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2023 Tata Safari Review: Extreme Makeover
In 2019, Tata Motors took the covers off the Buzzard concept at the Geneva Motor Show, showing off a 7-seater concept based on the Harrier SUV. A year later it was shown to the Indian public as the Tata Gravitas at Auto Expo 2020 before launching as the second coming of the Safari in early 2021.
Now, over two and half years after Tata revived the iconic Safari nameplate, the SUV bearing that badge has undergone an extreme makeover just like its smaller sibling - the 2023 Tata Harrier.
So have the changes to the 2023 Tata Safari made it an even more friendly SUV for those with large families? We drove the new 2023 Tata Safari near Pune to get the answers.
2023 Tata Safari Review: The Changes - New Looks & Lot More Tech
Like the new Harrier, the 2023 Tata Safari has undergone quite a mid-cycle facelift when it comes to the exterior design. Like its smaller sibling, the Safari looks sharper and more purposeful than before.
The new Parametric grille looks even more dramatic than on the updated Harrier. The upper section sports bod-coloured inserts and the Tata badge. The lower section features black inserts along with the radar sensor and an air intake while sitting above the silver bash plate at the front.
A full-width LED DRL setup runs above the upper section of the grille. The sections on either side act as sequential turn signals. The bi-LED projector headlights and the fog lights sit in their own enclosures on the edges of the front bumper and the section connecting these two pods enhances the split grille design.
The sides of the new 2023 Safari remain mostly unchanged with flared wheelarches and the blacked-out A, B & C pillars and roof. The wheelarches which feature black cladding play host to new dual-tone Spider alloy wheels that range in size from 17 to 19 inches depending on the chosen personality (variant for normal folk).
The rear section of the Safari sports a roof-mounted spoiler featuring the upper brake light. The rear taillights are completely new connected LED units while the rear foglamps and reflectors sit in their own pods on the edges of the rear bumper.
Also seen is a silver rear bashplate which also hosts the sensor for the powered rear tailgate. Wave your foot around the sensor if encumbered by groceries and the tailgate will open automatically for you. The Safari badge can be seen on the tailgate as well as on the driver's and front passenger's doors.
Step inside those doors and you're greeted by a heavily updated cabin that is bristling with tech and oodles of space. The redesigned dashboard features ambient lighting which can also be seen on the doors and the edges of the massive panoramic sunroof.
The new dashboard also sports a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and also acts as a display for the 360-degree camera. Owners can also access the second-gen iRA connected car suite through the menus.
Also seen on the dashboard is a large 10.25-inch digital driver's display that gives you all the info you need on the go including navigation, meaning drivers no longer have to take their eyes off the road to check on the next turn in their journey.
Sitting just ahead of the driver's display is the new dual-tone four-spoke steering wheel. The wheel sports an illuminated Tata logo at its centre along with capacitive buttons and regular switchgear to control various aspects of the new 2023 Tata Safari.
Other highlights include the powered front seats. The driver's front seat gets both welcome and memory functionality while the front passenger seat features controls on its sides allowing the person sitting behind them to move the seat forward and backwards to get the best possible room for themselves (dubbed Boss mode by Tata).
Both the front and second row of seats are ventilated which helps on hot days here in our subcontinent when the mercury really rises to unbearable levels. For further protection from the sun, the rear windows feature sun shields, though these need to be deployed manually. The second row of seats also offers some rather comfy headrests.
A panoramic sunroof is also included to add to the comfort and luxurious feeling inside the cabin. In terms of entertainment, Tata has equipped the Harrier with a nine-speaker system from JBL that literally fills up the cabin with sound. To round it off, there’s smart access with push button start/stop offered as standard.{
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The third row of seats still isn't the easiest to access for those looking for a quick getaway but the space on offer will be more than enough for most adults and kids. The seats are draped in Oyster White leatherette upholstery which will be quite a chore to keep spick and span for the OCD neat freaks out there.
Safety Update: The new Tata Safari facelift and its updated 5-seater sibling, the Harrier were the first two vehicles to be tested by Bharat NCAP and came out with flying colours,scoring 5 stars each.
2023 Tata Safari Review: What's Remained The Same - Everything Mechanical & The Space Inside
The 2023 Tata Safari retains its predecessor's mechanical bits. So under the bonnet, you'll still find the Stellantis-sourced 2.0-litre Kryotec, turbocharged inline, four-pot diesel.
The diesel engine still puts out 168bhp at 3,750 rpm and 350Nm of peak torque between 1,750 and 2,500rpm. The engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic sourced from Hyundai.
On the go, the engine and automatic gearbox combo (which we got to drive) work rather well. Depending on the driving mode (Eco, City & Sport), the drivetrain alters power delivery and gear shifts.
If you want all the boost, stay in sport while Eco is for the mile munchers with the automatic box shifting quickly to keep the revs low. Manual control is available with the new paddle shifter making these shifts easier than before.
The steering is on the sharper side though this depends on the driving mode you're in. At higher speeds, the steering does feel a bit too sharp. The all-wheel disc brake setup is offered on all models though that brake pedal still feels like it has too much travel before you get the anchors to bite.
The suspension setup is on the softer side and the new 2023 Safari glides over potholes and bumps with ease. Due to the extra weight, the Safari feels a lot more planted than the Harrier and the ground clearance of 200mm is more than enough to keep you happy on even the worst of our roads.
On the go, the soft suspension and the comfortable seats make journies in the 2023 Safari enjoyable allowing you to go long distances with ease. If you're on the taller side, we recommend giving the third row of seats a miss. Also if you need more luggage space and aren't carrying the full load of people, folding the third row flat allows for more room for storage.
While the terrain response system is available, we recommend you keep this Safari in the milder trails as anything heavy requires four-wheel-drive, something we wish Tata would hurry up and get done for the Safari.
2023 Tata Safari Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - A Much-Needed Makeover
The Tata Safari when it came out in 2021 looked exactly like the Harrier with just a bit extra over the rear. While the new changes to the design have made it look more imposing than before, the new Safari also looks a bit different from its five-door sibling thanks to the subtle tweaks both on the outside and cabin.
Add in all the tech and the goodies inside the cabin, and the new 2023 Tata Safari really does feel like a flagship on its own. And with personalities galore, the new Safari can be had in just about every form you'll need (except for four-wheel drive, come on Tata get to it. Dammit).
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