Tata Motors introduced the Safari in India, little did the company know that its first true blood SUV will keep battling the competition fiercely for so long. The Safari has braved various tides across its tenure. The boys at Tata Motors were determined to bring in a new version of this cult SUV but with a refined persona. Changing the way it looks, feels and performs but without compromising on the basic essence of Safari. Thus, Tata Safari Storme was born. The Safari Storme is available at a price range of Rs. 9.95 - Rs. 13.65 lakhs
The premium Mahindra XUV500 (pronounced as Five Double O) when launched on 29th September 2011, was a bomb dropped, as it was packed with fantastic features, killer looks and way lesser priced than the one market speculated. The Mahindra XUV500 is available at a price range of Rs. 10.85 - Rs. 14.69 lakhs
The Mahindra XUV500`s looks are by far the best available at that price and more. The pouncing cheetah inspired lines that run on the XUV500 leave an impressive mark on everyone eyes it. We were virtually stocked by all who wanted a glimpse of it and were asked all sorts of questions about it. Its direct rivals are not even close to what this looks like. The XUV500 even though is an SUV; at that price it’s giving the sedans a tough fight too.
Tata Safari Storme Vs Mahindra XUV500
With the Storme, Tata Motors wanted to express their maturity in design. The new design language of it drops delicious hints of the British Land Rover connect. It has got a well rounded design and looks very modern from all angles. The flat head and longish bonnet brings a new element in the Safari. The Tata Safari has always had the looks of a macho SUV. It does not have wild and aggressive lines as such but then its matured looks always illustrated power in a controlled way.
Tata Safari Storme Vs Mahindra XUV500 Interiors
It may not exactly be a premium SUV but then the Safari Storme shows tremendous improvement over the earlier offering. The sand and chocolate wood colors used in the interior feel nice and plush. The dashboard, central console and the door handles are done in wooden vinyls and none of it looks overly done. The front dashboard design remains same with lots of straight and square lines.
The fantastic fierce exterior styling has floored us completely and we were really excited to know whether the feel good feeling is continued in the interior as well. The look and the feel of it is nice however, the story is little different inside. The interior of the Mahindra XUV500 comes in dual tone. The upholstery is finished in premium quality leather. As one enters in the cabin, one notices matte aluminum finish don’t to the door handles.
Tata Safari Storme Vs Mahindra XUV500 Performance
The Mahindra XUV500 is powered by a 2179cc mHawk140, Direct injection diesel engine with 5th generation Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT). The mill is capable of producing a peak power of 140 bhp at 3750 rpm and a torque of 330 Nm at 1600 - 2800 rpm. It is powered by a 6- speed manual shift. The mHawk unit is borrowed from the one presently slogging on the Mahindra Scorpio. The one used in XUV500 is a tweaked version of the same displacement engine. The one on Scorpio produces a power of 120 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 290 Nm at 1800 – 2800 rpm.
Tata Safari Storme Vs Mahindra XUV500
The Safari Storme features an improved version of the DICOR called the VariCOR engine which promises to be more reliable and efficient with less vibration. The VariCOR unit has the same displacement of 2179cc. It produces a maximum power of 140 PS at 4000 rpm and a torque of 320 Nm at a range of 1700 to 2700 rpm. Some of the characteristics of the Safari are felt in the Storme too. Crank up the key and the Storme gets evidently alive as the VariCOR produces a good kick as soon as the engine is started. It is not an agile vehicle at all also on lower rpms the Storme just gets too lazy to make any move
Tata Safari Storme Vs Mahindra XUV500 Conclusion
Safari Storme comes forward as a very promising SUV. With the new additions and changes, it proves to be a serious contender in the now popular SUV segment. There is also news about Tata Motors launching a more powerful and luxurious version of the Safari Storme. Also an automatic variant is in consideration too.
The XUV500 is definitely an achievement by Mahindra. It’s a sign of a truly international design language that future Mahindra vehicles will follow. The XUV500 has made many who wished to go for a premium SUV change their minds and give this a serious thought. The value for money appeal of the XUV is the luring point for all.
