Hello Kinshuk,
Most of the ride experience till now has been summarized below-
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...t-my-safari-4x4-review-mods-5.html#post573939
It would be wrong to compare ride or comfort of Safari with XUV or anything else for that matter. Safari is a slow, Soft sprung, Cushy lumbering elephant. XUV is neat, Agile, Light, Spirited Jungle cheetah.
Here is a rough comparison of Safari vs XUV
1. Comfort. Much better in Safari. Not just compared to XUV but even as High as Merc sedan standards. Maybe more but not less. Most comfortable car below 50 lacs. Period.
2. Brakes take longer to stop the vehicle. XUV calculations do not work. Brain needs a re-learn. Especially true if you are cruising near 100.
3. Extremely heavy Clutch (ouch!), gearbox, Steering means your comfort levels will drop in city. A few initial rides I had knee pain due to very stiff truck like clutch. Now Other vehicle's clutch appears like stepping on feathers. Gearbox and steering is not that bad once you get the hang of it.
4. Huge play in steering. not good for stability over 120. Forget about making Moose Test in Safari (Emergency swerve)
5. Grip levels seem better. Even in RWD. Never I had wheelspin on my fairly old bridgestones. And I haven't even engaged 4x4. Taking inclines with unpaved/gravel roads are a cake.
6. RESPECT. Is definitely a level up or two. Good old macho looks and huge wide stance. People do move aside.
7. No Flat folding seats, means free space for luggage is actually LESS Than XUV. Yes you heard that right. XUV will hold more luggage and will be easier to load/unload too.
2nd row in Safari Folds forward, which eats about 6 inches of space, which is available for luggage in XUV. This was most noticeable when I had to load a Bicycle in Both of the cars.
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8. NVH is ages ahed in XUV. There is huge wind noise, which has prompted many owners to look for solutions (Me Included). It seems Major relief is only from opening dashboard and damping from inside. Which I want to avoid.
9. The lack of Features In Safari, Although I miss but are not as Alarming. Having High quality GPS, Media center, Touchscreen etc is solved by adding a neat phone in Safari Permanently. Rest of the things I do not miss much. My VX model has Airbags and ABS. A major plus there.
10. AC takes long time in Safari. Maybe its due to extra large glass area. Maybe Its design factor. Chills too much at night/Evenings but feels inadequate in Noon. The Roof AC for 2nd row is just for namesake although it seems to have its own Coil.
11. Performance is Much slower. This is where I do miss the XUV each and every time. Overtakes have to be planned both due to hefth/width and slow acceleration. Safari does not like to be floored and often complains if done so.
12. FE of Safari would 12 KMPL where in Same driving conditions XUV would return 16 KMPL. This has been mostly verified. However, The Safari FE does not dip much below 11KMPL, Whereas XUV could go down to 10 or so if driven like a maniac.
Many people I met had Misconceptions that a 4x4 would only return 7 KMPL. I was like bah. It returns same as 4x2s.
13. Size Matters. Being roughly 6 inch larger in every dimension (Height, length) means its a Pain to drive in Traffic. Safari is one vehicle I cannot Dare to drive in city without a navigator by my side. Safari is one of the widest vehicle I've driven. Barring a real truck, Safari is even wider then fortuner as well as XUV. Vision due to very thick A pillars is also not great.
Add this the extra wide turning circle of my 4x4 (Maybe 7 meters or more) means even my society exit is often a 3 point turn. Even the watchman gets confused what I keep doing so. Now a days he flings open doors far wide for me whenever he sees the safari.
14. The charm of Driving a Safari. All the memories of 20 years ago feel the same. Safari drive is a perfect medicine for Bad mood. Its hard to explain in words. And not many will understand it.
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