Tata Safari Long Term Review, February 2025 Report

It’s time to bid adieu to our Tata Safari long-term this month. Sure, it had a short stay with us of just 3 months, but over this duration, we have come to love quite a few things about the Safari. And, it goes without saying that there are some quirks and issues that we aren’t particularly a fan of. So, without beating around, let’s quickly summarise the good and the not-so-good bits of Safari ownership.

The Diesel AT drivetrain. It’s definitely one of its main highlights. The 2.0-litre diesel mill has oodles of torque for daily and highway driving, and paired with a smooth-shifting torque converter, it makes for an effortless drive. It’s not the most urgent ATs out there, but if you drive leisurely, which is what you do in daily driving, there’s hardly anything to complain about. The only thing here that’s not that great is the gear lever, which is laggy and takes unusually extra time and effort to slot into a mode.

One more thing we were pleasantly surprised with was the fuel efficiency of the Safari Diesel AT. It returned close to 13km/l in daily driving, and out on open highways, it went up to 16km/l. Excellent numbers for a big burly SUV.
The Safari’s ride-and-handling balance is another highlight. While it handles remarkably well for an SUV of its size, the ride quality is stellar as it dismisses every road imperfection without breaking a sweat. It feels rugged and tough, like a true blue SUV.

This 6-seater version with its captain-seat layout impressed us with its space and comfort. What’s more, it has electric controls for the rear seat occupant (left) to slide and fold the front passenger seat. Quite premium. Even the third row space management is decent, for the headroom and legroom are better than its direct rivals. The only thing is there’s no quick tumble-down mechanism for the second row, so getting into the third row is a bit of a hassle. On a related note, the boot space, with all rows up, is quite small.

Tata has loaded the Safari to the gills with features, and that definitely elevates the overall experience. The touchscreen is crisp and worked well, without any glitches, while creature comforts like ventilated seats and a large panoramic sunroof make life comfortable.

The Safari gets Level 2 ADAS, which worked well for the most part during its stay with us. Although, it did throw up tantrums once in a while and refused to engage on multiple occasions.

Overall, the Safari is a vehicle that you buy for its strong fundamentals. The diesel AT powertrain, the impeccable ride and handling, the space, and of course, its intimidating looks are some of its main USPs. It’s a modern day SUV that’s got everything you are looking for, but at the same time, it doesn’t compromise on its core values.

Also Read: Tata Safari Long Term Review, January 2025 Report

Also Read: Tata Safari Long Term Review, December 2024 Report