“Hi, I have a budget of around ₹25 lakhs and I am looking to buy SUV for my family of five. I enjoy driving. I am super confused between the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV700. Which one would be better in terms of comfort, features, driving experience and long-term reliability?”
Pratik from Mumbai asks
Our Response –
Hi, Pratik. Let’s understand how well both fare when it comes to your parameters –
1. Comfort
The Tata Safari stands out with its roomy and luxurious cabin, especially in the second row, making it a great option for family comfort. In certain variants, the reclining second-row seats add an extra layer of relaxation for passengers. Plus, the Safari offers a commanding driving position with higher seating, giving you an excellent view of the road ahead—typical of a true SUV experience (except the ladder on frame vibe) It’s ride quality leans towards comfort, with a softly tuned suspension that handles potholes and rough patches, making long journeys more pleasant.
On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV700 has a slightly tighter third row compared to the Safari, though still usable for shorter trips. The front and middle rows are pretty comfortable, and top-end variants come with ventilated seats, a plus in Indian summers. The suspension is firmer than the Safari’s, which translates to better handling at highway speeds, but it may feel a bit stiff over bad city roads or speed breakers.
2. Features
The Tata Safari comes reasonably well-equipped, offering features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a premium JBL sound system, and connected car technology. However, while Tata has updated its infotainment system recently, it still lags a bit in interface smoothness and user experience(but way better than the earlier system). However, I am still skeptical of electronics when it comes to reliability.
In contrast, the Mahindra XUV700 sets the benchmark in this segment regarding features. It offers advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, a dual 10.25-inch screen setup, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (in select variants), and a top-notch Sony 3D sound system. The overall layout and tech feel more modern and future-ready.
3. Driving Experience
The Tata Safari feels solid and well-planted on the road, making it an excellent highway cruiser. Its hydraulic steering gives a reassuring, weighty feel at higher speeds, which many driving enthusiasts may appreciate. However, this steering can feel heavy in city traffic. The diesel engine is proven and reliable, though it is noisier than what Mahindra offers.
The Mahindra XUV700, available in petrol and diesel, stands out for its engaging driving dynamics. Within your budget, the diesel version with the mHawk engine will likely be your pick—it delivers a strong, punchy performance with good refinement. The steering is lighter and more user-friendly in urban settings, offering decent feedback at higher speeds. Overall, it feels more agile and responsive on highways and winding roads.
4. Long-Term Reliability
The Tata Safari is underpinned by the proven D8 platform derived from Land Rover, which gives it solid underpinnings and a rugged build. Its long-term durability is generally good. Tata’s service network has improved, but still faces inconsistencies depending on location and dealership quality, which could affect your experience.
Mahindra enjoys a broader and more consistent service network across India. While initial batches of the XUV700 experienced some niggles—like electronic glitches and fitment issues—Mahindra has been quick to issue fixes and updates. Though the XUV700 is built on a newer platform, it should hold up well in the long run.
Overall Verdict
Considering your requirements, we would say go for Mahindra XUV700 as it has a slight edge over the Tata Safari when it comes to reliability, driving experience. Yes, 3rd row is not that spacious but for a family of 5 it would be nothing to complain for (even for short trips accompanying 7 people)
CarTrust Team
