The Tata Safari needs no introduction. It was India’s first proper SUV. It had the looks and it had the space, but it might have been a little underpowered. Nonetheless it sold well because of its butch looks and great on-road presence. The first Tata Safari came out in 1998 and since then it has gone through some changes and some updates. The latest Safari, called the Safari Storme, has also gone through some physical appearance changes and comes with a more powerful engine, plus it gets 4 wheel drive. The car competes with the Renault Duster and Mahindra Scorpio. The Safari Dicor is still around with the same engine and physical appearance.
Design & Styling
The Safari Storme hasn’t changed much since its inception. It still maintains the same body type but there is no longer a spare wheel at the rear, which is deeply missed. This missing wheel makes the rear look a little mundane. The car now comes with halogen projection headlights and the grille has been decked with chrome. The roof rails add a nice touch to the overall design. The car still looks big and butch which are the main reasons it looks like a proper SUV. There are big wheels that give it a strong presence.
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Interiors
The interiors of the Safari are very nice and spacious. The rear seats get lots of room and the car really feels like an SUV as you sit up high above the others. There is tons of storage space as well. In terms of comfort the Safari is quite nice. The interiors have also been improved and the quality has become better. The dash is basic with simple ergonomics, but the driving position is a little high and not the best. There is a nice wood finish o the dashboard and the side handles on the doors and the beige interiors look quite plush. Overall the interiors are nice and a big step up from the original Safari.
Engine & Transmission
The Safari Storme comes with the new generation 2.2 litre VARICOR diesel engine. It gets a power output of 138bhp and a very healthy 320Nm of torque, enough to get the heavy SUV moving forward with pace. The engine is not the most refined and it does sound a little grumpy. The engine is also mated to a decent 5-speed manual gearbox that works well.
Performance and Handling
The new Safari Storme is not a major improvement over the old Dicor. The ride quality remains roughly the same and the suspension set up is a bit on the soft side, so the car does move a lot on curves and on rough roads. The performance from the engine is kind of nice and responsive with just a little bit of lag. The gear changes are not so smooth and that is because the driving position is very awkward. The driver sits up very high with the steering wheel very low and the gear lever a little far away from you. The clutch also doesn’t feel to strong and sometime you need to force it into gear and you can feel heavy vibrations. Other than that the engine is decent on the highway and the car travel very fast with little vibrations on the inside. The optional 4 wheel drive variant is a beast and can take on all kinds of rough terrain. The Safari is built tough and can take on dirt tracks and steep slopes without a fuss. Overall the car is decent to drive but not the most fun. If you are sitting in the rear you will feel more comfortable and at ease.
Fuel Efficiency
The new generation engine is also a bit more refined than the older one so you will get a better fuel economy of around 12-14kmpl on average.
Features
The new safari comes with power steering, power windows, a very comfortable air conditioner and an alpine music system. There are no new age features.
Safety
The only safety features found in the Safari are ABS with EBD.
Quality & Reliability
The overall quality of the Safari is decent. The interiors have been upgraded to look good but on a closer inspection you can notice the quality of components needs some work. Nonetheless the car is very reliable and is built tough. However the service costs can be high and so are spare parts.
Value for Money
The Safari Storme is priced quite decently for the package you are getting. It is priced competitively and gives you great value for your money spent.
Verdict
The Safari Storme is a big sturdy car that looks like a massive SUV. It has 4 wheel drive as an option and is a good off-road vehicle. it sits high above other cars, which buyers might like ad it has got a very comfortable interior. The engine is not so refined but gives decent power and the features are not really the best. However within its segment it is a decent car. Most people might buy it because of its looks. Within its segment it is the best looking car but it is certainly not the best performer. Look at the competition before you decide to buy it.
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I was using an Innova for the last three years and getting more safety for my family as well as to get relieved from my back pain, I decided to change my car to and SUV. I took test drive on Duster and XUV500 but not satisfied. Then only my friend suggested to take a drive on Tata Safari Storme. I went to Hyson Motors and took a test drive with my family. The Manager there Mr. Sreekanth helped us in getting a decent test drive and to get me my favorite colour white. Now I am using Safari storm for the last Four months. I feel very comfortable, safety as well good riding comfort in this vehicle.
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