On 5th July, Maruti Suzuki finally unveiled the Invicto MPV for India which is basically a rebadged lower variant Toyota Innova HyCross. Then there is an SUV called Tata Safari that comes with 6 and 7-seater configuration and to us it only makes sense to put the two against each other and find out which car is better!
From the outside, the Invicto design language is very similar to the Toyota Innova HyCross, except the Invicto get’s slightly different front grille with the same shape but different mesh design and two thick horizontal chrome lines that extends into the LED headlamps. The headlamps has Nexa’s signature blocks daytime running lamps. The Invicto also has a different front bumper and faux skid plates design. The side profile is the same as the HyCross except for the 17-inch alloy wheels design for Invicto. Moving to the rear, the LED taillamps also features Nexa’s signature three-blocks design, and below that is the HYBRID badging from Maruti.
As for the Tata Safari, it has an LED DRLs and tri-arrow pattern on the grille with chrome line around the grille and LED DRLs that gives a spreaded V-look. Below that is the LED headlamps with chrome covering around it and below that is the LED fog lamps and at the bottom center, you can see the box-shape radar for the ADAS and the bumpers finished in faux silver skid plate both front and rear. Moving to the side, it has chrome line at the bottom of the window frame, functional roof rails on top, thin wheel cladding, and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, it has a sleek LED taillamps with a roof spoiler, and shark fin antenna on top.
From the inside, the Maruti Invicto has a 10.1-inch free-standing infotainment system placed above the rectangular shaped AC vents and the AC vents at the sides are positioned horizontally. It has the dual-tone dashboard theme option and leather seat upholstery. The Invicto has the three-spoke multi-function steering wheels with a digital instrument cluster and the push start/stop button is placed on the left side near the infotainment system. It has a huge panoramic sunroof, two charging ports at the front, two charging ports in the second row and third row. Around the gear lever, it has buttons for ventilated seats, electric parking brake with auto hold, EV mode (drives on electric power) and other things as well. The 7-seater variant second row gets the captain seats and between the two captain seats is the table with two cupholders. This won’t be present in the 8-seater variant The third row is not great and it’s better for children or adults for short journeys.
As for the Tata Safari has a 10.25-inch infotainment system placed above the AC vents and AC vents at the sides is positioned horizontally. The Safari has the dual-tone dashboard option. It has four-spoke multi-function steering wheel with digital instrument cluster, a huge panoramic sunroof, and pedals finished in black color. It has two USB ports at the front, two at second row, and two in third row. Around the gear lever, it has rotary dial drive modes, electric parking brake with auto hold, ventilated seats for the first and second row passengers (6-seater variant), and sliding armrest. The second row, if you opt for 6-seater configuration, has captain seats that can be reclined as well. The seats at the rear are split in 60:40 ratio and has 9-speaker JBL sound system.
Both the cars looks Premium and spacious both from the outside and inside, but from the outside, the Safari looks better in styling and Invicto looks great from the inside than the Safari.
| Maruti Invicto | Tata Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4755mm | 4661mm |
| Width | 1845mm | 1894mm |
| Height | 1785mm | 1786mm |
| Wheelbase | 2850mm | 2741mm |
| Ground Clearance | 185mm | 205mm |
| Boot Space | 300 litres | 73 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 52 litres | 50 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 1,915 kg | 1,825 kg |
When it comes to Dimensions, the Invicto measures 4755mm in length, 1845mm in width, and 1785mm in height. The Safari has a length of 4661mm that is shorter by 94mm, width of 1894mm that is wider by 49mm, and height of 1786mm that is just 1mm taller. The Invicto has a wheelbase of 2850mm, ground clearance of 185mm, and boot space of 300 litres while the Safari has a wheelbase of 2741mm that is shorter by 109mm, ground clearance of 205mm that is higher by 20mm, and boot space of 73 litres which is smaller by 227 litres. The Invicto has a fuel tank of 52 litres and kerb weight of 1,915 kg where as the Safari has a fuel tank of 50 litres which is 2 litres smaller, and kerb weight of 1,825 kg that is lighter by 90 kg.
| Maruti Invicto | Tata Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre TNGA 5th Generation in-line Petrol-Hybrid | – |
| Displacement | 1987cc | – |
| Power | 183.72 bhp | – |
| Torque | 188 Nm | – |
| Transmission Type | eCVT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | 23.24 kmpl | – |
| 0 – 100 kmph | 9.5 seconds | – |
In Engine Options, the Maruti Suzuki Invicto has only one powertrain – Petrol-Hybrid. The Invicto is powered by the 2.0-litre TNGA 5th Generation in-line Petrol-Hybrid engine which produces 183.72 bhp and 188 Nm of torque paired to an eCVT. This engine produces 172 bhp and 188Nm in Petrol and the hybrid motor produces 11 bhp and 206 Nm of torque. It has a fuel efficiency of 23.24 kmpl and it can go from 0 – 100 kmph in just 9.5 seconds. Tata Safari doesn’t have powertrain like this.
| Maruti Invicto | Tata Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | – | 2.0-litre Kryotec turbocharged diesel |
| DIsplacement | – | 1956cc |
| Power | – | 167.67 bhp |
| Torque | – | 350 Nm |
| Transmission Type | – | 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 16.14 kmpl – MT 14.08 kmpl – AT |
The Safari comes with a turbo diesel powertrain which the Maruti Invicto will never get. The Safari is powered by the 2.0-litre Kryotec turbocharged diesel engine that produces 167.67 bhp and 350 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed Manual Gearbox with 16.14 kmpl fuel efficiency and 6-speed Automatic Gearbox wit h 14.08 kmpl fuel efficiency.
| Features | Maruti Suzuki Invicto | Tata Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED | HID |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 18-inch alloy wheels | 18-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | Yes | Yes |
| AC | 2-zone | Auto |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | First Row | First and Second Row |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Infotainment System | 10.1-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Air Purifier | – | Yes |
| Sound System | 6-speaker standard sound system | 9-speaker JBL sound system |
| Cooled Glovebox | – | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Height adjustable Driver Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Seats | 8-way Powered Adjustable Seat | 6-Way Powered Driver Seat 4-Way Powered Passenger Seat |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Tailgate | Yes | – |
In Features the Invicto misses out on Cooled Glovebox, Air Purifier, Co-Passenger Powered Seat, bigger alloy wheels and infotainment system, and Projector headlamps while the Safari misses on powered tailgate, and 2-zone climate control.
| Safety Features | Maruti Suzuki Invicto | Tata Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six Airbags | Six airbags |
| Camera | 360-degree camera | 360-degree camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Rear Airbags |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | – | Level 1 |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Yes |
In Safety, the invicto misses out on ADAS while the Safari misses out on Front Parking Sensors.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Maruti Suzuki Invicto | Rs. 24.79 lakh – Rs. 28.42 lakh |
| Tata Safari | Rs. 15.65 lakh – Rs. 25.02 lakh |
The Maruti Invicto starts at Rs. 24.79 lakh for the Zeta+ 7-seater variant and Rs. 28.42 lakh for the top variant, Alpha+ 7-seater. The Tata Safari starts at Rs. 15.65 lakh for the entry-level ‘XE’ variant and goes up to Rs. 25.02 lakh for the top variant, ‘XZA+ (O) Red Dark Edition Automatic’ which is available in 6-seater and 7-seater configuration.
As for the warranty, Maruti offers 2 years/40,000 km warranty period for the Invicto that can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 km. Tata offers 3 years/1,00,000 km warranty period for the Safari that can be extended up to 6 years/unlimited kms for the Safari.
In the end, the decision to buy which model depends totally on your liking, however, if you ask us, both the cars are great in features they’re offering, but if you’ve an MPV requirement, then you should opt for the Invicto as it’s spacious, loaded with tons of features, and looks premium as well. Otherwise, if you’ve a bigger SUV requirement, then you can buy the Tata Safari given it’s got ventilated seats for second row as well, spacious, comes with Level 1 ADAS tech, and has few additional features over the Invicto. So, whatever you choose, you’re getting premium feels and features. So, if you can afford the Invicto, then you should go right and buy it, otherwise, you can opt for the Tata Safari as well. So, which model are you going to choose?