The review of this 2023 Facelift Safari cannot begin without a mention about the flag-off! Are you wondering why? Well it was indeed special… breaking glass ceilings, the black and white chequered flags were held by confident bevy of beauties clad in vibrant yellow Tata Motors t-shirts…It was a moment of pride and joy … as much theirs as was ours…. after all this massive macho beauty that we set out to drive was the product of their months of hard work. Well, signs of changing times you would say and nothing highlights it more than the evolution of the ‘Safari’ after the popular Tata moniker made a come back a few years ago…
The 2023 Facelift Safari is no doubt a reflection of changing customer trends. The decided push towards connected tech and safety is clear but the question is how well this face-lift version balances between overall drive experience and the plethora of features that abound the vehicle.Â
What’s striking about the exterior design of Tata Safari 2023
On the outside, the silhouettes of the Safari broadly remains the same but there are some striking and interesting additions. The parametric grille with body coloured foils adds to the swanky, sophisticated appeal and surely gives a vehicle a new look with a touch of vibrancy.
The end-to-end DRLs with signature welcome and goodbye animation is once again something you cannot miss even in a rush as is the bifurcated lights with the ‘Safari’ badging standing out in the middle. The doors too showcase the Safari badging prominently.
The ground clearance of the vehicle continues to be a big plus for the Indian roads and coupled with silver skid plates and 19-inch alloy wheels it sure accentuates the sporty feel. The rear-end of the Safari continues to have that unmistakable extended roof design. The end to end led tail lamps compliment the front design and ties in the whole uber-connected appeal seamlessly.
However the showstopper here is decidedly the gesture-controlled power tailgate that makes opening and closing the boot a lot easier, especially if you happen to be carrying a lot of things. On a lighter note, if you are missing out on some ankle exercise, this is your chance to master it and get work done at the same time. But it sure comes in as a handy addition to the overall package.Â
The swanky interior
You sure have to hop inside the facelift 2023 Safari to truly appreciate the highpoints of this iteration of Safari. Multi-colour mood lights synced to music notes and notification attract attention while adding to the plush and luxurious feel that the overall facelift targets to achieve.
The multi-screen instrument cluster and the Harman infotainment centre is significantly wider than before. It is loaded with features including
-ADAS with 11 features
-Dual zone fully automatic temperature control
-Remote access to the car
-Alexa Car to Home
-Voice Commands including Alexa supporting 250+ commands in 6 languages
The voice-controlled panoramic sunroof is the new poster boy of features aimed at wowing customers and the Safari ain’t wanting in any which way. The multiple light and music modes sure make it even more appealing.Â
The touch based Central control panel with multi functions, steering wheel with signature ‘Illuminated Logo’, steering mounted paddle shifters and 360-degree surround view system are other interesting additions, not to forget the pin-striped wood panelling on the dashboard .
However what absolutely appeals to me while riving through crowded roads on hot afternoon and humid evening is the air curtains in the front to optimise airflow as well as separate ventilators for every row. The ventilated captain seats in the second row as well as the first row is another welcome addition and truly boosts comfort. The other interesting feature is the control to move the co-passenger seat on the sides. That enables even those in the second row to adjust leg space as per their need. The separate chargings pods in every row also shows attention to details in the Indian context while travelling with family.
The seats definitely need a mention-Â ergonomic and with the right kind of thigh support, making your journey as comfortable as you can expect.Â
Safety focus
One of the key showcase features in this new Safari is the advanced ESP with 17 functionalities. Apart from the mandatory 6 airbags, it comes with an additional seventh one for the driver’s knees. Height adjusted seatbelt, Hill hold control and Emergency call options are among the other additional features.
The ADAS also enables side view when the left or right signals are switched on. The 360 degree camera does give a clear view of the blind spot but the driver’s attention is diverted between the console and the road.. Perhaps a little thought into how much is too much is worth probing into.
The DriveÂ
Now coming to the most interesting part of the journey- the actual drive after you have digested the tech offensive. Well, no surprises here. You are driving the Safari with the same 170 hp Kryotec 2.0 -itre four-cylinder diesel engine with the same 6-speed manual and automatic transmission. Well if that’s on your buy list, the automatic version is the one to go with. Though the vehicle responds well when the pedal does hit the metal, you are in for a noisy ride no doubt. But that’s only a teething issue… the effortless pickup with which the engine brings the rather heavy vehicle to speed is still the best part of the deal. The suspension is a bit firm and perhaps it’s the large size of the vehicle that accounts for it. But all in all, a comfortable drive, be it the crowded city roads or the outskirts where the road condition is significantly bad. The tough Tata build, especially, the Land Rover DNA in the Safari’s core build and structure does come through.Â
The Verdict
Now addressing the elephant in the room- should you buy it or would you skip it? Well, the Version 2023 is no doubt plush, sophisticated and absolutely in sync with the modern customer’s tech heavy focus. Though not comparable to its original 4×4 avatar, this comfortable three-row vehicle is a great family car for the Indian buyers and the attention to details in terms of customer safety and comfort is a big plus in this facelift version. A smoother, safer and sleeker Safari to drive home in for sure.
