Tata Motors is very soon going to launch the Safari Facelift which will come with major changes, and so we thought why don’t we compare it against the Maruti’s Premium MUV, Maruti Invicto to see if booking Safari Facelift is the right choice.
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Design
So, from the outside, the Safari Facelift has undergone big exterior changes such as the ront fascia as been changed completely with changes to the grille, bumpers, and headlamps. A full-width LED strip is above the grille that spans across the front body, an significant features of the Curvv concept. It has split LED Projector headlamps positioned vertically, ADAS Radar panel at the bottom grille and the camera at the top of the windscreen from the inside. Moving to the side, it has simple look with creasing, chrome on the window beltline, thin wheel arches and rides on the new 19-inch alloy wheels. Moving to the rear, changes extend to the bumpers, skid plate, and new Audi inspired LED taillights connected by an LED strip.
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.
Talking about the interiors, the Safari Facelift undergone some changes as well like the new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is sleek, thinner, and very responsive; new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that is configurable, and displays navigation maps while driving; in front of the cluster is the new four-spoke steering wheel with display at the center that illuminates the Tata logo, and ambient light across the dashboard, and around the voice-assisted panoramic sunroof. Below the AC vents, it features touch-sensitive panel to control the dual-zone climate control, and other things.
In front of it is the rotary dial for the drive and terrain modes, steptronic gear shifter, and electronic parking brake with auto hold function. It features an fixed armrest but the space inside is good enough to store two cans. On the leather seats, it features huge adjustable headrests to keep you comfy, and further enhances the luxury appeal. Both the seats are electrically adjustable, and comes with ventilated seats. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio if you opt for 7 seater, or if you go for 6 seater config, you get captain seats that comes with ventilated seats, and the SUV it’s equipped with 10 Speaker JBL sound system.
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.
So, from the outside, and the inside, I’ll have to give it to Maruti Invicto, the design language is good with luxurious feeling, and the Safari facelift interiors and exteriors looks real good as well.
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Dimensions
| Tata Safari Facelift | Maruti Invicto | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4668 MM | 4755 MM |
| Width | 1922 MM | 1845 MM |
| Height | 1795 MM | 1785 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2741 MM | 2850 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 205 MM | 185 MM |
| Boot Space | 420 L (3rd Row Folded) | 239 L 690 L (3rd Row Folded) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 50 L | 52 L |
When it comes to Dimensions, the Safari Facelift measures 4668 MM in length, 1922 MM in width, and 1795 MM in height. The Maruti Invicto on the other hand, measures 4755 MM in length which is 87 MM longer, 1845 MM in width that is narrower by 77 MM, and height of 1785 MM that is shorter by 10 MM. The Safari Facelift features a wheelbase of 2741 MM, and ground clearance of 205 MM where as the Invicto measures 2850 MM that is longer by just 109 MM, and ground clearance of 185 MM which is lower by 30 MM. The Safari Facelift is offered a 50 L fuel tank and 420 L Boot Space (3rd Row Folded), while the Invicto features 52 L (bigger by 2 L), and Boot Space of 239 L and 690 L (3rd Row Folded) (Bigger by 270 L).
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Powertrains
| Turbo Diesel | Tata Safari Facelift | Maruti Invicto |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 L 4 Cylinder | – |
| Displacement | 1956cc | – |
| Power | 167.67 BHP | – |
| Torque | 350 NM | – |
| Transmission | 6 Speed MT / AT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | 16.30 KMPL – MT 14.50 KMPL – AT | – |
When it comes to Engine Options, the Tata Safari Facelift is offered with Turbo Diesel powertrain which isn’t offered by the Maruti Suzuki. The Safari Facelift is powered by the 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel engine generating 167.67 BHP and 350 NM of torque, it’s mated to 6 Speed Manual Gearbox with 16.30 KMPL fuel economy, and 6 Speed Automatic Gearbox with 14.50 KMPL fuel economy.
| Petrol-Hybrid | Tata Safari Facelift | Maruti Invicto |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | – | 2.0 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | – | 1987cc |
| Power | – | 183.72 BHP |
| Torque | – | 188 NM |
| Transmission Type | – | eCVT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 23.24 KMPL |
| 0 – 100 KMPH | – | 9.5 seconds |
However, the Maruti Invicto is offered with only one powertrain, the Petrol-Hybrid. This powertrain will most likely not be seen in Safari anytime soon. The Maruti Invicto is powered by the 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Petrol-Hybrid Engine generating 183.72 BHP and 188 NM of torque mated to an eCVT Gearbox with fuel efficiency of 23.24 KMPL, and can accelerate from 0 – 100 KMPH in 9.5 Seconds.
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Features
| Features | Tata Safari Facelift | Maruti Invicto |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel size & Tyre | 18-inch, alloy wheels | 18-inch alloy wheels |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| AC | 2-zone | 2-zone |
| Rear AC vent | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument cluster | Digital | Digital |
| Infotainment System | 12.3-inch | 10.1-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Air Purifier | Yes | – |
| Ambient Lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 10-speaker JBL sound system | 6 Speaker Standard Sound System |
| Cooled Glovebox | Yes | – |
| Auto Dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Height adjustable driver seat | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | First Row Second Row (Only for 6 Seater Variant) | First Row |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Tailgate | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver Seat 4-way Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver Seat |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic |
In Features, the Maruti Invicto misses out on cooled glovebox, co-driver powered seats, air purifier, and 10-speaker sound system.
| fety Features | Tata Safari Facelift | Maruti Invicto |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Seven Airbags | Six airbags |
| Camera | 360 Surround View Camera | 360 Surround View Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive | Yes |
| ADAS | Level 2 | – |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | Yes | – |
| ISOFIX | Yes | Yes |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Yes |
In Safety, the Invicto misses out on Hill Descent Control, ADAS, and Seven Airbags.
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Price and Warranty
| Model | Price (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Tata Safari Facelift | Expected Rs. 16.85 L |
| Maruti Invicto | Rs. 24.82 – Rs. 28.42 L |
The Maruti Invicto starts at Rs. 24.82 lakh for the Zeta+ 7-seater variant and Rs. 28.42 lakh for the top variant, Alpha+ 7-seater. As for the Tata Safari Facelift, it’s expected to start at Rs. 16.85 Lakh.
As for the warranty, Tata offers 3 years/1,00,000 km warranty period for the Safari that can be extended up to 5 years/unlimited kms and the Maruti Invicto has 2 years/40,000 km warranty period that can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 km.
Tata Safari Facelift vs Maruti Invicto – Verdict
In the end, the decision to buy which SUV depends totally on you, however, if you ask us the upcoming Tata Safari Facelift looks very promising as it’s got a new makeover, new features, good engine and performance, spacious, and feels very luxurious. The Maruti Invicto is a big MUV with loads of space and comfort, loads of features, and a petrol-hybrid engine that easily gives you range near 1000 kms. So, if you ask us, we recommend to wait for the Tata Safari as it’s going to be worth buying, or if you’re looking for a car to travel long distances, the Invicto would be the right choice, your call. Which one are you going to buy?
