Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the Safari SUV in the Indian market. The bookings on the SUV have already begun but the price will be announced on 22nd February 2021. But it is speculated that the Safari will be priced starting at INR 15 lakh ex-showroom mark which brings it quite close to the INR 16.99 lakh ex-showroom price of the Jeep Compass SUV. In this technical specification comparison, we pin the Safari against the premium Compass SUV.
Powering the Tata Safari is an FCA-derived 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel motor that produces 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed manual as well as a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The same engine powers the Jeep Compass in the diesel avatar which makes 173 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque, but Jeep also offers a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that belts out 163 HP of power and 250 Nm of torque. The Jeep Compass is also offered with a 6-speed manual on both petrol and diesel, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic on the petrol and a 9-speed automatic on the diesel engine.
The Tata Safari measures 4661mm in length, 1894mm in width and 1786mm in height and is able to accommodate 7-seats in three rows. The Jeep Compass measures 4405mm in length, 1818mm in width and 1640mm in height and comes in the 5-seat configuration. The brand is likely to bring a 7-seat version as well in the near future.
While the Safari features only a front-wheel-drive architecture, the Land Rover D8 derived OMEGA-ARC platform is capable of four-wheel drive train as well as electrification but currently neither is offered on the Safari. The Jeep Compass, however, keeps up to its name and is offered with four-wheel drive on select models.
The Safari comes with projector headlamps with Xenon HID lamps, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, 7-inch digital instruments with an analogue speedometer, 8.8-inch infotainment with IRA connected features, 9-speaker JBL sound system, premium Ashwood finished dashboard with soft-touch top, Oyster White upholstery and plethora of active and passive safety features available right from the base trim. The Compass comes with Projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, LED fog lamps, 10.25-inch fully digital instruments cluster, 10.1-inch floating touchscreen infotainment equipped with the latest UConnect 5 connected features, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice control, Ventilated Seats with 8-way power adjustment, etc.