The first-generation Tata Safari was launched in 1998 in India. The current generation Tata Safari models were launched in 2023 and carry the legacy of this iconic 7-seater SUV in style. While Tata Safari is a mid-size 3-row segment SUV, Tata Harrier that looks like its sibling is a 5-seater mid-size SUV that was first launched in 2019. The latest facelift for Tata Harrier was unveiled in 2023 and it comes with the 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol (Hyperion) and a 2.0-Litre Kryotec Diesel engine. Safari also offers the exact same engine and powertrain options as Tata Harrier. Both these cars have been built on the same Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced Architecture (OMEGARC) platform. Therefore, these cars share the same DNA, mechanical prowess, and build-quality. The manual diesel variants of Tata Safari offer the best mileage in its lineup and the same can be said about Tata Harrier as well.
With so much similar engineering and architecture happening behind the scenes, you would imagine that their mileage figures would be the same too. Let’s find the real-world mileage of Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari in this blog.
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Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari Specs
Let’s compare Tata Harrier and Tata Safari based on their specifications before assessing their mileage figures. The below table sheds some key insights into their specifications:
| Specification | Tata Harrier | Tata Safari |
| Engine | 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol (Hyperion) 2.0-Litre Kryotec Diesel engine | 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol (Hyperion) 2.0-Litre Kryotec Diesel engine |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1498 cc Diesel: 1956 cc | Petrol: 1498 cc Diesel: 1956 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 168 bhpDiesel: 170 PS | Petrol: 168 bhpDiesel: 170 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 280 NmDiesel: 350 Nm | Petrol: 280 NmDiesel: 350 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed automatic transmission (AT) | 6-speed manual transmission (MT)6-speed automatic transmission (AT) |
| Drive layout | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Kerb weight | 1738 kg to 1823 kg (depending upon the variant) | Petrol: 1745 kgDiesel: 1920 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50 litres | 50 litres |
The specifications of Tata Harrier and Tata Safari are strikingly similar. However, the kerb weight of Tata Safari models is slightly heavier (up to 120 kgs more) than Harrier because of its longer length and third-row seating arrangement. Other than this, we cannot figure out any major factor that can create a difference in the mileage of these cars.
Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari: ARAI Mileage Figures
ARAI stands for Automotive Research Association of India. It is an autonomous body that functions directly under the Government of India and its primary role is testing and certifying different automotive parts and components. ARAI also conducts mileage tests to check the optimal mileage of the cars in the ideal conditions. Therefore, the ARAI claimed mileage figures are always greater than the real-world mileage figures. The below table shows the ARAI claimed mileage figures of Tata Harrier and Tata Safari models:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Tata Harrier – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Tata Safari – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5-litre Turbo-GDI with 6-speed MT | Petrol | Up to 17 km/l | Up to 16.3 km/l |
| 1.5-litre Turbo-GDI with 6-speed AT | Petrol | Up to 17 km/l | Up to 14.1 km/l |
| 2.0L Kryotec Turbocharged Diesel with 6-speed MT | Diesel | 16.8 km/l | Up to 16.3 km/l |
| 2.0L Kryotec Turbocharged Diesel with 6-Speed AT | Diesel | 16.8 km/l | Up to 14.1 km/l |
The ARAI claimed mileage figures of Tata Harrier and Tata Safari are almost similar. However, Tata Harrier has a slight advantage over Safari models because of its lesser kerb weight and more aerodynamic design.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying a Tata Safari
Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari: Real-World Mileage
The real-world mileage of Tata Harrier and Tata Safari models in different conditions have been shared below:
| Tata Harrier (1.5-litre Turbo Petrol) | Tata Safari (1.5-litre Turbo Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 10 km/lAutomatic: 6.17 km/l | Manual: 10 km/lAutomatic: 9.5 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 15 km/lAutomatic: 12.49 km/l | Manual: 16.25 km/lAutomatic: 14.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 12.5 km/lAutomatic: 10.90 km/l | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 11.75 km/l |
| Tank range | 465 km | 550 km |
| Tata Harrier (2.0-litre Diesel) | Tata Safari (2.0-litre Diesel) | |
| City | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 11.5 km/l | Manual: 13 km/lAutomatic: 11.2 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 17.5 km/lAutomatic: 16 km/l | Manual: 17.5 km/lAutomatic: 14.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 15.25 km/lAutomatic: 13.75 km/l | Manual: 15 km/lAutomatic: 12.5 km/l |
| Tank range | Up to 700 km | Up to 625 km |
If we see the real-world mileage of Tata Harrier and Tata Safari, the petrol models of Safari perform slightly better than the petrol models of Harrier. Though the difference in the mileage is negligible to influence a buyer’s decision, the difference is substantial if you compare their full-tank range.
On the other hand, the diesel variants of Harrier offer a better fuel-economy than Safari’s diesel variants. Here also, the difference in their mileage is not huge but can impact the overall fuel costs when you compare their tank-to-tank range. So, we cannot judge either of the cars as the clear winner in the department of mileage.
Though Harrier has the advantage of being the lighter vehicle with a better aerodynamic design and lesser drag co-efficient than Safari, Safari manages to deliver more mileage with certain powertrains, specially with the petrol variant because of several reasons. In the real-world conditions, the drivers tend to drive Safari models more carefully because of its longer length and taller body. Also, the relaxed driving dynamics of Tata Safari works in its favour whereas Tata Harrier can be driven more aggressively, especially on the highways. So, the key difference-maker in the fuel-efficiency of these cars is the driving style and operational factors that may favour either of the cars depending upon the real-world situation and the driver’s preferences.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Buying a Tata Harrier
Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari: Fuel Cost Comparison
Now that we have seen how the real-world mileage of these cars compare against each other, let’s evaluate their periodic fuel costs. For the sake of comparison, we have considered that both Tata Harrier and Safari cars run 1500 km per month and the latest fuel prices (Petrol: Rs. 111.52 and Diesel: Rs. 98.15) are taken for the calculation purposes. The monthly, yearly, and 5-yearly fuel costs of both these cars can be seen in the below table:
| Harrier Petrol | Safari Petrol | Harrier Diesel | Safari Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 128 L | 121 L | 103 L | 109 L |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 14,274 | ₹13,493 | ₹ 10,109 | ₹ 10,698 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.71 lakh | ₹ 1.61 lakh | ₹ 1.21 lakh | ₹ 1.28 lakh |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 8.55 lakh | ₹ 8.05 lakh | ₹ 6.05 lakh | ₹ 6.40 lakh |
If we check the above tables, the periodic fuel costs of both these cars are almost identical. Tata Harrier diesel cars offer a slight fuel-cost advantage over the Tata Safari diesel variants, whereas Safari’s petrol cars save marginally more money if we compare them with Harrier’s petrol models.
Also Read: Should You Buy a Used Tata Harrier
Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari
Let’s complete this fuel-comparison by seeing how much do these cars actually cost in the car market:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Tata Harrier | Smart to Fearless X Plus/Dark Edition | ₹ 12.89 to ₹ 25.25 lakh |
| Tata Safari | Smart to Accomplished Ultra/Stealth Edition | ₹ 13.40 to ₹ 26.76 lakh |
If we compare the base-to-top models of Safari and Harrier, Safari turns out to be a more expensive car among the two. However, the difference is not huge if we compare their ex-showroom prices.
Summary
Both Harrier and Safari models offer a great driving experience and comfort. However, both the cars are not known for their high fuel-efficiency. Their bulky frame and higher kerb weight along with powerful engines eat away at their real-world mileage figures. Despite this, you can choose the Safari petrol models if you need a 7-seater SUV primarily for city driving. If you are happy with a 5-seater but require a car for long trips and highway driving, choose the diesel variants of Harrier.
FAQs About Tata Harrier vs Tata Safari: Real World Mileage Comparison
Q. Which factors help the Harrier when comparing it with Safari’s real-world mileage?
Factors such as an aerodynamic design, lighter kerb weight, and lower drag co-efficient work in the favour of Harrier when we compare it with the real-world mileage figures of Safari.
Q. Which diesel variants are more fuel-efficient among Tata Safari and Tata Harrier cars?
The diesel variants of Harrier are more fuel-efficient than the diesel variants of Safari because of their smaller size, lesser weight, and aerodynamic design. However, the difference isn’t huge enough to affect a buyer’s decision.
Q. What is the claimed mileage of Safari’s petrol models?
The claimed mileage of Safari’s petrol models with manual transmission is 16.3 km/l. The claimed mileage of Safari’s petrol models with automatic transmission is 14.1 km/l.
Q. What is the monthly fuel cost of Harrier’s petrol models?
The monthly fuel cost of Harrier’s petrol models goes up to ₹ 14,274.
Q. Which car should I purchase for long trips and driving on hills: Tata Safari or Tata Harrier?
Both cars offer a plush ride-quality during long trips and stability while driving on hairpin bends on the hills. However, if you want to purchase a car purely from the mileage perspective, go for the diesel variants of Harrier.
