The Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari are both midsize SUVs with seating for up to 7 occupants. While they are offered with petrol and diesel engines with manual and automatic transmission options, we will be focusing on their respective diesel-automatic versions here. Let us find out which one of these two home-grown SUVs offers better performance in the real world.
Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Specifications
The XUV 7XO’s displacement advantage becomes clear out on the open road
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Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Engine specifications |
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Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AT |
Tata Safari diesel AT |
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Engine |
4 cyls, turbocharged diesel |
4 cyls, turbocharged diesel |
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Displacement (cc) |
2184 |
1956 |
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Power (hp) |
185 |
170 |
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Torque (Nm) |
450 |
350 |
Under the bonnet of the Tata Safari diesel is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces 170hp and 350Nm of torque. However, the Safari’s oil burner has a displacement that is 228cc lower than the unit powering the Mahindra XUV 7XO, whose 2.2-litre mill offers 15hp and a significant 100Nm more torque than the Safari’s engine. While the extra amount of torque allows the Mahindra SUV to get a move on quicker out on the open road, that performance comes at a cost. And that cost is the entry price of the XUV 7XO diesel AT, something we have explained later in the story.
Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: 0-100kph acceleration test
Mahindra’s SUV is quicker than the Safari across the board
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Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Acceleration from rest (in seconds) |
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Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AT |
Tata Safari diesel AT |
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20kph |
1.25 |
1.29 |
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40kph |
2.78 |
3.13 |
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60kph |
4.56 |
5.19 |
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80kph |
6.95 |
8.24 |
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100kph |
9.97 |
12.09 |
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120kph |
13.74 |
17.53 |
During our acceleration tests, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel took just 9.97 seconds to go from a standstill to 100kph, with the Tata Safari diesel taking 2.12 seconds longer to reach 100kph. Mahindra has given the XUV 7XO Zip, Zap and Zoom drive modes – Zoom being the sportiest setting. While the Tata Safari also comes with three drive modes (Eco, City and Sport), it features paddle shifters for extra engagement behind the wheel.
As far as the automatic gearboxes of these cars are concerned, and despite missing paddle shifters, it is the XUV 7XO’s unit that is quicker to downshift when required. The engine refinement is noticeably better in the Mahindra XUV 7XO, whereas the Tata Safari’s diesel unit produces a distinct clatter at idle.
Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Rolling acceleration tests
The Safari trails behind the XUV 7XO regardless of the acceleration metrics
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Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Rolling acceleration (in seconds) |
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Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AT |
Tata Safari diesel AT |
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20-80kph |
5.87 |
7.33 |
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40-100kph |
7.36 |
10 |
Accelerating from 20-80kph, the Tata Safari diesel trails behind the XUV 7XO by barely 1.5 seconds. However, during the 40-100kph run, our tests showed that this gap widens to a noticeable 2.64 seconds in the Mahindra’s favour.
Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Braking test
Performance of both SUVs is comparable under heavy braking
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Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Braking test |
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Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AT |
Tata Safari diesel AT |
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80-0kph distance (in metres) |
26.74 |
27.1 |
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80-0kph time (in seconds) |
2.36 |
2.35 |
It is not only in outright acceleration where the Mahindra XUV 7XO outperforms the Tata Safari, but it repeated this trend during our braking test as well. Under our simulated panic-braking scenario, the XUV 7XO managed to come to a dead stop from 80kph over a distance of 26.74 metres. For reference, the Safari needed another 0.36 metres (or roughly 1.2 feet) to come to a full stop.
Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Prices
The Safari diesel AT's base trim costs far less than the XUV 7XO’s
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Mahindra XUV 7XO vs Tata Safari diesel AT: Prices |
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Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AT |
Tata Safari diesel AT |
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Price range (in Rs, lakh) |
23.92-24.92 |
19.10-25.45 |
The most affordable AX7L trim of the XUV 7XO diesel automatic starts at Rs 23.92 lakh, making it Rs 4.82 lakh more expensive than the Safari’s Pure X automatic. At the top end, however, it is the Safari’s Accomplished + 6S trim that commands a premium of Rs 53,000 over its equivalent XUV 7XO. It is also important to note that the latter gets all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the Tata Safari is only available with front-wheel drive (FWD).
Autocar India’s testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
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