Mahindra XUV700 vs Tata Safari 2023: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 25-27 Lakh for Off-roading Enthusiasts
Off the beaten track lies adventure. The off-roading enthusiast, for that reason, is looking only for the best off-road cars, or top SUVs for off-roading in India. Today, we look at the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari 2023, and find out what makes them off-road vehicles in India.
In this article, we will share
- What an off-roading enthusiast looks for in a car
- Mahindra XUV700 vs Tata Safari 2023 – an in-depth look at their variants, features, and off-roading capabilities
- How to pick the right car for you
So, can these cars handle water-wading, rough or muddy terrains, or traverse through sand? Are they capable of mild to serious off-roading? Let’s find out.
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What an Offroading Enthusiast Looks for in a Car
Here’s what to look for in a car as an off-roading enthusiast:
- Drive system – What drive system does the vehicle have (FWD, AWD, or 4X4)
- Ground clearance – the car should have high ground clearance to tackle uneven terrains
- Low range gearing – the car should have low range gearing to allow the vehicle to drive at lower speeds while still operating the usable power band/RPM of the entire engine
- Locking differential – the vehicle should have differential locking for better traction when driving on soft, muddy or uneven surfaces
- Engine power and torque – the engine should have adequate power and generate enough torque
- Safety – safety features are important, especially when traveling through challenging terrains
- Comfort and convenience – the vehicle should offer good comfort, as well as convenience features
Offroading enthusiasts look for SUVs with superior ground clearance, approach/departure angles, 4WD, differential locking, robust underbody protection, lug tread tyres and low range gearbox. Capabilities like water wading, hill hold assist are valued.
High torque engines, all disc brakes, metal bash plates add to offroad worthiness. Interior space, driving position and feature comforts are desired for long trips. Rugged exterior styling also appeals to offroaders.
Why Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari 2023 are Popular
The Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari 2023 are both hugely popular among offroading enthusiasts in India for their excellent capabilities and features. Both SUVs boast muscular exterior looks with high ground clearance of 200mm for tackling uneven terrain.
Their approach and departure angles enable them to crest and descend steep inclines without scraping. The 4WD system with modes like Snow, Mud, Sand distribute torque effectively between wheels for maximized traction. Low range gearbox boosts crawl ratio for utmost control when inching down tricky sections.
Other merits like hill hold assist, hill descent control, electronic stability program, disc brakes all-around, high water wading depth make XUV700 and Safari very accomplished offroad. Generous interior space and upmarket features provide comfort on long trips. The potent 2.0L diesel engines output high torque figures to power through any obstacle.
Overall, the XUV700 and Safari strike the best balance of offroad talent and on-road comfort for enthusiasts at attractive prices.
Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari 2023 Variants Shortlist in Rs 25-27 Lakh Range
For Mahindra XUV700, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 8 November 2023 |
|---|---|
| AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack | ₹25.26 lakhs |
| AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD | ₹26.57 lakhs |
For Tata Safari 2023, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 8 November 2023 |
|---|---|
| Accomplished Plus | ₹25.49 lakhs |
Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack
The Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack variant is a strong contender with its responsive 182hp/450Nm turbo diesel motor, 6-speed auto, multi-terrain 4WD system. Electronic aids like ESP, hill hold boost safety offroad.
The interior features dual-zone climate control, leather seats, 10.25” touchscreen keeping occupants comfortable on long trips. At Rs 25.26 lakhs, it offers robust offroad specs at a competitive price. If you enjoy long-distance road trips, you can read our comparison of the XUV700 with Toyota Innova Hycross.
Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD
The XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD adds the bonus of permanent all-wheel drive over the standard rear-wheel drive variant. This improves traction and control while tackling challenging sections off-tarmac. T
he AWD system actively channels torque to wheels with most grip. Everything else remains identical between the two variants. At Rs 26.57 lakhs, the AWD adds to the offroad capability making it more appealing to hardcore offroaders. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the XUV700 with Mahindra Scorpio-N.
Tata Safari Accomplished Plus
The Tata Safari Accomplished Plus is the range-topping variant available at Rs 25.49 lakhs. It gets a 170hp/350Nm diesel motor mated to a 6-speed auto. The 4×2 drivetrain limits extreme offroading but aids high-speed stability.
Terrain modes, hill hold assist make it capable within limits. High quality interiors, premium JBL audio system make long trips comfortable. Overall, a well-rounded luxury offroader. You can also read our guide to the most value for money Tata Safari 2023 variants for you.
Our Pick for the Best Mahindra XUV700 or Tata Safari 2023 Variant for Off-roading
The Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD emerges as the best choice for offroad enthusiasts with its perfect combination of hardcore 4WD capability and feature-rich interiors.
The permanent AWD system with electronically controlled torque distribution elevates its offroad talent above the 4×2 variants. The SUV remains surefooted and under control across mud, ruts, streams and steep inclines thanks to AWD. Electronic driver aids like hill descent control and hill hold assist also boost safety and traction in tricky offroad conditions.
The XUV700 AX7 AWD variant shares the same potent 200hp/450Nm engine as the 4×2 variant which outputs plenty of power and torque for offroad driving. The low range gearbox helps multiply torque at wheel when required. Other merits like high 200mm ground clearance, disc brakes all-round, ESP also aid off-roadability.
On the inside, the Luxury pack on the AX7 treats occupants to premium features like leather seats, dual-zone climate control, 10.25-inch touchscreen and Sony sound system. These make cross-country trips more comfortable. At Rs 26.57 lakhs, the XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD hits the sweet spot between offroad talent and feature comfort making it the top choice.
The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference
- Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD
- Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack
- Tata Safari Accomplished Plus
| Attribute | XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD | XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack | Safari Accomplished Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4WD | Yes | No | No |
| Ground Clearance | 200mm | 200mm | 200mm |
| Water Wading | 450mm | 450mm | – |
| Hill Descent Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Torque | 450Nm | 450Nm | 350Nm |
| Leather Seats | Yes | Yes | No |
| Touchscreen | 10.25-inch | 10.25-inch | 12.3-inch |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs 26.57 lakhs | Rs 25.26 lakhs | Rs 25.49 lakhs |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
- Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD: Topping our list is the XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD for its tough body-on-frame build, responsive diesel engine with 450Nm torque, rear biased on-demand 4WD system with terrain modes and the comfort of leather seats, 10.25-inch touchscreen & other goodies from the luxury pack. A brilliant do-it-all offroader.
- Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack: Despite being 4×2, the XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack still impresses off-road thanks to generous ground clearance, hill descent control, ESP, disc brakes all-round and a torquey engine. It matches the AWD variant on interior features as both get the Luxury pack. At Rs 26.57 lakhs, it makes a value for money offroader.
- Tata Safari Accomplished Plus: The Safari Accomplished Plus rounds up our top 3 with its plush interiors, premium styling and surefooted handling. The 4×2 drivetrain limits extreme offroad ability but its capable enough for softly undulating terrain. At Rs 25.49 lakhs, it offers luxury SUV comfort for slightly tamer offroading.
The Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel AT Luxury Pack AWD strikes the best balance between offroad talent and feature comfort. The XUV700 AX7 4×2 offers similar comforts at a lower price point for slightly milder offroading. The Tata Safari Accomplished Plus impresses with its premium interiors but is limited by its 4×2 drivetrain.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
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