort over agility. The 2.0-litre diesel pulls strongly once past 1,800rpm and settles into a relaxed cruise, though it sounds gruff when worked hard and the six-speed automatic can be slow to kick down. The ride is the highlight, soaking up broken roads and speed breakers with a maturity few rivals match, while the steering stays light and easy in town. Push through corners and the height and weight show, so this is a car to waft in, not hustle.

Inside, the cabin is the most convincing part of the package. The dashboard feels genuinely upmarket in top trims, with a large touchscreen, a digital cluster, ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof. Space in the first two rows is generous, and the captain-chair variants are properly comfortable. The third row, as with most SUVs this size, is best left to children or short trips, and accessing it eats into an already modest boot when all seats are up.

Tata's recent facelift sharpened the styling and lifted perceived quality, but a few familiar gripes remain. Some plastics lower down feel cheaper than the price suggests, the touchscreen software can stutter, and long-term reliability and service consistency still trail the established Japanese players. There is no petrol or hybrid option either, which narrows its appeal for low-running city buyers.

Where the Safari earns its keep is value and safety. You get a lot of metal, equipment and road presence for the money, plus a 5-star Global NCAP result that genuinely matters to family buyers. For the school run, weekend highway trips and the occasional full load of passengers, it covers the brief convincingly.