Very small comparo between Tata safari storme 400(mahindra would have called it four-oh-oh,no doubt about it),new scorpio,and my old xuv.I test drove both in last two weeks.
First of all,Lets be clear,I was,and am still,to a lesser extent than before, biased strongly against tata.Reason-my colleagues petrol manza with saffire engine gave all sorts of problems in 6 years of ownership.Ultimately it had major engine overhaul.Even then it was a pain to maintain.He sold it in sept2015 and bought petrol ciaz and is enjoying the hassle free 1.4 kb series with maruti service.
STORM 400.vs Scorpio
In case of safari it was a shock as well as surprise in a good way.Its very- very comfortable and cosy to drive,especially over undulations and rough patches,like riding over a speed breaker or a 5-6 inch high divider.Pick up is good but still xuv throttle input is better.I did not miss the gizmos (while test driving) at all,lacking in the safari.Interior is very premium looking with soft touch plastics used everywhere.View from the seat over the bonnet and road is better than my xuv.The worst thing was when I climbed out of the last row, there was no way you can do it without putting your foot over the painted part.That hurt.Scorpio is much better here.Scorpio bumper flexes but took my wt. easily.
Scorpio is more practical than safari.But even after the gizmos given now, it is less plush,and less premium feeling than safari.
Safari suspension is best out of all the three.Its muted and non-jarring,unlike some deep potholes in xuv.Safari has better insulation from out side noise than scorpio.Tata has done a wonderful job in safari.Its a very capable vehicle and now I understand why it has a cult following.
BUT,scorpio is good in every other way!!Its more practical,more easily chukable in the city,and more easily parkable too.
While driving safari I felt I was driving a huge vehicle,but scorpio despite of the bulk felt more compact and smaller and drivable and turnable(maneuverable).
One peculiar thing I found out while driving over the same stretch in both cars.People are scared of me in scorpio,they give way,but not so in the bigger and heavier safari.!Why so?Even my xuv gets more respect from the Autos and bikewallas,as compared to safari.But its lesser than scorpio,which gets the max respect.
My mind says Scorpio is better,but my heart liked the safari and its plush ride more.Funny,because of my previous bias against tata.
If I go back in time and I have to plonk my money on one of them,will I choose storm400 or scorpio?
Answer: Neither of the two!!.I will again choose XUV,because of the flat and planted ride on the highway,confidence inspiring high speed turning maneuvers,monstrous pickup and beautiful looks and all the gizmos which I love(safari fans may hate them,but TPMS saved my 15000 rs tyres twice,after puncture.Moreover despite of 156bhp and all ,xuv still feels faster than storm,in the city as well as the highway.I wonder how was the previous safari storm,on the highway?
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