Should you buy a used Tata Safari?

Not many cars in India enjoy a cult status like the Tata Safari. The rugged ladder-frame chassis SUV gained popularity in the early 2000s before going out of production. When Tata Motors resurrected the name in 2021, it faced initial challenges. Firstly, the new Safari was based on the monocoque Harrier (a soft-roader), taking a distinct approach from its rudimentary predecessor. However, over time, the Safari started gaining traction and is now one of the most popular full-size SUVs in India. Arguably one of the best Tata models in terms of engineering, refinement and overall quality, the Safari features a fantastic powertrain combination along with a well-built cabin that appeals to most buyers looking for a 7-seater SUV. As a used buy, the Tata Safari is an excellent choice and here are some reasons why we think so. 

Why you should consider the Tata Safari

As an SUV the Safari is hard to fault. It ticks almost all the boxes leaving little to no reason to not recommend one today. And as far as monocoque 7-seater SUVs go, the Tata Safari is right up there with some of the best in India. However, keep reading if you’re looking for more reasons why a used Tata Safari might just be the right SUV for you. 

The Powertrain

One of the USPs of the Safari is its powertrain combination. On the propulsion side, it makes use of the tried-and-tested Fiat 2.0-litre Multijet engine which Tata calls the Kryotec 2.0-litre diesel. This is one of the best diesel engines in India and one that powered at least 17 cars at one time when diesels were popular. Output figures are rated at a solid 170PS along with a thick 350Nm. The torque figure comes in between 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm making the Safari extremely peppy at low rpms and city limits. The engine itself is great but what accentuates its performance are the 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes along with various drive modes for every occasion. If a powerful SUV that can do inter-state road trips without breaking a sweat is what you’re looking for, the Tata Safari sounds about right. 

Feature Loaded

Modern Tata models, including the Safari, have been prioritising feel-good and tech features. The Safar stands out with a wide variety of features across different categories including safety. Noteworthy highlights include ADAS, a 10-speaker sound system, connected car tech, second-row ventilated seats, ambient lighting, terrain response mode, paddle shifters, a fully digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, 12.3-inch touchscreen unit, and more. It’s worthwhile to note that some of these features were recently introduced with the major facelift this year. That said, the earlier Safari models from 2021 are also loaded to the brim with kit, leaving little to be desired in contrast to its rivals. 

Road Presence And Design

The Safari is based on Land Rover’s D8 platform. Thanks to this, the SUV has size and road presence on its side. It is a huge SUV with a long 2741mm of wheelbase. Despite being based on a Monocoque platform, the Safari can be tagged as a full-size SUV unlike its sibling, the 5-seater Harrier. Tata’s contemporary design language works with this to make the Safari an imposing SUV with a great design language. It is not boxy like a conventional SUV and the Safari still manages to turn necks due to its striking design language. 

Ride quality

Since its early days, Tata has faced challenges in the passenger car segment. But a key quality of all Tata cars has always been the ride quality which still shines through. The Safari takes it to another level, offering a remarkably flat ride experience that is unaffected by the varied conditions of Indian roads. Despite being a high-riding SUV, Tata’s engineers have skillfully tuned the dampers to strike a harmonious balance between ride and handling. The result is one big SUV that effortlessly navigates rough terrains, and maintains composure even at high speeds, thus, inspiring confidence in the driver. 

How old should your pre-owned Tata Safari be?

The new Tata Safari was first launched in 2021, making it relatively new as far as used cars go. The current facelifted version packs the most features, including the RDE-compliant diesel engine and the space-age ADAS tech for safety. Nevertheless, the older versions are also loaded with everything you can expect. If the budget permits, you can look at the numerous special editions of the Safari that come with additional cosmetic and feature enhancements. One that we highly recommend is the Dark Edition and the Red Dark Edition if you prefer a contrasting colour scheme.

What to look out for when you buy a used Tata Safari?

The Tata Safari is a new SUV to the market and as such, not many issues have been reported to date. But we still managed to find some unhappy customers and here are some of the issues that were documented by them:

Shuddering Issues

A common issue that can be seen in forums are engine shuddering and vibration caused by engine components or the fuel system. These issues have been fixed by Tata over time but do look out for anything when you test-drive a pre-owned one. This is more prevalent in the early 2021 models, so make sure you check for any vibrations if it’s an early model. 

Lacking After-sales Support

Tata and after-sales support is not a love story that is better than twilight. Things have changed drastically over the years but this is one area where the Indian automotive giant has enough and more room to improve. Safari customers have reported poor service support and below average interactions from various dealers across the country. Customers also report the brand has not been addressing issues on time making the whole ordeal even more frustrating. 

Premature Suspension Wear

There have also been some reports of premature front suspension wear. This is usually accompanied by a loud noise from either side. Tata generally swaps the faulty suspension with a new one but customers have reported issues with cars running not many kilometers which is not ideal for an expensive SUV. 

Apart from this also note that the Safari is only offered with a diesel engine which might limit its appeal in the near future when diesels go extinct and regulations become stricter. The SUV also loses out on some of its rivals as it lacks a full AWD system. The 2023 model year Safari has been tested by the Global NCAP with a 5-star safety rating. However, this does not apply to the older models which haven’t been tested yet and is unlikely to be tested as well.

How much should a pre-owned Tata Safari cost?

Tata is currently pricing the Safari between Rs 16.19 to Rs 27.34 lakh (ex-showroom). When factoring in all additional costs, the on-road price for the top-spec models easily exceeds Rs 33 lakh. If spending such a sum on a Safari seems extravagant or falls outside your budget, opting for a used Tata Safari definitely makes sense. There are examples of high-spec models starting from just Rs 17.32 lakh and going all the way to Rs 22.14 lakh in cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore. 

Is a used Tata Safari worth buying in 2023?

As a full-size SUV that can take 6/7 adults across states at high speeds and comfort, the Safari is one of the best in its segment. It looks the part, drives like a modern SUV and packs more than what you want in a SUV today. A pre-owned Safari makes absolute sense considering the price of a new one today. You essentially get the same SUV with the same powertrain options. There have been cosmetic and feature additions and the 5-star safety rating, but the fact that a 2-year old Tata Safari is available for almost half the price of a new one makes it a compelling proposition that is hard to ignore.