Tata Safari

The Tata Safari is one of the most historically significant names in Indian motoring — a nameplate that has been in continuous use since 1998, survived three complete generational reinventions, and still sells on the strength of both nostalgia and...

The Tata Safari is one of the most historically significant names in Indian motoring — a nameplate that has been in continuous use since 1998, survived three complete generational reinventions, and still sells on the strength of both nostalgia and genuine product substance. The 2026 Safari, significantly updated with the addition of a new 1.5L Hyperion turbo-petrol engine launched on January 7, 2026, is the most complete version of the Safari that Tata has ever offered.

For years, the Safari's only powertrain was the 2.0L Kryotec diesel — an engine that impressed with 170 PS and a commanding 350 Nm of torque but excluded buyers who prefer petrol. The new 1.5L Hyperion TGDI turbo-petrol produces an identical 170 PS but with a smoother, more refined character at all speeds — making it the first Safari that genuinely appeals to both the highway-dominant diesel buyer and the city-primary petrol buyer simultaneously.

Priced from ₹13.29 lakh to ₹26.40 lakh (ex-showroom) across petrol and diesel variants, the Safari competes in the 3-row mid-size SUV segment against the Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Alcazar, and MG Hector Plus. It wins on road presence, safety rating, premium interior technology, and the Safari nameplate's emotional weight. It loses on diesel fuel efficiency against the XUV700 and on feature density at the entry level.

Tata Safari Price in India 2026 — All Variants

The Tata Safari price starts at ₹13.29 lakh for the base Smart Petrol Manual and goes up to ₹26.40 lakh for the top Accomplished Ultra Red Dark Diesel AT. There are over 50 variants spanning two engines, two transmissions, 7-seater and 6-seater configurations, and special Dark, Stealth, and Red Dark editions.

Tata Safari Petrol Variants — Ex-showroom India (April 2026)

Tata Safari Diesel Variants — Ex-showroom India (April 2026)

The Accomplished Ultra diesel was launched on May 5, 2026 at ₹24.50 lakh — eliminating the previous feature gap between top petrol and diesel variants. Diesel buyers no longer need to choose petrol to access the full feature set.

Tata Safari On-Road Price 2026 — City-wise Breakdown

Tata Safari Engine Specifications

Tata Safari Mileage — ARAI vs Real World

Owner data from Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune consistently shows diesel manual variants achieving 17–19 kmpl on expressways at 80–100 kmph. One verified owner report documented 20 kmpl on the Samruddhi Expressway at 100 kmph in Eco mode with 6 occupants — exceptional for a 7-seater 1,900+ kg SUV. City figures of 13–15 kmpl are realistic for mixed traffic with AC. The Safari is not a city efficiency car — its strengths come alive on highways.

Tata Safari Dimensions

At 1,922mm wide, the Safari is the widest car in this comparison — the interior cabin benefits directly. The tallest body at 1,795mm gives a commanding elevated driving position. Boot space of 420 litres with all three rows up is the Safari's weakest dimension — the MG Hector Plus offers 587L with seven seats. Fold the third row and Safari boot expands significantly, but a family that regularly uses all 7 seats should note this limitation.

Features — What You Get at Each Trim Level

Tata Safari vs Rivals — Head-to-Head

Tata Safari Colours — All Options

Tata Safari Pros and Cons

Pros

• 5-star BNCAP safety rating — the safest 3-row SUV in India; Mahindra XUV700 holds a 5-star Global NCAP; Hyundai Alcazar and MG Hector Plus are untested
• New petrol engine (Jan 2026) — 1.5L Hyperion TGDI at 170 PS with the refinement and character the old diesel-only lineup lacked
• 200mm ground clearance — better than Alcazar (190mm) for Indian road conditions
• Land Rover-derived OMEGARC platform — one of the strongest foundations in any Indian mid-size SUV
• 1,922mm body width — the widest in the segment, directly translating into interior shoulder room
• Boss Mode on Accomplished Ultra — rear passenger controls front seat position for maximum legroom
• Ergo Lux powered seats with memory and welcome function — segment standout feature
• Level 2 ADAS from Adventure X+ — competitive ADAS entry point at ₹18.99 lakh petrol
• 6-seater captain chair option on Accomplished X+ — elevates the Safari as a premium family vehicle
• Accomplished Ultra diesel now available (May 2026) — diesel buyers get full feature parity with petrol top spec
• Strong ownership community and brand heritage — Safari owners tend to be among the most loyal in the segment

Cons

• No AWD on any variant — Mahindra XUV700 offers AWD. The Safari is FWD only despite its off-road heritage and commanding presence
• Boot space with all seats up is 420 litres — smallest in the segment; MG Hector Plus offers 587L and XUV700 offers 480L for 7-seater families who do not fold the third row
• Petrol AT real-world city mileage of 9–11 kmpl is below expectations for a ₹18–25 lakh purchase
• Third row seat comfort is acceptable for short trips for adults — on longer journeys of 3+ hours, adults will find it limiting. Genuinely suited for children under 12 on highway drives
• Reports of after-sales service quality variation across Tata dealer network — some owners report long turnaround times at busy outlets outside metro cities
• Smart base variant has no infotainment touchscreen — only a 7-inch driver display at ₹13.29 lakh
• Petrol engine — while refined — lacks the diesel's 350 Nm low-end torque pull that makes the Safari so effortless on highways and overtakes at 100 kmph

Should You Buy the Tata Safari in 2026?

Buy the Adventure X+ Petrol AT (₹18.99 lakh) if you want the best value Safari. At this price point you unlock Level 2 ADAS, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, the hands-free tailgate, and the full safety suite — in the smoother, more refined 170 PS petrol engine. For a family of 5–6 that uses the third row occasionally, this is the Safari to buy.

Buy the Accomplished X+ Diesel AT 6S (₹23.89 lakh) if your family does 60,000+ km per year on highways, you want captain chairs in the second row for premium comfort, and the diesel's 350 Nm torque matters to your driving style. The captain chairs transform the Safari into a genuinely premium family vehicle for long-distance travel.

Buy the Accomplished Ultra Diesel AT (₹24.50 lakh) if you want everything — the full tech suite including Boss Mode, Ergo Lux powered seats, adjustable rear sunblinds, and every feature parity with the top petrol, with the diesel's superior torque and highway mileage.

Skip the Safari and buy the Mahindra XUV700 if AWD is non-negotiable or if maximum diesel torque (450 Nm vs 350 Nm) matters to you. The XUV700 also offers slightly more boot space and a comparable safety rating.

Skip the Safari and buy the Hyundai Alcazar if fuel efficiency and a smaller on-road footprint are priorities. The Alcazar's real-world diesel city mileage of 14–17 kmpl is meaningfully better than the Safari's 11–14 kmpl in urban conditions.

Prices are ex-showroom India as of May 2026. The Accomplished Ultra diesel was launched on May 5, 2026 — prices may be updated by Tata Motors. On-road prices vary by state. Confirm exact pricing at your nearest Tata Motors authorised dealership before booking.