New Tata Safari Vs Mahindra XUV 500, Dimensions And Powertrains Compared

2021 has already seen a flurry of launches in the seven-seat SUV category with the MG Hector Plus getting a facelift in January and the all-new Tata Safari launching this month. Hyundai is reportedly also developing a 7-seat version of their best-selling Creta. Currently, the Mahindra XUV 500 is the oldest vehicle in the category, as it has been a decade since it was launched. Today we have this specifications comparison between the oldest and newest 7-seater SUVs, the Mahindra XUV 500 and the Tata Safari.

Dimensions

The Mahindra XUV 500 has been the go-to choice if a someone was looking to buy a 7-seater SUV under Rs 20 lakh for a while now. But compared to the new Tata Safari, the XUV 500 is smaller in all aspects, especially the wheelbase which means it is smaller inside as well. The Safari is considerably longer while also being a smidge taller and wider. The Safari also comes with the option of either a 6-seater or 7-seater while the XUV 500 is only offered as a 7-seater. The XUV 500 does have a larger boot space compared to the Safari when all seats are up, but the latter offers more space when the third row is tucked away. Surprisingly, even if the Safari is larger, it weighs less than the XUV 500 by 35 kgs.

Powertrains

Both SUVs are powered by 4-cylinder turbo-diesels. The Tata Safari is powered by an FCA-sourced 2-litre unit while the XUV 500’s unit is slightly bigger at 2.2-litres. The XUV’s bigger engine produces 10 Nm of torque more than the Safari, but the Tata makes 15 Ps more power. Transmission wise both SUVs can be paired to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

During the first few years of being on sale, you could buy a 4WD Mahindra XUV 500 upon request but was later discontinued as sales were very low. The Tata Safari’s older models came with 4WD variants as well, but the new one is front-wheel-drive only, as is the XUV 500 currently. Tata has mentioned though that if there is a high enough consumer demand, the new Safari’s Land Rover derived platform can be fitted with an AWD system. One point worth noting is that the launch of the next-generation XUV 500 is right around the corner which will come with an all-new design and specs. It is most likely to be larger than the current model and will come with updated engines as well. It will be interesting to see how the all-new XUV 500 will fare against the new Safari.