Tata Safari vs Mahindra XUV700: Power, Space & Price in 2025

ata Safari vs Mahindra XUV700

The Indian SUV market is witnessing an epic showdown between two homegrown champions—the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV700. Both represent the pride of Indian automotive engineering, offering families a compelling blend of space, features, and performance. But which one deserves to occupy your driveway in 2025? Let’s dive deep into this comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.

The Contenders: Heritage Meets Innovation

The Tata Safari carries forward a legendary nameplate that defined adventure for an entire generation of Indians. The 2025 Tata Safari is a seven-seater SUV known for its style, comfortable ride, premium features and a 5-star safety rating from both Global and Bharat NCAP. With its striking design and emphasis on premium comfort, the Safari aims to be the ultimate family SUV that balances luxury with practicality.

The Mahindra XUV700 burst onto the scene as a game-changer, bringing technology and features that were previously reserved for luxury vehicles. The Mahindra XUV700 boasts an impressive road presence, and its airy cabin is available in five, six, and seven-seater configurations. It represents Mahindra’s commitment to creating world-class products that can compete with the best in the segment.

Price Comparison: Value for Money

When it comes to pricing, both SUVs are positioned competitively. The Tata Safari SUV ex-showroom prices start from ₹14.66 lakh for the Smart variant (Base Model) and range tops out at ₹25.96 lakh (ex-showroom) with the Accomplished X Plus 6-Seater Stealth variant (Top Model).

Mahindra XUV700 price starts at Rs 13.66 Lakh ex-showroom for MX 7Str (Petrol) and Tata Safari price starts Rs 14.66 Lakh ex-showroom for Smart (Diesel). The XUV700 has a slight price advantage at the entry level, making it more accessible to budget-conscious buyers. However, the top-end variants of both SUVs are priced similarly, with the choice coming down to features and brand preference.

Both manufacturers offer attractive EMI schemes, with monthly payments starting from around Rs. 31,000-34,000, making these premium SUVs within reach of aspirational buyers.

Design Philosophy: Bold vs Futuristic

Exterior Styling

The Tata Safari facelift gets a striking and well executed exterior design with modern lighting elements and tasteful colour options. The Safari commands attention with its Range Rover-inspired design language. The massive chrome-studded grille, LED DRLs, stepped roofline, and muscular proportions give it an unmistakable road presence. Safari is available in colors like Cosmic Gold, Frost White, Pure Grey, Royal Blue, Supernova Copper and Daytona Grey.

Measuring 4,668mm in length, 1,922mm in width, and 1,795mm in height, the Safari looks substantial and imposing. The 205mm ground clearance ensures it can handle Indian road conditions with confidence.

The Mahindra XUV700 takes a more contemporary approach with its design. It features a distinctive front grille with vertical slats, sharp LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, and a sleek side profile with dynamic character lines. The XUV700 is longer than the Safari as is its wheelbase, while the latter is taller. At 4,695mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,755mm tall, the XUV700 has a more streamlined silhouette.

The XUV700 is available in 9 colours including Everest White, Valyrian Silver DT, Stealth Black, Valyrian Silver, Deep Forest, Midnight Black Dt, Burnt Sienna, Midnight Black and Everest White Dt. The 200mm ground clearance is adequate, though slightly lower than the Safari.

Interior Experience

The Safari can be had either as a 6-seater with captain seats or a 7-seater with bench seats for middle row occupants. Step inside the Safari, and you’re greeted with a premium cabin that feels more luxurious than its price suggests. The dashboard design is clean and functional, dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Premium materials, soft-touch plastics, and leather upholstery create an upscale ambiance.

Top features include ventilated first and second row seats (6-seater version), a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment, dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. The Safari’s cabin follows a theatre-style seating arrangement where second-row passengers sit slightly higher than the first row, offering excellent visibility.

The XUV700’s interior is equally impressive with its tech-forward approach. The XUV700’s interior is luxurious and tech-savvy with a dual-screen setup (10.25-inch digital cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment display). The twin-screen setup gives it a more modern, digital feel compared to the Safari’s single-screen layout.

Features include a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats in the front. The build quality is impressive with high-quality materials and excellent fit-and-finish throughout the cabin.

Space and Practicality: Room for the Family

This is where things get interesting. The XUV700 is longer than the Safari as is its wheelbase, while the latter is taller. Tata’s offering is marginally wider too.

First Row Comfort

The Safari offers better legroom, but the XUV700 gets more knee room. The difference between the two is negligible in those aspects. But the Tata offers notably more headroom and will be appreciated by tall drivers or co-passengers. Both SUVs offer excellent front-row comfort with supportive seats and good visibility.

Second Row Space

The Mahindra XUV700 continues to carry the trend into the second row by offering more shoulder space, while the Safari boasts more headspace. The XUV700’s longer wheelbase translates to better knee room, while the Safari’s taller cabin provides superior headroom.

The Safari follows a theatre or stadium-type seating arrangement. Thus, the second row passengers will be able to overlook the front row seats, besides getting a decent view of the road ahead. This design philosophy makes long journeys more enjoyable for rear passengers.

Third Row Reality Check

While this seems like a clean sweep for the XUV700 being more spacious than the Safari, there are some other factors to consider while evaluating its third row seats. The Mahindra’s tailend feels somewhat claustrophobic due to the lack of cabin lighting, the tall second row seats, and the restricted headspace.

For longer journeys, third-row occupants may prefer the six-seater Safari over the more spacious figures of the seven-seater XUV700. The Safari’s captain seats in the 6-seater configuration make third-row access significantly easier compared to the XUV700’s bench seat layout.

Boot Space

Safari comes with a boot space of 420 Litres. Both SUVs offer flat-folding third-row seats that create substantial cargo capacity when folded. However, with all seats up, boot space is limited in both vehicles—a common compromise in three-row SUVs.

Performance and Powertrain: Power Play

Tata Safari: Diesel Purist

The 2025 Tata Safari is powered by the proven 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine (170 PS, 350 Nm) mated to both 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Safari’s 4 cylinder, 1956 cc, Kryotec 2.0L BS6 Ph 2 Turbocharged Engine produces 167.67 bhp @ 3750 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1750 – 2500 rpm torque.

The Safari’s diesel engine is refined and offers adequate performance for daily driving and highway cruising. The power delivery is smooth and linear, with the engine’s sweet spot between 1,750-2,500 rpm providing strong mid-range punch. During the drive, the acceleration was very good. The engine and gearbox were well-tuned which meant that the engine was in its sweet spot 80% of the time.

Both the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions work seamlessly with the diesel engine. The automatic, in particular, is smooth and intuitive, making city driving effortless. The ARAI mileage of Tata Safari is between 14.1 – 16.3 kmpl.

Mahindra XUV700: Dual Power Options

This is where the XUV700 has a significant advantage—engine choice. The XUV700 is offered with one petrol engine and one diesel engine option. The former is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged mStallion unit which is tuned to produce 200 PS (197 hp; 147 kW) and 380 N⋅m.

The diesel option is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel capable of producing 185 PS (182 hp; 136 kW) and 420 N⋅m (manual) or 450 N⋅m (automatic).

The XUV thus has 10 hp and 100 Nm more than the Safari, which helps it accelerate faster and extra torque is always wonderful to have! It does the 0-100 kph sprint in just 10-11 seconds. This performance advantage is noticeable during highway overtaking and spirited driving.

The 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.2-litre turbo diesel engines provide ample power. The petrol engine is particularly impressive, offering refinement and strong performance without the typical diesel clatter. The claimed mileage of XUV700 is 17 kmpl.

The XUV700 also offers an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option with the diesel automatic, giving adventure seekers genuine off-road capability that the front-wheel-drive-only Safari can’t match.

Features and Technology: The Tech War

Tata Safari: Premium Essentials

Infotainment and Connectivity:

12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
10.25-inch digital driver’s display
JBL premium audio system with 10 speakers
Connected car technology with over 70 features
Wireless charging

Comfort Features:

Ventilated front and second-row seats (6-seater)
Panoramic sunroof
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Powered driver’s seat with memory function
Air purifier

Safety Technology: ADAS is available in the Accomplished+ variants, offering features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. The Level 2 ADAS suite includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

Six airbags are standard across all variants, along with electronic stability control, traction control, hill hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Mahindra XUV700: Tech Powerhouse

The XUV700 takes technology to another level. The XUV700’s interior is luxurious and tech-savvy with a dual-screen setup (10.25-inch digital cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment display).

Advanced Features: It gets features like passive keyless entry, a 6-way power seat with memory and welcome retract, and a memory function for ORVM. The Mahindra also features a 12-speaker premium 3D audio system from Sony.

Alexa integration with voice commands
AdrenoX connected car technology
Panoramic sunroof with ambient mood lighting
Dual-zone climate control
Wireless charging
360-degree camera

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: The top-end variant is equipped with advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technology tuned for Indian road conditions, making it the first Mahindra product to receive Level 1 autonomous tech. Even though both the SUVs come with ADAS suites, the Level 2 ADAS on the XUV700 feels more suited and tuned for Indian road conditions.

The ADAS suite includes:

Adaptive cruise control
Autonomous emergency braking
Lane keep assist
Traffic sign recognition
Smart Pilot Assist
Forward collision warning
High beam assist

Safety Equipment: The XUV700 offers up to seven airbags (six as standard in most variants), electronic stability control, hill hold control, traction control, and ISOFIX anchors. The XUV700 achieved a 5 star rating for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection in 2021 Global NCAP.

Ride Quality and Handling: On-Road Dynamics

Tata Safari: Comfort-Focused

Tata has tuned the suspension well to be comfortable and cushion harsh impacts. The Safari feels confident and comfortable at triple-digit speeds, making highway trips all the more enjoyable.

NVH was miles ahead of the 700 – damping is better in the Safari. Ride and handling was neck and neck with XUV with the Safari being a bit more silent in potholes. The Safari’s suspension setup—independent front and multi-link rear—absorbs bumps effectively while maintaining composure over broken roads.

Tata now uses an electric power steering, which has enabled them to provide a better steering response. It is light enough for quick u-turns and parking in tight spaces inside the city. At the same time, the weight felt satisfactory at high speeds.

The Safari prioritizes comfort over outright handling prowess. Body roll is present during aggressive cornering, but it’s well-controlled and predictable. The focus is clearly on providing a serene, comfortable experience for all occupants.

Mahindra XUV700: Balanced Performer

The XUV700 impresses with its handling manners. Its steering wheel is light, so manoeuvring it and making U-turns in the city is easy. The balance and stability on the highway is also praiseworthy.

The XUV700’s suspension—McPherson strut front and multi-link rear with frequency-selective damping—delivers an excellent balance between comfort and handling. The ride quality is plush, absorbing undulations with ease while maintaining good body control.

Being such a big SUV, there is body roll that creeps in around corners, though that is totally acceptable. However, the steering wheel doesn’t weigh up much at high speeds, so it can’t be called exciting around corners, yet it still remains predictable.

The XUV700 feels slightly more agile than the Safari thanks to its longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity. The AWD variants offer added confidence in challenging conditions, though most buyers will find the front-wheel-drive variants perfectly adequate.

Fuel Efficiency: Running Costs

XUV700 has a mileage of 17 kmpl (Diesel top model) and the Safari has a mileage of 16.3 kmpl (Diesel top model). In real-world conditions, both SUVs deliver similar fuel economy, typically ranging between 12-14 kmpl in mixed driving.

The XUV700’s petrol variant offers an alternative for buyers in cities with diesel restrictions. While it delivers lower fuel efficiency than the diesel (around 11-13 kmpl in real-world conditions), it provides smooth, refined performance without diesel’s typical noise and vibration.

Safari has a fuel tank capacity of 50 Litres. The fuel tank capacity of the Mahindra XUV700 is 60 liters. The XUV700’s larger fuel tank gives it better touring range between fill-ups.

Safety Standards: Protecting What Matters

Both SUVs take safety seriously, earning top ratings from global safety agencies. The 2025 Tata Safari is known for its 5-star safety rating from both Global and Bharat NCAP. The XUV700 achieved a 5 star rating for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection in 2021 Global NCAP.

The Safari offers six airbags as standard across all variants, a commendable move by Tata. The XUV700 also provides six airbags in most variants, with seven airbags available in top-end models.

Both SUVs feature comprehensive active and passive safety systems including:

Multiple airbags
Electronic stability program
Traction control
Hill hold control
ISOFIX child seat anchors
Tire pressure monitoring system
Three-point seatbelts for all passengers
High-strength steel construction

The key differentiator is the ADAS implementation, where both offer Level 2 systems, but with different tuning and effectiveness for Indian conditions.

Variant Lineup and Customization

The 2025 Tata Safari is offered in four core trims: Smart, Pure, Adventure, and Accomplished, with sub-variants like Plus (+), S (sunroof-equipped), and Dark Edition options. This structure provides buyers with clear choices based on their feature requirements and budget.

The 2025 Mahindra XUV700 is available in 6 broad variants: MX, AX3, AX5 Select, AX5, AX7, and AX7 Luxury Pack. The XUV700 has more variants on offer, compared to the Safari. This extensive variant lineup gives buyers more customization options but can also make the decision-making process more complex.

Ownership Experience: Long-Term Perspective

Service and Maintenance

Both Tata and Mahindra have extensive service networks across India, ensuring easy access to authorized service centers. The approximate service costs for Tata Safari range between ₹11,313 for 5 years.

The Safari comes with a standard 3-year/100,000 km warranty, with options to extend. Mahindra offers similar warranty coverage for the XUV700, with both manufacturers providing roadside assistance programs.

Service intervals for both SUVs are every 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Maintenance costs are comparable, with both SUVs requiring similar service procedures and parts replacement schedules.

Real-World Ownership

Tata’s focus now needs to be on ensuring quality control and a great service experience, which would make the Safari easier to recommend. User reviews suggest that while the Safari offers excellent value and features, some buyers have reported quality control issues and service experience inconsistencies.

The XUV700 has built a strong reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. According to data available online, Mahindra managed to sell around 90,745 units of the XUV700, while Tata could sell just 23,113 units of Safari during calendar year 2024. This sales success reflects strong customer confidence in the product.

Resale Value

Both vehicles hold their value reasonably well in the used car market. The Safari benefits from the legendary nameplate and Tata’s improving brand perception. The XUV700’s popularity and feature-rich offerings make it attractive in the used car segment as well.

The Verdict: Choosing Your Champion

In the epic battle between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700, both SUVs emerge as winners in different categories. The choice ultimately depends on your priorities and preferences.

Choose the Tata Safari if:

You prioritize a more premium, luxurious cabin feel
You prefer the 6-seater captain seat configuration
You want better third-row comfort for adults
Diesel-only powertrains are acceptable to you
You appreciate taller cabin and superior headroom
You prefer understated elegance over tech overload
Brand heritage and the Safari nameplate matter to you
You want slightly better NVH insulation

Choose the Mahindra XUV700 if:

You want more engine options (petrol and diesel)
Superior power and torque figures are important
You need AWD capability for adventure
You’re a tech enthusiast who values the latest features
More shoulder room and longer wheelbase appeal to you
You prefer a more modern, digital cabin experience
Lower starting price is a deciding factor
You want ADAS better tuned for Indian conditions
Higher sales volumes and popularity give you confidence

The Bottom Line

The Tata Safari represents refined elegance, premium comfort, and family-friendly practicality wrapped in a legendary nameplate. It’s the choice for buyers who value a more luxurious, comfortable experience with excellent third-row space.

The Mahindra XUV700 is the tech-forward, performance-oriented option that brings cutting-edge features and engine versatility. It’s ideal for buyers who want the most advanced technology, multiple powertrain options, and a more dynamic driving experience.

Both SUVs offer exceptional value in the full-size SUV segment, providing spacious interiors, comprehensive safety features, and robust performance. Your decision should be guided by test-driving both vehicles and determining which one better aligns with your specific needs, driving style, and family requirements.

Whichever you choose, you’re getting a world-class product from a proud Indian manufacturer—a SUV that can compete with the best in its segment while offering the unique combination of space, features, and value that Indian families demand. The future of Indian automotive excellence is here, and it comes in the form of these two remarkable SUVs.