The Mid-size SUV segment is a very well-respected car segment in India. With cars like the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar, etc, the segment is quite packed with valuable SUVs. And to add more value to it, the 2023 Tata Safari Facelift has made its entrance. So, with this many options now, it is undoubtedly confusing which one to go with. Therefore, to make your work easy, we will compare the two Indians from this group - the 2023 Tata Safari facelift vs Mahindra XUV700, and find which is better. 

The 2023 Tata Safari facelift is a recent launch in this criteria. With an updated design, both in the Interiors and Exteriors, Tata Safari now happens to be a worthy competitor for its rivals. 

On the other hand, the trendsetter of this segment is the Mahindra XUV700. And why is that you think? Basically, the XUV700 was the one that showed to what levels a particular could go in this segment. Unexpected luxury, some out-of-the-world features, etc, all of this was first introduced by this car.

So lets compare the 2023 Tata Safari Facelift with the ultimate XUV700

Exterior Design

This factor should undoubtedly be the one which we should start with, as these two cars are kind of two different worlds altogether in terms of their design.

2023 Tata Safari Facelift Exterior Design

The 2023 Tata Safari is an evolution of its design, where this new design tends to set a benchmark. This particular new design can also be stated as Tata Motors' best design to date. This is a nice thing, in fact, not only the Safari but the Harrier and the Nexon also tend to have the same DNA as this design. Overall, it seems that now finally, Tata Motors has arrived with the right tools of design, and they are trying to create a heritage of this particular design language throughout their vehicle fleet. 

To be more specific, the 2023 Tata Safari Facelift consists of a redone front fascia. Earlier, there were those decent-looking big Headlamp units, which didn't even pack LEDs, instead of those now, the Safari has a more futuristic and stylish Headlamp setup. It gets a set of three LEDs on both sides, two of which are used as the Foglamps, and the remaining one is particularly used as the main LED projector beam.

The DRLs have also gotten more lively, as it has been kept connected now. 

The grille of the vehicle is more sophisticated in terms of its look, comparatively. Earlier, with that overdose of the Tri-arrow pattern, it did not go with the rest of the design. But this one gets more planted and plush design elements, which tend to flow with the premium appeal the vehicle tries to depict.

On the sides, there is not much change, other than the wheels. The wheel size of the Safari is the biggest in the entire segment, as no vehicle gets a set of 19-inch wheels in the segment.

The rear end is dominated by the presence of its Tail lamp. This time, the tail lamps have been connected like front DRLs. They look more nicer, and overall, make the vehicle appear broader. 

Mahindra XUV700 Exterior Design

The XUV700, on the other hand, is very modern with respect to its design. It refuses to follow any traditional design languages as it tries to create its own persona, and we have to say, to some extent, it has been able to. With sharp, modern elements in the design, the XUV700 indeed tells the crowd that it is fresh.

The front design is inspired by the other XUVs which have come and gone in the past. With those six slats on the grille, the XUV700 tries to make them appear more stylish. The new Mahindra logo definitely makes the front look very un-Mahindra-ish, which in fact, is a good sign, overall.

The Headlamp unit can be considered the best in the entire segment. We mean, if you see, they are similar to other car's headlamps, as they are LEDs, but there is this one feature that takes this whole setup onto another level altogether. The Booster Headlamp feature, this particular makes the Headlamp throw the most clearer and brighter compared to its rivals. We can also spot the Foglamps placed at the bottom corners.

The LED DRLs also pack a good design, as they try to continue the flow of the Slats more on the front.

The side of the vehicle is very SUV-ish, as it stands tall and feels robust. Well, we should thank those 18-inch wheels, which make the SUV look more alive and macho. The unique feature though on the side should be the plush door handles, they look much nicer and enhance the overall, design flow of the vehicle.

The rear of the XUV700 is again very neatly styled rear end. Unlike the Tata Safari's rear which is a straight upright cut, the XUV700's rear tries to have an attractive shape to it. The Tail lights go well with the rear design of the vehicle. They are full of LEDs and have a design that shows a modern feel and look in it.

At last, this is what makes this Indian brand stand a lot higher than Tata Motors’ 2023 Safari. With bold, blocky lines that define the true character of its SUVs, Mahindra’s solidarity statement surpasses every other brand’s so-called SUVs. Therefore, this is what distinguishes the XUV700 from every other SUV in its segment; whether it be the 2023 Tata Safari or the MG Hector Plus, they simply can not define themselves when it comes to showing the true SUV nature.

Interiors

After the very tough elaborative speech over the XUV700s and the 2023 Tata Safari’s exterior designs, we shall move on to their interiors because someone has finally caught up.

2023 Tata Safari Facelift Interiors

The next most important thing that the Safari was missing a lot was better and more sophisticated interiors. Earlier, on the pre-facelift model, the cabin was decent; it always worked hard to impress in many ways, but something else was pulling it back. Though this time, Tata Motors has done the right thing and in the right way. In 2021, when the Safari was launched, it never wanted to be an SUV that thrashes every terrain it drives on; rather, Tata Motors made it something that could give you unmatched comfort and a pleasant experience. Something that would probably bring a smile to your face when you drive it, but when you sit in the back seat, it would have the ability to make you smile the widest in your life. So, this was all about comfort; let us dive into the Technology part of the talk, shall we?

The Technological part, too, was a big mess for the Safari. We saw the brand working hard to make things right, but if one thing were fixed, the other would pop up a bug. Thankfully, though, in the 2023 Tata Safari Facelift, things are way better than they were. Tata Motors deserves appreciation for all the hard work they put in to bring things right in place. The screens - Infotainment and Instrument Cluster - are pieces of gem. The Instrument Cluster is a 10.25-inch unit and on the other hand, the Infotainment system is a 12.25-inch unit. Both of them work as if they slide over oil, basically, with no lag at all. They both contain a slew of features like a 360-degree camera, various audio modes, an AQI index connected to an Air Purifier, etc. The UI & UX used in them looks rich and revised. Everything is easy to understand. 

Below it has been placed a touch-sensitive Climate control unit. It was first seen in the Nexon, but this unit over here contains one extra feature - Touch-controlled Fan Speed. This particular climate control unit is new and unique in the segment. 

Moving more downwards comes the Centre console. The Centre console consists of various new additions. Starting with a Bejeweled Rotary dial to control the Terrain modes, then comes the Land Rover-inspired Drive selector stick. These two additions make the interior look more sophisticated than they were earlier.

Coming over features, You name it, and they have it - A simple seven-word explanation. In fact, you might miss one or two features, and it will still have those. Simply, Tata Motors has put a well-thought bag of features in the Safari. We get the ones we can use most of the time and have avoided the ones we might use once in a blue moon. If we were to note one feature, then it probably would be the casting of Google Maps over the Instrument Cluster, that too, in different layouts. We can also mention the feature of the Hands-free Tailgate opening, which is also a first-in-segment feature.

At last, what is unique? Well, there are many things, but we shall focus on the Elephant in the room - The touch-sensitive panel for the AC unit . It looks upmarket, and it is indeed upmarket!

Mahindra XUV 700 Interiors

The one that set a benchmark in this segment. The one which felt unreal and was hard to believe that it packed this kind. The XUV 700’s interiors, man-o-man, were something that we never thought that it could be done this way at this price point, as well. Look, it should get its respect because if this vehicle had not been it, we probably wouldn’t have seen so many upgrades in other cars of this segment, too. The XUV 700 has a very premium-looking interior, with bright colors all around, it makes us feel more lively being in it. With a literal experience of a premium vehicle at a much lower price point, the XUV 700 rocks it! The plush ride of the vehicle it has a brilliant monocoque platform, which makes you feel smooth and glide when you sit over it. However, we will ignore the fact that it has not yet received a 6-seater option, with middle Captain seats, because it will in the upcoming facelift. Still, with this missing, it is a good ride to have on any kind of terrain you take it on. It just will not bother you and will perform its job with the utmost honesty. Okay, enough about the absolute delight of comfort we get in the XUV; now, let us move on to the technological aspect.

To talk more deeply, the XUV 700's interior is unique, as it gets a connected screen setup for both the Infotainment and Instrument Cluster.  The Instrument Cluster is a 10.25-inch unit and the Infotainment system is a 10.25-inch unit, too. The UI and UX of the screens are developed by ADRENOX, which itself is a very advanced and feature-rich system. Almost all Mahindra SUVs use this particular software. 

Coming down, then there is the Dual Zone Climate Control system, and from there the center console also starts. It's very basic and has the essentials only. Though it has got a rotary dial to control the Terrain modes of the vehicle. 

So, moving on to the features. Well, we do not really have to point out this, as we know the XUV is the smartest of all in the segment, in fact, both in terms of looks and technological features. We mean, if this is the first-ever Indian car to introduce the ADAS features in its own segment, then obviously, it needs no introduction. The right amount of features are there, but Mahindra thought, “Just in case, if you want more, well, we have got you!.”

To talk about what is unique in the Mahindra XUV 700 it is the only car in the segment that offers you an All-Wheel Drive System . So, slight off-roading will always be in your favor.

Engine Specifications

In terms of engine specifications, it is like one is super-rich, and the other is somehow surviving the game. Okay, let me explain.

2023 Tata Safari Facelift Engine Options

The 2023 Tata Safari Facelift is the one who is somehow surviving the game. With only one engine on offer, the car lacks a lot of potential customers. But, if we think logically, then the reason given by one of the officials from Tata Motors sounds fairly valid. Because with such a heavy weight of the Safari, it would be and is reasonable to have just the Diesel engine option, as the Petrol would turn out to be a Gas guzzler. 

So, basically, the Safari is driven with the help of a 2.0 L KryoTec Multijet engine , which is capable of producing 170 hp and 350 Nm of Torque . 

This engine, in front of the XUV’s engine performance - which we will talk about further - will not sound convincing, but believe us, concerning the reviews, this engine is a piece of art. It pulls and pulls just nicely.

Mahindra XUV 700 Engine Options

Unlike the Safari, this car over here is seating with a slew of options. The XUV 700 is the most liked for its engine performance, of course, after the gimmicky features it packs. And we shall give applause to Mahindra for developing these beautiful engines right in India. At least, they have not taken another path of borrowing an engine from any other brand, like Tata Motors did for the Safari, as well as for the Harrier.

Okay, now the Mahindra XUV 700 gets two engine options. 

First, a 2.0 L mStallion Petrol engine, which produces 197 hp and 380 Nm of Torque.

Second, it packs a 2.2 L mStallion Diesel engine , which produces 182 hp and 420 Nm of Torque ( For Manual ) and 450 Nm of Torque ( For Automatic ).

Price

Well, what about the prices, you ask? Then, the 2023 Tata Safari Facelift starts from ₹16.19 lakhs up to ₹25.94 lakhs. 

About the Mahindra XUV 700, it commences from ₹14.03 lakhs up to ₹26.57 lakhs. 

Therefore, it technically makes the XUV 700 much pricier compared to the Safari.

Verdict

It is time to pack up! We might have quite leaned towards the XUV 700 or maybe the Safari; it is on you, after all, how you took it. But we do not hate any of the products because both of them, as said earlier, have a different purpose. Even though they lie in the same segment, they still carry two different purposes. One which promises a luxurious ride with plenty of features and physical satisfaction ( comfort-wise, obviously ), on the other hand, the XUV 700 promises to be a real SUV with a slew of features and visual satisfaction. 

So, they both are great. All that matters is to you; what would you choose? Would you have Comfort with nice looks? Or Driving Pleasure with great features?

Some more for you

Click this to read everything about the newly launched 2023 Tata Safari Facelift

Click this to read about the new Safest Car in India, it is not the VW Taigun!

Click this to read about the upcoming Mahindra XUV.e8, XUV 700's EV version