Tata Safari: The late 1990s marked a transformative period for the Indian automobile industry.
Economic liberalization had opened the doors to global manufacturers, and Indian consumers were beginning to expect more from their vehicles than basic transportation.
Tata Motors, then primarily known for commercial vehicles and the utilitarian Sumo, made a bold decision to enter the premium SUV segment—a category that barely existed in India at the time.
The original Safari, codenamed X3, was built on a modified Tata Telcoline pickup platform and positioned as a lifestyle vehicle for adventurous Indians.
Power came from a 2.0-liter Tata 483DL diesel engine producing a modest 87 horsepower, later upgraded to the more refined 2.1-liter 486DL unit with slightly better performance.
Ravi Bhatia, who purchased one of the first Safari models in 1998, recalls the experience: “There was nothing else like it on the market.
It felt like a proper big-boy toy—commanding seating position, genuine off-road capability, and a presence that turned heads. Sure, it was rough around the edges, but that was part of its charm.”
The early Safari offered genuine off-road credentials with shift-on-the-fly 4×4, generous ground clearance, and decent approach and departure angles.
Its seven-seat configuration made it practical for large Indian families, while features like air conditioning and power steering—not universal at the time—added a touch of luxury.
Tata Safari: Evolution Through the Generations
The DICOR Era (2005-2010)
The Safari’s first major evolution came in 2005 with the introduction of the 3.0L DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine.
This brought the Safari into the modern diesel era with 115 horsepower and substantially improved refinement.
The exterior received subtle updates, but more significant changes came inside with improved materials and additional features.
The DICOR Safari also introduced electronic shift-on-the-fly 4WD, ABS, and more sophisticated suspension tuning—addressing some of the rough edges that characterized the original model.
While still decidedly utilitarian by today’s standards, the DICOR Safari represented a significant step forward in Tata’s ability to produce more refined vehicles.
Safari Storme (2012-2019)
The most comprehensive redesign came in 2012 with the Safari Storme. Built on the X2 platform shared with the Aria MPV, the Storme featured a hydroformed ladder frame chassis that significantly improved torsional rigidity while reducing weight.
The exterior styling was more contemporary yet retained the Safari’s unmistakable profile with its stepped roof and stadium seating.
Power came from the 2.2-liter VariCOR diesel engine, initially producing 140 horsepower and later uprated to 156 horsepower in the Storme VariCOR 400 variant.
The latter also received a six-speed manual transmission in place of the earlier five-speed unit.
Inside, the Storme offered vastly improved ergonomics, better material quality, and modern features like a Harman-developed infotainment system.
The double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear setup delivered better on-road manners without compromising off-road capability.
Manoj Desai, a Safari enthusiast who upgraded from a DICOR to a Storme in 2014, notes: “The Storme felt like a quantum leap forward.
It was still unmistakably a Safari, but suddenly it wasn’t just about the charm of owning something different—it was actually a good vehicle by any standard.
The refinement, the build quality, the way it drove… everything was just better.”
Despite these improvements, the Storme faced increasingly stiff competition from monocoque crossovers that offered better on-road dynamics and interior packaging.
By the late 2010s, changing regulatory requirements and evolving consumer preferences made it clear that the body-on-frame Safari needed a complete rethink.
The New Generation (2021-Present)
In 2021, Tata made the controversial decision to transfer the Safari nameplate to a three-row derivative of the Harrier SUV.
Based on the OMEGA (Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced) architecture derived from Land Rover’s D8 platform, the new Safari abandoned the traditional ladder frame construction for a monocoque design.
Purists cried foul, arguing that without a 4×4 system and ladder frame, this wasn’t a “true” Safari. Nevertheless, the market responded positively to the new model, which offered sophistication, safety, and features that the old Safari could never match.
The current 2025 Safari represents the most refined iteration of this new philosophy. Power comes from the Kryotec 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 170 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission.
A 1.5-liter turbo-petrol with 170 horsepower has been added to the lineup, addressing the growing shift away from diesel in urban markets.
Design and Presence: The Safari’s Calling Card
Throughout its evolution, the Safari has maintained a commanding presence on the road. The 2025 model continues this tradition with a bold, upright stance characterized by the signature chrome-laden tri-arrow grille, split headlamp setup with sleek LED daytime running lights, and muscular proportions.
The current design language, following Tata’s “Impact 2.0” philosophy, gives the Safari a modern yet distinctively Indian character. The stepped roof, a Safari hallmark since the original, has been retained, though more as a design element than the functional stadium seating of yore.
Interior design has seen the most dramatic transformation. Early Safaris featured utilitarian cabins with durability prioritized over aesthetics.
The current model, by contrast, offers a sophisticated environment with premium soft-touch materials, ash wood inserts, and ambient lighting.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and fully digital instrument cluster bring technological sophistication that would have been unimaginable in the original Safari.
Rohit Sharma, an automotive designer who has worked with multiple Indian manufacturers, explains the Safari’s design appeal: “The Safari has always exuded a certain confidence—it’s never tried to look like anything else or adopt trendy styling elements that would quickly date.
There’s a timelessness to its upright, honest design that resonates with Indian consumers who want their SUV to look like an SUV, not a pumped-up hatchback.”
The Driving Experience: From Rugged to Refined
Behind the wheel, each Safari generation has offered a distinct character. The original model was undeniably agricultural—heavy steering, a notchy gearshift, and a commanding but bouncy ride. It demanded commitment from its driver but rewarded with genuine capability when the tarmac ended.
The DICOR and Storme progressively civilized the experience while maintaining off-road prowess. The Storme, in particular, struck a reasonable balance between highway comfort and trail capability, though it still felt like a traditional SUV with the associated body roll and deliberate responses.
The current Safari represents a complete paradigm shift. Based on a monocoque platform with front-wheel drive (or optional all-wheel drive in the latest iteration), it prioritizes on-road refinement and passenger comfort.
The driving position remains commanding, but the comparison to earlier models ends there.
Anand Kulkarni, Vehicle Line Director at Tata Motors, explained this evolution in a recent interview: “Today’s Safari customer wants the commanding seating position and road presence of a traditional SUV but with the comfort, refinement, and safety of a modern crossover.
Our research showed that fewer than 5% of previous Safari owners ever engaged the 4×4 system, yet everyone complained about the compromise in on-road dynamics.
The new platform allows us to deliver what customers actually use rather than capabilities that look good in brochures but rarely get utilized.”
The 2025 Safari offers multiple drive modes—Eco, City, Sport, and the newly added Off-Road mode that works in conjunction with the optional electronic limited-slip differential on AWD variants.
While it won’t match a specialized off-roader in extreme conditions, it offers more than enough capability for the adventurous family weekends that epitomize the Safari lifestyle.
Technology and Features: Leapfrogging Forward
The technological evolution of the Safari reflects the rapid digitization of India itself. Early models offered little more than power windows and a basic stereo system.
By contrast, the 2025 Safari boasts features that put it on par with much more expensive international competitors.
The iRA connected car technology enables over-the-air updates, remote vehicle control, and geofencing features through a dedicated smartphone app.
The 10.25-inch infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 9-speaker JBL audio system provides premium sound quality.
Safety technology has seen perhaps the most significant advancement. The original Safari had little more than seatbelts, while the current model offers six airbags, electronic stability program, hill descent control, tire pressure monitoring, and a comprehensive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) suite including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2025 model introduces Tata’s new ADAS 2.0 system with improved traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system with 3D view capabilities—features previously found only in luxury segments.
Market Position and Competition
The Safari has occupied a unique position in the Indian market throughout its existence. The original model essentially created the premium SUV segment in India, facing limited competition initially from the Mahindra Scorpio and, later, the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner.
Today’s Safari competes in the crowded three-row SUV segment against the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar, and Jeep Meridian.
What differentiates the Safari is its blend of road presence, interior space (particularly in the third row), and value proposition.
Pricing for the 2025 Safari starts at approximately ₹15.85 lakh for the base XE variant, extending to ₹25.50 lakh for the flagship Accomplished+ AWD (ex-showroom).
This positions it as a premium offering but still represents significant value compared to similarly equipped competitors.
Sales figures suggest the strategy is working. The Safari consistently sells around 2,000-2,500 units monthly, making it one of the stronger performers in its segment despite fierce competition.
The introduction of the petrol engine option and AWD system for 2025 is likely to expand its appeal further.
Owner Community and Cultural Impact
Few vehicles develop the kind of passionate following that the Safari enjoys. Despite—or perhaps because of—the quirks of early models, Safari owners formed tight-knit communities, organizing off-road expeditions and sharing maintenance tips through owner clubs.
The Safari Owners Club of India, founded in 2003, remains active with thousands of members across the country. Annual meets draw hundreds of vehicles, from meticulously preserved originals to heavily modified off-road builds.
This community has seamlessly expanded to embrace the new-generation Safari, though passionate debates about “true Safari heritage” continue.
Beyond enthusiast circles, the Safari has secured a place in Indian popular culture. It has been featured in countless Bollywood films, often as the vehicle of choice for both heroes and villains.
Its association with adventure has made it a symbol of exploration and freedom in advertising and entertainment.
Politically, the Safari became synonymous with power and authority, frequently seen in motorcades of ministers and officials.
This association was so strong that Tata Motors developed specialized VIP versions with enhanced security features for government use.
Dhruv Saxena, automotive historian and author, notes: “The Safari is one of the few Indian vehicles that transcended its basic transportation purpose to become a cultural icon. It represented aspiration in the early 2000s, a vehicle that said its owner had arrived.
Even today, the Safari name carries weight that newer brands can’t match—it’s woven into the fabric of Indian automotive history.”
Tata Safari: The Road Ahead
As we examine the 2025 Tata Safari, it’s clear that while much has changed over 27 years, the core values remain.
The Safari continues to offer a commanding driving position, generous space for seven occupants, distinctive styling, and a sense of occasion that more anonymous competitors struggle to match.
The controversial pivot from body-on-frame to monocoque construction, from mechanical 4×4 to modern AWD, has proven prescient as market preferences evolve.
Rather than clinging to outdated technology for tradition’s sake, Tata has reimagined what “Safari” means for today’s consumers while respecting the heritage that makes the nameplate special.
With rumors of an electric Safari variant in development for late 2026, the story is far from over. As India’s automotive landscape continues to evolve, the Safari looks set to remain what it has always been—a pioneer that reflects Indian ambitions and a showcase for Tata Motors’ growing capabilities.
For those who remember the rough-and-tumble original, today’s sophisticated Safari might seem worlds apart. Yet in its confidence, presence, and uniquely Indian character, the bloodline remains unmistakable.
The Safari has grown up alongside a generation of Indian consumers, and like them, it has become more sophisticated without forgetting where it came from.
In that journey from pioneering but flawed first effort to polished flagship, the Safari doesn’t just tell the story of a single model’s evolution—it tells the story of an entire nation’s automotive coming of age.