Mahindra XUV700 Vs Tata Safari For Long-Distance Road Trip Lovers: Best Variants Under Rs 22 Lakh Compared

Written By: Kshitij Bisen
Published: July 25, 2023 at 03:05 PMUpdated: July 25, 2023 at 03:05 PM
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Long-distance road journeys have their own charm as against train or plane trips. Today, we are looking at Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari as premium SUVs suitable for long drives.

In this article, we will share

  • What a long-distance road trip lover looks for in a car
  • Mahindra XUV700 vs Tata Safari – an in-depth analysis of their features, fuel efficiency, space, and safety
  • Which is the right car for you

Mahindra is well-known for its SUVs in India, and Tata’s Safari has been in the market since 1998, and its second generation was launched a couple of years ago. If you’re in two minds about which one to pick, read on.

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What a Long-distance road trip lover looks for in a car

What a long-distance road trip lover should look for in a car:

  • Fuel Efficiency – The car should have high fuel efficiency so that long-distance trips are economical
  • Space – The car should have good space for a comfortable and enjoyable trip
  • Safety – The car’s safety ratings should be high, and adequate safety features
  • Handling – The car’s handling must be superior, and it should have high-speed stability

When looking for the best cars for long drives, a long-distance road trip lover seeks a blend of comfort, performance, and safety in a car. Crucial features include fuel efficiency, spacious interiors, and a sizable boot capacity for luggage.

The vehicle should exhibit stability at high speeds, a good ground clearance for varied terrains, and a reliable engine for prolonged travel.

Additionally, driver assistance technologies, robust safety measures, and connectivity features contribute significantly to a pleasurable, stress-free drive.

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Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Why Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari are Popular

Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari have garnered popularity among long-distance road trip lovers due to their compelling blend of power, comfort, and safety. Both SUVs come with robust diesel and petrol engines that offer excellent high-speed stability and impressive fuel efficiency, essential for long drives.

Their spacious interiors, ample legroom, and headroom, along with generous boot capacity, accommodate both passengers and luggage comfortably. Advanced safety features like ABS, airbags, and traction control ensure safer drives.

Furthermore, their high ground clearance makes them ideal for diverse terrains. Features like touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and climate control enhance convenience, making journeys enjoyable in these cars for highway driving in India.

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Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari Variants Shortlist in Rs 20-22 Lakh Range

For Tata Safari, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 23 July 2023
XZ₹ 20,48,000
XTA Plus AT₹ 20,93,000
XZA AT₹ 21,78,000

For Mahindra XUV700, we have:

VariantPrice (INR) as on 23 July 2023
AX5 Diesel AT₹ 20,28,000
AX7 Diesel₹ 21,21,000

Tata Safari XZ

Starting with the Tata Safari XZ, this variant stands out with six airbags for safety, automatic climate control, and a large boot capacity of 447 liters. It also offers a 5-star GNCAP rating, ensuring maximum safety during long trips.

Tata Safari XTA Plus AT

Next, the Tata Safari XTA Plus AT, with an automatic transmission and a good city mileage of 14 kmpl, provides comfort and fuel efficiency for city traversals during road trips. However, it lacks knee/curtain airbags, which can be a safety concern.

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Tata Safari XZA AT

The Tata Safari XZA AT offers six airbags, automatic climate control, and a considerable boot capacity, making it a safe and comfortable option for long journeys. However, the mileage could be a concern with a relatively lower 14.08 kmpl on highways.

Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel AT

The Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel AT shines with its excellent fuel efficiency of 17.19 kmpl, automatic climate control, and good visibility. However, the boot capacity of 240 liters could be limiting for luggage. If you’re an off-roading enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the XUV700 with Mahindra Scorpio-N.

Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel

Lastly, the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel impresses with its safety features, spaciousness, and automatic climate control. However, the overall mileage is lower compared to other variants at 15 kmpl. We also have our comparison of specific variants of the XUV700 and MG Hector for performance enthusiasts.

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Our Top Pick for Best variant among Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari for Long-distance road trip lovers

For a long-distance road trip lover, the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel emerges as the best option. This variant balances safety, comfort, and performance with six airbags, spacious interiors, stable high-speed performance, and a high ground clearance of 200mm.

Despite a lower overall mileage, the diesel engine and a larger fuel tank capacity of 60 liters ensure fewer fuel stops, making it ideal for long-distance drives. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the XUV700 and Tata Safari.

The Top 3 choices

The top three choices for a long-distance road trip lover would be the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel, Tata Safari XZA AT, and Tata Safari XZ. Here’s a tabular comparison of their key P0 attributes:

AttributeMahindra XUV700 AX7 DieselTata Safari XZA ATTata Safari XZ
ABSYesYesYes
Airbags (number)666
Bluetooth ConnectivityYesYesYes
Boot capacity (liters)240447447
Fuel tank capacity (l)605050
Ground clearance (mm)200205205
High-Speed StabilityStableStableStable
Highway Mileage (kmpl)1514.0814.08

How to Pick the Right Car for You?

  • The Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Diesel, despite its slightly smaller boot capacity, excels in terms of safety, ground clearance, and fuel tank capacity.
  • If you want a superior infotainment system with JBL audio, you can go for Tata Safari XZA AT, which provides a better in-car entertainment system.
  • If the audio system isn’t much of a concern, you can go for Tata Safari XZ. Basically, both Tata Safari variants score high on safety, boot capacity, and ground clearance.

These three variants, with their individual strengths, are all comfortable cars for road trips in India, and make a compelling case for being the vehicles of choice for long-distance road trip lovers.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered