Tata Safari Storme Vs Rest of the Competition

[Raja]

I have tested the Storme on only well paved roads and some 4-5 speed breakers and hence I am not writing the comparo before I do one more TD on every sort of road, which I'll be doing as soon as I reach my home and get the free time of a day or two.
But as per my initial impressions, XUV feels to be less bumpy at low speed at least and I am intact at my point.
In terms of gearshift, my dear I don't even like the way the gear lever of XUV is finished, I mean I find it looking odd and same is with shifts..it isn't having the short throws and short gate-gate travel like other 6 speed ones have and when you engage the lever into any gate then you feel it a bit rubbery. Though Storme is also having long travel between gears but it doesn't feel as rubbery as the XUV does.

Dunno why, but after driving the Storme I am feeling to compare it with Aria, especially in ride, high speed stability and comfort department. What's your take on Aria as compared to Storme?


And what about braking distance? I think braking distance is more important and it's the place where Safari has a bad reputation. The hulking SUV carries a lot of momentum to stop in very short distances.


I'll be commenting on this after one more TD, but till now I am in the favor of XUV. To me features doesn't matter that much, what matters is how the vehicle drives and how it behaves on various kind of inputs and it's where I find XUV better...at least till now.

the braking is seriously impressive try it you will be happy.
On storme thread I have put some pics of the broken road I drove the storme ,at whatever speed you travel the storme amazes you . While the xuv will give you a lot of movement inside.
Lane cutting at 100kmph I found the storme more confidence inspiring then aria.high speed stability is more or less same in both.

 

[THE XOVER]

Guys found out one more review,where the reviewer talks about Storme having better composure than XUV during bends at high speeds.Read this:

The Safari Storme is still based on a ladder-frame design but the new structure is 2.5 times more rigid than the current model. The difference is evident in the way the SUV maintains in composure around bends. The body-roll isn’t as pronounced as the XUV500 and doesn’t feel as fidgety either. However, the highest speed we could reach during our test was 120 kmph and the stability was never a concern. Can’t say the same about the XUV500 though.

How is this possible that a real 4X4 Ladder Chassis based tall SUV has better road-behaviour than a low slung monocoque Soft-roader??Inputs anyone!!

Either this was a paid review or something was wrong!! I still can't believe for the life of me that a tall BOF SUV handles better at high speeds when compared to a Urban soft-roader!!!!!

If this review is correct than it means TATA has done a remarkable job with suspension tuning of Storme.



The review in question is this:Tata Safari Storme VX-4x4-BS-IV Performance Review | On cars Reviews | Tata Safari Storme cars | OnCars.in

 

[Raja]

Guys found out one more review,where the reviewer talks about Storme having better composure than XUV during bends at high speeds.Read this:



How is this possible that a real 4X4 Ladder Chassis based tall SUV has better road-behaviour than a low slung monocoque Soft-roader??Inputs anyone!!

Either this was a paid review or something was wrong!! I still can't believe for the life of me that a tall BOF SUV handles better at high speeds when compared to a Urban soft-roader!!!!!

If this review is correct than it means TATA has done a remarkable job with suspension tuning of Storme.



The review in question is this:Tata Safari Storme VX-4x4-BS-IV Performance Review | On cars Reviews | Tata Safari Storme cars | OnCars.in

why can't it handle better ? Drive it you will understand.

 

[THE XOVER]

why can't it handle better ? Drive it you will understand.

Buddy, I am not saying that it can not be done.I am only trying to play the "Devil's Advocate" and saying that it is difficult for a tall BOF vehicle where the chassis is bolted /screwed with body to beat a low slung soft-roader, whose body and chassis are welded into unison for more rigidity, especially when it comes to handling and body roll during bends at high speeds.

I am only saying that if what this and other reviews are mentioning is true then it means that TATA has done a remarkable job with suspension/chassis tuning of Storme.



PS: Remember here we are only talking about on-road dynamics of Storme,but since it's a real SUV,so when it comes to go off-beaten paths,it will easily decimate all soft-roader in its track with help of LSD and low range 4x4 gearbox.


THE X-OVER

 

[Raja]

Buddy, I am not saying that it can not be done.I am only trying to play the "Devil's Advocate" and saying that it is difficult for a tall BOF vehicle where the chassis is bolted /screwed with body to beat a low slung soft-roader, whose body and chassis are welded into unison for more rigidity, especially when it comes to handling and body roll during bends at high speeds.

I am only saying that if what this and other reviews are mentioning is true then it means that TATA has done a remarkable job with suspension/chassis tuning of Storme.



PS: Remember here we are only talking about on-road dynamics of Storme,but since it's a real SUV,so when it comes to go off-beaten paths,it will easily decimate all soft-roader in its track with help of LSD and low range 4x4 gearbox.


THE X-OVER

Every speed breaker makes the xuv stop while passing it and one needs to be carefull .
Now see the pics I posted in my test drive report of the storme I was driving storme in 3 gear 30-50kmph speed and storme was extremely comfertable in dealing with them .

Lane cutting at 100kmph is easy and confidence inspiring . And same like aria you don't feel you are driving a huge car .
But I found the xuv also good in lane cuttings and reduced body roll .

I lost interest in xuv because of the bad ride quality compared to storme and looks . Storme looks massive , elegant and stylish .

 

[jayadev]

Too much of facial lines and awkward rear is getting on my nerves .. Xuv looks too bad nowadays.

 

[Gurrala74]

+100 Jayadev, Whatever XUV looks great is only from the front and rear is completely reverse to it !!

 

[Superbad]

Guys found out one more review,where the reviewer talks about Storme having better composure than XUV during bends at high speeds.Read this:



How is this possible that a real 4X4 Ladder Chassis based tall SUV has better road-behaviour than a low slung monocoque Soft-roader??Inputs anyone!!

Either this was a paid review or something was wrong!! I still can't believe for the life of me that a tall BOF SUV handles better at high speeds when compared to a Urban soft-roader!!!!!

If this review is correct than it means TATA has done a remarkable job with suspension tuning of Storme.



The review in question is this:Tata Safari Storme VX-4x4-BS-IV Performance Review | On cars Reviews | Tata Safari Storme cars | OnCars.in

the reviews are not consistent to say the least.

when others mention the presence of body roll and turbo lag , there are members quick to point out that the reviewer is bashing tata or biased against tata.

so unless there is a creditable/unbiased review, one cannot infer based on the points mentioned in a single review.

 

[THE XOVER]

the reviews are not consistent to say the least.

They are also consistent in stating one fact,i.e.,"it's much better than competition."Autocar review(website one not Renuks one) describes Storme as the best highway cruiser in its segment.

when others mention the presence of body roll and turbo lag , there are members quick to point out that the reviewer is bashing tata or biased against tata.

Here is one more review which mentions about the body roll alright,but calls it much better than XUV in that department:Tata Safari Storme SUV Review – 2012 Road Test Drive | IndianCarsBikes.in

I think few things are absolutely certain:

1. There is turbo lag(mild).

2. There is body roll.

But how much vis-a vis the competition that is the question.And almost every single review that has compared Storme's body roll against XUV says that Storme has less body roll than XUV at high speeds.

To be honest with you even I am surprised as how TATA have managed to achieve this.As far as sublime ride goes,well that was pretty expected from Safari.

so unless there is a creditable/unbiased review, one cannot infer based on the points mentioned in a single review.

So you are saying that all reviews are biased.I don't think so.It depends upon person to person,Ms Kriplani may have found unnerving body roll,while Sidhart Patankar may not have,but the question is what was their benchmark of measuring body roll for such car.

 

[jayadev]

the reviews are not consistent to say the least.

when others mention the presence of body roll and turbo lag , there are members quick to point out that the reviewer is bashing tata or biased against tata.

so unless there is a creditable/unbiased review, one cannot infer based on the points mentioned in a single review.

I agree with Superbad. most of the official Tds I've come across were like academic type inclined towards subjective taste.
One cannot infer clear cut quality of this car from any of them.I am waiting for a proper one.

 

[Superbad]

They are also consistent in stating one fact,i.e.,"it's much better than competition."Autocar review(website one not Renuks one) describes Storme as the best highway cruiser in its segment.


Here is one more review which mentions about the body roll alright,but calls it much better than XUV in that department:Tata Safari Storme SUV Review – 2012 Road Test Drive | IndianCarsBikes.in

I think few things are absolutely certain:

1. There is turbo lag(mild).

2. There is body roll.

But how much vis-a vis the competition that is the question.And almost every single review that has compared Storme's body roll against XUV says that Storme has less body roll than XUV at high speeds.

To be honest with you even I am surprised as how TATA have managed to achieve this.As far as sublime ride goes,well that was pretty expected from Safari.

So you are saying that all reviews are biased.I don't think so.It depends upon person to person,Ms Kriplani may have found unnerving body roll,while Sidhart Patankar may not have,but the question is what was their benchmark of measuring body roll for such car.

long story short ,I am waiting for an official review from IRON ROCK for inference.

 

[Iron Rock]

long story short ,I am waiting for an official review from IRON ROCK for inference.

We are still awaiting the media test drive vehicle(though its promised), i guess just need to wait for the Storme to be launched this side of the world.

Hopefully all answers can be given then.

 

[MrRanger]

the reviews are not consistent to say the least.

when others mention the presence of body roll and turbo lag , there are members quick to point out that the reviewer is bashing tata or biased against tata.

so unless there is a creditable/unbiased review, one cannot infer based on the points mentioned in a single review.

So for you if some one bash TATA badly then it would be a great review and reviewer is so consistent

 

[THE XOVER]

long story short ,I am waiting for an official review from IRON ROCK for inference.

I agree.Even I am waiting for IR's review of Storme.

But that doesn't change the fact that whoever has driven Storme thus far has came away impressed,infact very impressed.

Lets see when we will see "Official TAI Review" of Storme.That should clear up all doubts especially since IR is current owner of XUV,so he can also provide a nice comparo between these two vehicles,which should make the task easy for somewhat confused souls like me.

Appeal to IRON ROCK:

Please compare the body roll behaviour of Storme with XUV at good speeds to give us the final verdict.

 

[Superbad]

So for you if some one bash TATA badly then it would be a great review and reviewer is so consistent

no . because a coin has two sides to it. so if one dismisses the presence of the other side, then the existence of the value of the coin is in question