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May 2023 - Tata Safari Diesel Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

In this variant explained article, you'll find out which variant of the Tata Safari diesel you should buy based on the ex-showroom prices, variant-wise features and value for money. Here we compare and objectively analyse the Safari's diesel variants and the features to figure out which variant is worth buying for a good value for money and ownership experience. Then we will compare the engine specs, dimensions and mileage of the Tata Safari with other diesel-powered D1-segment SUVs with 3 rows of seating like the Mahindra XUV700 7-seat and the MG Hector Plus.

 

Tata Safari

Updated: This update of the Tata Safari diesel variants explained article includes the buying recommendation and feature details as of May 2023.

Also Read: Tata Harrier Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Hyundai Alcazar Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Tata Safari Diesel?

The pros or advantages of Tata Safari diesel are:

  • Best-in-class ground clearance of 205mm
  • Respectable mileage numbers for diesel-manual and automatic powertrain
  • Offers ventilated 2nd row captain seats as segment-first feature for a negligible incremental cost over XZ Plus 7-seat variant
  • Automatic transmission is available in all variants but XE and XM variants
  • Choice of getting the fairly loaded XZ variant without the sunroof
  • ADAS features in top-spec XZ Plus (O) variant

The Tata Safari diesel has the following shortcomings or problems:

  • No petrol engine option
  • Overpriced XM and stripped XE variants don’t justify the ex-showroom price for the features they offer
  • No 4-wheel drive option
  • The value-for-money XMS variant doesn’t get several must-have features we expect from a car at this price point
  • ADAS features are only available with automatic transmission
  • A rare car with ADAS but no adaptive cruise control feature

What Is The Price Of Tata Safari Diesel Variants?

The Tata Safari is available in 7 main variants — XE, XM, XMS, XT Plus, XZ, XZ Plus and XZ Plus (O). Except for the top model, all of these are available with a manual transmission. Meanwhile, the automatic transmission is available in all but lower XE and XM variants. The automatic transmission carries a flat Rs. 1.30 lakh premium over the comparable manual transmission variant.

The higher end XZ Plus and XZ Plus (O) trims are also available with 6-seat option for an additional Rs. 10,000. 

TATA SAFARI DIESEL | PRICES

EX-SHOWROOM | MAY 2023

Variant

Diesel MT

Difference

Diesel AT

XE

Rs. 15,64,400

-

-

XM

Rs. 17,14,900

-

-

XMS

Rs. 18,46,000

Rs. 1,30,000

Rs. 19,76,000

XT Plus

Rs. 19,62,900

Rs. 1,30,000

Rs. 20,92,900

XZ

Rs. 20,47,900

Rs. 1,30,000

Rs. 21,77,900

XZ Plus

Rs. 22,16,500

Rs. 1,30,000

Rs. 23,46,500

XZ Plus (O)

-

-

Rs. 24,46,500

Note: Check your Car EMI with our - Car EMI Calculator

Tata Safari Diesel XE - Base Model Features & Review

The base XE variant of the Tata Safari diesel costs Rs. 15.64 lakh (ex-showroom) and is only available with a manual transmission. The most notable features of the Safari XE are:

  • All disc brakes
  • Sunglass holder
  • Manual central locking
  • Split 2nd and 3rd row seatbacks
  • 2nd row seatback recline
  • 16-inch steel wheel with covers
  • Black outside mirrors
  • Body-coloured door handles and bumpers
  • Halogen projector headlamps
  • Tilt and telescopic steering
  • Front armrest
  • ESC, HSA, TC
  • All power windows
  • Day/night inside mirror

For the price and segment of the Safari, the base variant is missing several must-have features like:

  • Touchscreen music system
  • Steering-mounted controls
  • Power mirrors (must-have for a wide car)
  • Height-adjustable driver seat
  • Auto AC
  • Remote central locking
  • TPMS

With so many features missing in the base XE variant of a car, we can’t recommend anyone to buy this variant. It’s even more disappointing to see that a car costing Rs. 15.64 lakh (ex-showroom) is missing these features.

TATA SAFARI XE

BASE MODEL FEATURES

Safety

Functional

Style

Std. safety features

Tilt & telescopic steering

Halogen DRLs

Halogen projector headlamps

All power windows

Roof rails

Electronic stability control

60-40 split 2nd row w/ recline

Roof spoiler

Hill start assist

Front centre armrest w/ storage

Body coloured door handles

Traction control

50-50 3rd row seat backs

16-inch styled steel wheels

Roll-over mitigation

Rear USB chargers

Body coloured bumpers

Brake disc wiping

Front passenger seat slide from rear (manual boss mode)

Black outside mirrors w/ turn indicators

Central locking

Adjustable headrests

 

Corner stability control

Cabin lights

 

Day/night inside mirror

3rd row AC vents

 

Anti-theft alarm

Sunglass holder

 

Rear disc brakes

   

Tata Safari Diesel XE vs XM Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The XM variant costs Rs. 17.15 lakh and it’s Rs. 1.51 lakh more expensive than the base model. This one is also available with a manual transmission only.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XE

Difference

XM

Manual

Rs. 15,64,400

Rs. 1,50,500

Rs. 17,14,900

For the additional cost, it adds the following notable features:

  • 7-inch touchscreen
  • Steering-mounted control
  • 4x speakers and 2x tweeters
  • Display for rear parking sensors
  • Rear washer wiper
  • Front fog lamps
  • Remote central locking
  • Power mirrors
  • Drive modes
  • Height-adjustable driver seat

While it offers some must-have and some good-to-have features, it still doesn't offer following features we expect from a Rs. 17.0 - 18.0 lakh SUV:

  • Android Auto
  • Apple Carplay
  • Cruise control
  • Alloy wheels
  • Rear armrest
  • Auto AC
  • Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
  • Rear camera
  • Sunroof (any size)
  • Cruise control
  • TPMS

TATA SAFARI XM

FEATURES OVER XE

Safety

Entertainment

Functional

Front fog lamps

7-inch touchscreen

Multi drive modes - Eco, City, Sport

Display for parking sensors

Steering-mounted controls

Follow-me-home headlamps

Rear wiper & washer

4x speakers

Remote central locking

 

2x tweeters

Height-adjustable driver seat

   

Power mirrors

Considering the Rs. 1.51 lakh price gap, the list of additional features is too short while also missing several must-have features. It also offers the lowest value for money score among all Safari variants. So, we can’t recommend the XM variant of the Safari either to buyers.

Tata Safari Diesel XM vs XMS Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The XMS variant costs Rs. 18.46 lakh and it’s Rs. 1.31 lakh more expensive than the lower XM model. This is the most affordable variant of the Safari with an automatic transmission, which costs Rs. 19.76 lakh. This price is Rs. 1.30 lakh more than that of the XMS diesel-manual.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XM

Difference

XMS

Manual

Rs. 17,14,900

Rs. 1,31,100

Rs. 18,46,000

Difference

-

 

Rs. 1,30,000

Automatic

-

-

Rs. 19,76,000

For the additional cost, it adds the following notable features:

  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Wired Android Auto and Apple Carplay
  • Auto headlamps and wipers
  • Rear camera

TATA SAFARI XMS

FEATURES OVER XM

Style & Safety

Entertainment

Functional

Rear camera

Larger 10.25-inch touchscreen

Power-folding mirrors

Panoramic sunroof

Apple Carplay

Auto wipers

 

Android Auto

Auto headlamps

 

Voice command

USB C charger in front

 

+2x tweeters

 

Even the XMS variant is missing some features like:

  • Cruise control
  • Alloy wheels
  • Rear armrest
  • Auto AC
  • Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system

Because of a high-value feature like the sunroof, the XMS variant better justifies the price gap over the lower variants. So, it’s worth buying if you don’t want to stretch your budget further. However, we will strongly suggest stretching your budget for a higher variant.

Tata Safari Diesel XMS vs XT Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Safari XT Plus variant is the next in line with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 19.63 lakh for the manual and Rs. 20.93 lakh for the automatic transmission. This variant is Rs. 1.17 lakh pricier than the lower XMS variant. Here too, the automatic transmission carries a price premium of Rs. 1.30 lakh over the manual transmission.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XMS

Difference

XT Plus

Manual

Rs. 18,46,000

Rs. 1,16,900

Rs. 19,62,900

Difference

Rs. 1,30,000

 

Rs. 1,30,000

Automatic

Rs. 19,76,000

Rs. 1,16,900

Rs. 20,92,900

The XT Plus variants add the following notable features:

  • 18-inch alloys
  • Soft-touch dashboard
  • Lumbar adjustment for driver seat
  • Rear armrest with cup holders
  • Keyless entry with push-button start
  • Air purifier
  • Cruise control
  • Auto AC
  • Tyre pressure sensors

It’s worth noting that this variant still doesn’t offer the following features:

  • Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
  • LED or HID headlamps

TATA SAFARI XT PLUS

FEATURES OVER XMS

Others

Functional

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Rear armrest w/ cup holder

Rear defogger

Auto AC

Soft-touch dashboard

Air purifier

LED DRLs

Adjustable lower back support for driver

18-inch alloy wheels

Keyless entry w/ push-button start/stop

 

Connected-car tech

 

Cruise control

The XT Plus variant is suitable for you if you want a decent ownership experience but don’t want to compromise on value either. However, the sunroof is one of the features, with a high perceived value helping it justify the incremental cost over the base model. The XT Plus variant is also our top recommendation for all Safari buyers looking for a nice balance of value and ownership experience. If you want more features and have a higher budget, then you should consider one of the higher variants.

Tata Safari Diesel XT Plus vs XZ Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Safari XZ variant costs Rs. 85,000 more over the XT Plus. The XZ diesel-manual costs Rs. 20.48 lakh while the automatic carries an ex-showroom price of Rs. 21.78 lakh.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XT Plus

Difference

XZ

Manual

Rs. 19,62,900

Rs. 85,000

Rs. 20,47,900

Difference

Rs. 1,30,000

 

Rs. 1,30,000

Automatic

Rs. 20,92,900

Rs. 85,000

Rs. 21,77,900

For the higher asking price, the XZ variant adds the following notable features over the XZ variant:

  • Machined alloy wheels
  • Wireless phone charger
  • Wireless smartphone connectivity
  • Leather upholstery
  • 7-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster
  • Auto-dimming inside mirror
  • JBL sound system with subwoofer
  • +4x airbags
  • 6-way power driver seat

TATA SAFARI XZ

FEATURES OVER XT PLUS

Safety

Entertainment & Functional

Style

HID projector headlamps

JBL audio system w/ subwoofer & amplifier

Dual-tone interior

2x front side thorax airbags

Terrain response modes - normal, rough, wet

Leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear knob

2x curtain airbags

6-way powered driver seat

Leather upholstery

Hill descent control

Wireless phone charger

Shark-fin antenna

ISOFIX

Wireless Apple Carplay

7-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster

Electronic parking brake w/ auto hold

Wireless Android Auto

Machined alloy wheels

Auto dimming inside mirror

 

(-) Panoramic sunroof

Cornering lamps function

   

Most of these features are good-to-have. But the asking price is reasonable for these features. It’s worth noting that the XZ variant doesn’t get the sunroof, which is available in the XT Plus variant. So, the XZ becomes an easy recommendation for buyers who want the upmarket features but without the sunroof.

Tata Safari Diesel XZ vs XZ Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Safari XZ Plus trim is the next in line with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 22.17 lakh for the diesel-manual powertrain and Rs. 23.47 lakh for the diesel-automatic. This variant is Rs. 1.69 lakh pricier than the lower XZ variant. For another Rs. 10,000, you can also buy it with a 6-seater layout, which gets captain seats in the 2nd row instead of a bench.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XZ

Difference

XZ Plus

Difference

XZ Plus 6S

Manual

Rs. 20,47,900

Rs. 1,68,600

Rs. 22,16,500

Rs. 10,000

Rs. 22,26,500

Difference

Rs. 1,30,000

 

Rs. 1,30,000

 

Rs. 1,30,000

Automatic

Rs. 21,77,900

Rs. 1,68,600

Rs. 23,46,500

Rs. 10,000

Rs. 23,56,500

The XZ PLus variant adds the following features over the XZ:

  • 360-degree camera
  • 4-way power front passenger seat
  • Electric front seat slide forward
  • Optional captain seats
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Ventilated 2nd row seats (with 6-seat layout only)
  • Memory and welcome feature for power driver seat

TATA SAFARI XZ PLUS

FEATURES OVER XZ

Safety & Style

Functional

360-degree camera

Memory and

welcome feature w/ driver seat

Driver fatigue alert

4-way power co-driver seat

Multi collision brakes

Electric Boss Mode

Panic brake alert

Ventilated front seats

Panoramic sunroof w/ blue mood lights

Ventilated captain seat in 2nd row (option)

Ambient lighting

Winged comfort head restraints on 2nd row seats

The XZ Plus variant is for buyers who want a higher-end experience without compromising on the ownership experience and value. If you want ADAS, then the XZ (O) becomes your only option. Let’s see what features it adds over the XZ Plus.

Tata Safari Diesel XZ Plus vs XZ Plus (O) Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Safari XZ Plus (O) variant costs Rs. 1.0 lakh more than the XZ Plus variant and it’s only available with an automatic transmission. Just like the lower variant, this one is also available with the 6-seat configuration for an additional Rs. 10,000. It carries an ex-showroom price of Rs. 24.47 lakh if you opt for the 7-seat setup and Rs. 24.57 lakh (ex-showroom) if you buy it with the captain chairs in the 2nd row.

TATA SAFARI | PRICES

 

XZ Plus

Difference

XZ Plus (O)

6-seat Manual

Rs. 22,26,500

-

-

Difference

Rs. 10,000

 

-

7-seat Manual

Rs. 22,16,500

-

-

Difference

Rs. 1,30,000

 

-

7-seat Auto

Rs. 23,46,500

Rs. 1,00,000

Rs. 24,46,500

Difference

Rs. 10,000

 

Rs. 10,000

6-seat Auto

Rs. 23,56,500

Rs. 1,00,000

Rs. 24,56,500

The XZ Plus (O) top model gets the following notable features:

  • Auto emergency brake assist
  • Forward collision warning
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • Lane departure warning
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Lane change alert
  • Rear collision warning
  • Blind spot alert
  • High-beam assist

Even with so many features, you may miss the most obvious ADAS feature in this car - adaptive cruise control.

TATA SAFARI XZ PLUS (O)

FEATURES OVER XZ PLUS

Safety & ADAS

Autonomous emergency brake assist

Forward collision warning

Blind spot alert

Rear cross traffic alert

High beam assist

Lane departure warning

Door open alert

Traffic sign recognition

Rear collision warning

Lane change alert

The XZ Plus (O) variant is only available with the automatic transmission and it’s the only choice for Safari buyers who want ADAS. We wish Tata also offered the adaptive cruise control feature. But, even without it, this variant justifies its cost because of high-value ADAS safety features. On the value front alone, it’s a solid choice among the Safari automatic variants.

Which Variant Of The Tata Safari Diesel Should You Buy?

Among Safari's diesel-manual variants, the base XE and even the XM are too basic. So, we’ll suggest you skip these 2 options. From there, the XMS justifies the incremental cost with the sunroof. So, if you absolutely don’t want to stretch your budget further, then the XMS is a good option. However, if you can stretch your budget further, then you should absolutely make the jump to the XT Plus variant. It’s our top recommendation and it offers a good balance between value and ownership experience with must-have as well as good-to-have features.

The XZ variant is for buyers who want an upmarket ownership experience but don’t want a sunroof. While it seems to compromise on the value front, this is mainly because it doesn’t get the sunroof, which is a high-value feature. Finally, the XZ Plus is also a good option if you want good value and all the high-end features. Moreover, it’s also the only Safari variant with a manual transmission and ventilated captain chairs in the 2nd row.

TATA SAFARI DIESEL-MANUAL

BUYING RECOMMENDATION

Variant

VFM Rank

Price

Recommendation

XE

Rank 1

Rs. 15,64,400

Not recommended. Too basic.

XM

Rank 6

Rs. 17,14,900

Not recommended. Poor value for money.

XMS

Rank 5

Rs. 18,46,000

For those on a tight budget.

XT Plus

Rank 3

Rs. 19,62,900

Top recommended.

XZ

Rank 4

Rs. 20,47,900

For those who do not want the sunroof.

XZ Plus

Rank 2

Rs. 22,16,500

Can upgrade for added safety w/out compromise in value.

For the Safari automatic buyers too, we’ll strongly suggest buying at least the XTA Plus variant for its balanced set of features and value. From there, the jump to XZA is suitable for buyers who don’t want a sunroof. The XZA Plus is also a suitable upgrade option with a decent value score and so is the XZA Plus. The top 2 variants of the Safari diesel-automatic also get the option of captain chairs in the 2nd row, which also get 4 ventilated seats. Thus, these 6-seater versions carry a higher recommendation for buyers who are going with the XZA Plus or the XZA Plus (O) variants of the Tata Safari.

TATA SAFARI DIESEL-AUTOMATIC

BUYING RECOMMENDATION

Variant

VFM Rank

Price

Recommendation

XMAS

Rank 5

Rs. 19,76,000

Not recommended

XTA Plus

Rank 1

Rs. 20,92,900

Top recommended

XZA

Rank 4

Rs. 21,77,900

For those who do not want the sunroof

XZA Plus

Rank 3

Rs. 23,46,500

Can upgrade for added safety w/out much compromise in value

XZA Plus (O)

Rank 2

Rs. 24,46,500

Can upgrade for ADAS w/out much compromise in value

What Are The Engine Specifications Of The Tata Safari Diesel?

The Safari is a D1-segment SUV with 3-row of seating. It offers optional captain seats in the second row with the XZ Plus and XZ Plus (O) variants. Hector Plus and the 3-row XUV700 are its prime rivals offering a similar seating configuration and a diesel engine option. However, among these, the XUV700 doesn’t have a captain seat option.

The Hector Plus also has a 2.0L diesel engine, which makes the same power and torque output with similar mileage figures too, with the manual transmission. So, the Safari beats it with the option of an automatic transmission.

The Tata Safari’s other prime rival is the Mahindra XUV700, which has a 2.2L turbo diesel engine. The XUV700 diesel makes a higher 185PS of power and a considerably higher 420Nm of torque with the manual transmission. With the automatic, this engine makes an ever higher 450Nm of torque. While we don’t know the efficiency numbers of the XUV700 diesel, for a D1-segment diesel SUV, it has considerably better performance. In terms of fuel efficiency, the fact that Mahindra haven’t revealed the figures suggests that they are probably considerably lower than those of the Hector Plus and Safari.

TATA SAFARI DIESEL vs RIVALS

ENGINE SPEC COMPARISON

 

Safari

XUV700 7-Seat

Hector Plus

Engine

2.0L Turbo

2.2L Turbo

2.2L Turbo

2.0L Turbo

Cylinder

4

4

4

4

Displacement

1956cc

2184cc

2184cc

1956cc

Power

170PS @ 3750rpm

185S @ 3500rpm

185S @ 3500rpm

170PS @ 3750rpm

Peak Torque

350Nm @ 1750 - 2500rpm

420Nm @ 1600 - 2800rpm

450Nm @ 1750 - 2800rpm

350Nm @ 1750 - 2500rpm

Manual

6-speed

6-speed

-

6-speed

Manual FE

16.14kmpl

NA

-

16.17kmpl

Automatic

6-speed TC

-

6-speed TC

-

Auto FE

14.08kmpl

-

NA

-

*Estimated

You can use our Fuel Cost Calculator to see how much any petrol, diesel or CNG car will cost to run based on the latest fuel price in your city.

Fuel Cost Calculator in India

What Are The Dimensions Of The Tata Safari?

The Tata Safari is shorter than the Hector Plus and XUV700 but it has the segment-best 205mm ground clearance. Just like the mileage figures, Mahindra haven’t revealed the ground clearance and boot space numbers either. They are most likely less than stellar for this segment but until we get official figures, we can’t comment on them. With the information we have right now, it looks like the Safari has the credentials to offer an imposing road presence.

TATA SAFARI VS COMPETITION

DIMENSION COMPARISON

 

Safari

Hector Plus

Mahindra XUV700 7S

Length

4661mm

4720mm

4695mm

Width

1894mm

1835mm

1890mm

Height

1786mm

1760mm

1755mm

Wheelbase

2741mm

2750mm

2750mm

Ground Clearance

205mm

192mm

NA

Boot Space

447L (2-row)

910L (1-row)

155L (3-row)

530L (2-row)

NA

Fuel Tank

50L

60L

60L

Tyre Size (Base)

235/70 R16

215/60 R17

235/65 R17

Tyre Size (Top)

235/60 R18

215/55 R18

235/60 R18

Find out how you can get the best mileage or fuel efficiency from your car:

10 Tips To Get Better Mileage From Your Petrol, Diesel Or CNG Car

What Are The Colour Options Of The Tata Safari Diesel?

The Safari diesel is available in the following 7 exterior colour options:

  • White (XE variant only has white colour option)
  • Dark blue
  • Light blue
  • Grey
  • Black (dark edition only)

Note: Here is a quick look at our length-based segmentation of cars to give you an idea of how we are classifying cars based on their size.

CLASSIFICATION OF CARS

UPDATED: MARCH 2023

SEGMENT

LENGTH

BODY STYLES

EXAMPLE

A Segment

< 3699mm

Hatchback

Alto K10, Celerio

SUV (Micro)

Exception: Kwid

S-Presso

       

B1 Segment

3700 - 3850mm

Hatchback

Grand i10 Nios, Swift, Tiago

SUV (Mini)

Punch, Ignis, Tiago NRG

       

B2 Segment

3850 - 3999mm

Hatchback

Altroz, Baleno, i20

Sedan

Dzire, Amaze, Aura

MPV

Triber

SUV (Sub-Compact)

Brezza, Nexon, Venue, Magnite, Fronx, C3, Kiger, Fronx, Sonet, XUV300

Off-Road

Thar, Jimny

       

C1 Segment

4000 - 4399mm

SUV (Compact)

Kushaq, Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, XUV400, Hyryder, Taigun, XUV400

MPV

Ertiga

       

C2 Segment

4400 - 4599mm

Sedan

City, Verna, Ciaz, Slavia, Virtus

SUV (Mid-size)

Alcazar, Scorpio Classic

MPV

Carens, XL6

       

D1 Segment

4600 - 4799mm

SUV (Large)

Exception: Harrier (2mm less)

XUV700, Innova Hycross, Hector, Safari, Hector Plus, Scorpio N, Ioniq 5, Kodiaq

Sedan

Octavia

MPV

Innova Crysta

       

D2 Segment

> 4800mm

SUV (Full-size)

Exception: Fortuner (5mm less)

Gloster

MPV

Carnival

Sedan

Superb, Camry

Also Read: Car Segments Explained - With Body Styles And Example

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mahesh Yadav

Mahesh is a fan of compact, quirky and underrated vehicles that punch above their weight. Multix, Nano and Navi are his favorites.

1 Comments

  1. J Joytan says:
    October 10 2022 18:52:57

    Thanks Mahesh & the v3cars.com team for this comprehensive and incredibly well laid out article. It was most useful and essential reading to help untangle this maddening maze of Safari variants that Tata has (rather unnecessarily!) unleashed upon us! Thank you.

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