Tata Safari Storme: The Real SUV Review

Tata Safari Legacy

There have been a lot of questions about the Tata Safari Storme. Let's not forget the Tata Safari is India's first indigenous SUV, with a legacy of over a decade. On that note, we take a look at how the Tata Safari Storme holds up in terms of Styling, Performance and Comfort?

Tata Safari Storme Prices

• 4*2 LX INR 9.95 lakhs
• 4*2 EX INR 10.85 lakhs
• 4*2 VX INR 12.58 lakhs
• 4*4 VX INR 13.80 lakhs

***[ex-showroom, Bangalore]



Safari Stormes The Road

Design and dimension affects every aspect of a car. The Storme's vehicle stance is that of a SUV. However, if you compare the Safari Storme's road presence with Mahindra's Cheetah [XUV500], the winner is the XUV and not this SUV. The new generation Storme has been given a sporty grille, power bulge on the bonnet and PES eagle eyed shaped headlamps for better illumination and unwanted glare.

On a design scale it unfortunately does not score too high. On the other hand, if you love contemporary SUV Styling then you will love the new generation Safari Storme.



Safari Storme Looks & Style

Aerodynamically designed spoilers, new pull-type door handles and ergonomically designed side foot-steps, ensure easy entry and exit.

The tailgate trim comes in an all-new guise of ergonomically designed grab handles. The new chrome-tipped twin exhausts add to the sporty demeanour of the vehicle.



Safari Stormes The Journey

If you are on a journey to Re-claim your life and you spend most of the time driving on highways, the refined 2.2 liter VariCOR Engine, turbocharged with VTT (Variable Turbine Technology) will bring a smile to your face. The engine is tuned in such a way that it provides easy drivability.

For the performance-minded soul, the Safari Storme hurricanes out 140 PS and 320 NM of torque and for the fuel-minded SUV owner the 4x2 variant is said to provide fuel efficiency of 14kmpl and the 4x4 is said to return fuel efficiency of 13.2 kmpl. However, our testing playground was not the perfect layout to review these figures.

The Storme range is available in four variants, LX, EX, VX (4x2 and 4x4), in seven vibrant colours - Urban Bronze, Sardinia Red, Pearl White, Pearl Champagne, Astern Black, Arctic White, Arctic Silver.



Safari Stormes The Weekends

The Safari Storme will delight you on a weekend drive. When it comes to a long drive, the Safari Storme's roominess keeps you comfortable.

Here is an image which gives you a clear picture of the second row leg room and head room in the Safari Storme. If we have to compare the Safari Storme to the XUV 500 the Storme wins in this aspect.



Safari Stormes The Weekends

The luxurious, airy and beige interiors endow the Safari Storme with opulence. There is ample leg space and headroom to accommodate the family, and also plenty of luggage space for weekend drives.

The vehicle also comes equipped with a dual-AC with a separate integrated roof mounted blower for rear passengers which will keep them fresh during long weekend drives.



Safari Stormes The Weekends

Tata has paid close attention to your long drives. The Storme now features an underfloor mounted spare wheel, which is very easy to access during a puncture.

However we feel with an underfloor mounted spare wheel, the Storme has lost a bit of its oomph factor in terms of design. However, having said that, what really matters is a hassle free drive.



Safari Stormes The Weekends

The vehicle has vacuum assisted independent hydraulic, ventilated disc brakes on all four- wheels and a 4 channel ABS with EBD, which helps in keeping the vehicle under control, during emergency braking conditions. And while we pushed the Storme to its limits, the braking really won us over the XUV500s subtle braking.



Safari Stormes The Weekends

If you are an off-roading enthusiast, you will soon realize the Safari Storme takes on challenging terrains with ease. On the other hand, The XUV 500s suspension feels more timid.

The Double Wishbone Suspension on the Storme helps control the motion of the wheel throughout suspension travel.

Double Wishbone Suspension [History] - The Double Wishbone Suspension has been around for a very long time. This independent suspension design was introduced in 1930's and French carmaker Citreon was one of the first to use it in 1934.



Safari Storme Features

The Storme features a new instrument cluster. The Rev counter is simple at the same time eye catching.



Safari Storme Features

The Storme features a reverse parking system with audible and graphical representation on the antiglare IRVM (Inside Rear-View Mirror).



Safari Storme Features

We were lucky enough to get our hands on the top-end VX 4x4 variant, which comes equipped with a shift on-the-fly four-wheel drive option.This four-wheel drive system allows the driver to manual shift from 2WD to 4WD Hi without stopping first.

In addition, there are features such as the inertia switch and an auto engine immobilizer. In an exigency, the inertia switch automatically cuts off the fuel supply to the engine, and unlocks all the doors and also switches on the hazard warning light, to warn other road users.



Storme Opulence & Comfort

The Storme comes equipped with a hand stitched leather steering. The tilt-adjust (collapsible steering column) helps to adjust the steering height as per your driving position and ensures fatigue free long drives.



Storme Opulence & Comfort

The Safari Storme boasts best-in-class turning circle radius of 5.4 metres, making driving and manuevoring in tight confines absolutely easy.



Storme Opulence & Comfort

The Safari Storme integrates In-Mold Graining (IMG) technology, along with hand stitched leather steering, for a real feel of luxury.

The Storme also features wooden accents on the dashboard and door trims.



Storme Opulence & Comfort

Here is a close-up of view of the ergonomically shaped gear knob with chrome highlights.



Storme A Re-defined Beast

The Safari Storme scores high on rigidity when compared to the XUV500.

Tata has equipped the Storme with a rigid ladder frame with hydro-formed construction. It provides structural strength to the vehicle. Crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all four doors, dual SRS airbags, and the collapsible steering column keeps passengers comfortably safe.



Safari Storme Pros & Cons

Safari Storme Pros

• Good turning radius
• Good ground clearance
• Good Ride Quality
• Spacious
• Warranty Offer - 3 years or 100,000kms, whichever is earlier, extendable upto 4 years or 150,000 kms.

Safari Storme Cons

• Design & Style not very modern
• Interiors not very pleasing for the price
• Featureless as compared to its competitors
• Not a complete SUV package if you opt for variants other than the top end VX 4x4 variant.



Safari Storme Verdict

If you are not too concerned with styling, and instead prefer the SUV itself, the Safari Storme will surely provide a commanding driving position and wide view of the road at INR 10 to 15 lakhs. If you are more into design specifics, the XUV wins over this real SUV.

At least for now, the Storme is definitely a Re-fined beast and a real SUV we have driven in recent times.



About Tata Motors

Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs. 1,65,654 crores ($ 32.5 billion) in 2011-12. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain and South Africa. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 7.5 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fourth largest truck and bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America.