I have been driving an old ambassador for the last 15 years all over south India. I have a passion for driving long distances in anything that has wheels. I was toying with the idea of a SUV for a long time. After much interviews, research on the Net and some test driving, it was decided that Tata Safari amply suited my needs.
So I landed up with an used safari. The ride quality is amazing with the 5 point suspension in the rear, you tend to float over many potholes and speed breakers so common in the Indian roads. The engine has a ’’Jekyll and Hyde’’ behaviour. It is slow and panting with barely 68 HP when it is under 2000 rpm. But it takes a new verve as soon as you cross past the 2000 rpm mark when the turbo kicks in. It develops some 90 HP and acts like an eager teenager.It can be quite nimble footed when it is in the right rpm. The thoughtfully provided tacho meter helps you to zero in on the power band. But climbing a steep incline in first gear under 2000 rpm can be painful.
Another crib is the poor visibility behind you. You will be horrified as the gear placement is odd in this car. Apart from this known weakness, the safari can be a good long distance companion. It comes alive in the highways as it makes short work of any distance. The less said about the poor quality of service and the cost of repairs, the better.
The Positive side of Safari:
Killer Looks
Excellent ride comfort
Reasonable collection of features mostly found in optional extras in other cars.
Tall stance giving the driver a good view of things ahead
The Aura of true blood SUV
The negative side:
Exorbitant service charges from the Authorized dealer
Poor rear view
A bit oversized in cities
Poor plastics - bumpers and trims
Odd gear positioning - reverse and the first gears can easily be mistaken