Tata recently launched the 2021 Safari in the Indian market. It is the new flagship of the homegrown manufacturer and the deliveries of the Safari has already commenced throughout the country. According to Autopunditz, 1,707 units of the Safari were shipped to the dealers in the first month. The Safari is priced at an attractive Rs. 14.69 lakhs ex-showroom for the base variant, while the top-end variant will cost you Rs. 21.45 lakhs ex-showroom. The combined sales of Safari and the Harrier have already surpassed the sales of MG Hector and Hector Plus.

The February sales of Harrier were 2,030 units while the sales of Safari for February were 1,707 units. Combined the number adds up to 3,737 units. Whereas the combined sales of the Hector and Hector Plus are 3,662 units. MG Motor launched a facelift of the Hector and added features to the Hector Plus. This helped MG in achieving their highest monthly sales number. However, it still fell short when compared to the sales numbers of Safari and Harrier.

What has helped the Safari, is the nostalgia factor. People remember Safari from the old days where it was known for its ruggedness and capabilities. Despite being a front-wheel-drive SUV this time and not offering all-wheel-drive the Safari received a good response from the Indian market. Even famous singer and director, Parmish Verma purchased the new Safari because he had the old one. You can read more about it by clicking here.

 

The Safari is powered by a 2.0-litre Kyrotec diesel engine that is also doing duty on the Harrier, Jeep Compass, MG Hector and the Hector Plus. The engine produces 170 PS of max power and 350 Nm of peak torque. Tata offers the engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. As of now, there is no petrol engine on offer with the Safari or the Harrier.

The MG Hector and the Hector Plus get a 1.2-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The diesel engine produces 170 PS of max power and 350 Nm of peak torque. It is only offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 143 PS and 250 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a Dual-Clutch Automatic gearbox or a new CVT automatic transmission. You can also get a 48V mild-hybrid system that is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a petrol engine.

 

Price-wise the MG Hector is the most affordable of the lot, starting at Rs. 12.89 lakhs ex-showroom. Then comes the Hector Plus which starts from Rs. 13.34 lakhs ex-showroom. Whereas both the SUVs from Tata cost more than the MGs. Tata Harrier starts at Rs. 13.99 lakhs ex-showroom and the Safari starts from Rs. 14.69 lakhs ex-showroom. It is impressive for Tata Motors that they were able to beat the numbers of the Hector and Hector Plus despite costing more, and the Safari launching only in the middle of February 2021.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021