Tata Safari Storme Review

Hello Everyone..!! I’m Siddharth Lal here again with my new post on the review of Tata Safari Storme , a new facelift version of Tata Safari Storme has been recently launched with 400Nm torque in the top-end VX variant. The aspects covered in this post are engine, milage, dimensions, performance, exterior styling, interiors and the ownership experience of my friend Neeraj Karwal whose Safari I have tested. I have driven Tata Safari Storme earlier as well once on a road trip from Delhi to Amritsar (Punjab) and yesterday I have tested this Beast for keeping it for a day.    

Tata Safari has always fascinated me with its rugged poise and presence and has remained my favourite SUV since its launch in the year 1998. I always wanted to buy one but every time used to back-off as the cars of Tata Motors carried an image of “unreliability” and are heavy on pocket as the quality of parts and accessories are not upto the mark and needs frequent maintenance.But surprisingly my friend told me that his Safari Storme has never failed him, he has driven his car on the highways & ruff-terrains and the SUV proved to be tuff and unstoppable. No cases of failed spares, electrical parts, engine heat-up issues and small nibble issues. (as these issues were quite common in all previous Tata Cars). The only problem he faces is of the rattling noises of doors on rough roads. To my knowledge all the new models of Tata are now improved and are upto the automobile standards except for Tata Indica eV2 and Indigo eCS. The service interval of Tata Safari Storme is after every 20,000 kms and the normal service costs Rs 7000-8000 per service at Tata Motors authorised workshop ( Engine Oil: Rs 2,475 + Oil Filter: Rs 450 + Air Filter: Rs 850 + Manual Transmission Oil: Rs 420 + Brake oil: Rs 400 + Service charge: RS 1850 + Service tax). Service charge include exterior washing & polishing, interior vacuuming & polishing, lubricating and lightning-up loose bolts and joints. 

Now lets begin with the review and road test below.

Note: Top-End Model VX gets 400 VariCOR Engine with 400Nm Torque

Safari Storme LX model 2013, The new LX model gets Grey bumpers and side claddings

Exterior Styling 

At a glance, the Safari Storme resembles the previous model Safari Dicor, but if you look closely you will notice a new honeycomb front grill with Safari Storme embossing on elongated chrome bar placed just above the grill on the bonnet which adds to an upmarket feel. New Projector type Head lamps with PES ring and liner shaped bumper with round shaped chrome surrounded fog-lamps adds another distinction to the previous model. The side look is also a bit similar expect for the change in the body-coloured side cladding, door handles, Chrome plated ORVM’s with in-built turn indicators and new 5 spokes alloy wheels which look sporty. No spare wheel at the rear and a thick grey colour plastic strip just under the back glass makes this model look different. The clear lens rear tail-lamps looks cheap and the two chrome surrounded round shaped houses for exhaust pipe looks sporty. This model also look like the Land Rover Discovery (previous model). 

This new model of Safari has still retained the Macho character, it looks really Big, Bold and Aggressive due to its enormous Width and Height plus the styling of the angular and edgy new projector headlamps, grill and the wide 235/55 R16 tyres adds to the Aggressive looks of Storme. The Storme looks much more aerodynamically shaped and in my opinion is the best looking SUV in it's class. 

After-market wider 255 section tyres with Alloy wheels are installed in this LX model

VX 4x4 model displayed at Tata Concorde Showroom in South Ex New Delhi

4WD model gets 4x4 logo at the rear

Chrome surrounded Twin Exhaust-pipe looks Sporty

Interior 

This is where the Safari Storme has got a complete makeover, it comes with stylised Java Black Interiors with Silver accents backed by high quality fabrics and plastics inside. The gear knob and 3-spoke steering wheel is leather-wrapped and the overall interior fit and finish has been improved drastically. The quality of switches and knobs has been improved making it more reliable. The speedo dials offer clear view and are easily readable with white back-light. 

VX Model Interiors (150 VariCOR)

The Storme has a in-built CONNECTNEXT music system with steering mounted audio controls. The entertainment system supports AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. I will be adding a complete feature list of all the models of Tata Safari Storme at the end of this post in a tabular format.

Comfort

In terms of comfort and space, there is no other SUV in this segment which comes close to Safari. 

You will surely get the feel of “ King of Roads” once you step inside the Safari as the driving and seat height position is far better than its competitors and even better than the segment above SUVs like Endeavour. The other cars and vehicles on the road looks like tiny due to its height and high seating position and you will feel as if you are driving a mini-truck (in terms of size not drive), I'm serious it looks so big that whenever i drive Safari on the road i have a fear “what will happen to the other vehicles if i accidentally hit them”. 

Rear Arm-rest with Storage space and Cup-Holders

Safari Storme is really spacious and the seats are very comfortable. The rear seat is so comfortable that it will make you feel like as if you are sitting on a sofa and you wont get tired on long drives. There is enormous leg-room and shoulder-room in the cabin that is more than the Scorpio, XUV500 and even Fortuner. 

Front Seats off Excellent Back-support

Best in class leg-room and most comfortable back seat

There is good storage space available in the cabin with big glove box, there are enough bottle holders and cup holders in this SUV with storage good storage space available just above it’s rear A/C vents. It has tremendous boot capacity of 981 litres and the rear seats are foldable for added space. 

 A/C Vents for Rear Passengers one at behind the Front Arm rest and other above the middle row on the Roof 

New LX model does not get Jump-Seats

981 Litres of Boot Space, 60:40 Split Seats

Engine and Gearbox

Tata Safari Storme is powered by the most powerful engine in its segment and thats the 2.2L  VariCORE CRDI engine with VGT Turbo which generates an output of 150 Bhp at 4000 RPM and 320 Nm of torque which starts to kick-in at 1700 RPM whereas the Top-end model VX is powered by a 400 VariCOR engine generating 400nm of torque. This diesel engine is very responsive and driver-focused. 

Robust 2.2 L 150 variCOR Engine

It is equipped with a 5 speed transmission and  the gearshift is smooth as compared to the previous model and is positioned well. VX model gets a 6 Speed manual transmission and 4 wheel drive mode is optional. One can easily change the gears by resting their hand on the centre arm-rest. 

Performance 

Well step inside and just accelerate the Safari to its limits, I'm very much sure it will leave smiles on your face. Tata Safari has always been a performer be it on road or off road. Enjoy and try to be aggressive with this beast and it will make you happy with its robust performance, it will make you feel as if its an angry bull telling you to free him off (I tried this). Engine sound and vibrations has been controlled well by Tata and minimal turbo lag is the USP of Safari which avoids the need of frequent gear shifts. It can even pull from a minimum speed of 20 Km/Hr on 3rd gear and a speed of 40 Km/Hr on 5th gear. Safari reaches a speed of 100 Km/Hr under 16secs and I have achieved a top speed of 160 Km/Hr on Greater Noida Express way (Uttar Pradesh) returning a milage of 9-10 Km/L in city drive with Ac and 13-14 Km/L on the Highway (Tested). 

Safari felt very firm and stable at the speed of 160 Km/Hr with less engine noise and wind noise. It is stable on sharp curves at a speed of 60 Km/Hr thanks to its new suspension and body frame which is moulded and shaped instead of cutting and joints. The turning radius has been reduced to 5.6m and the steering is light and responsive. Body-roll has been controlled which adds to stability and the ride is comfortable as it easily passes on even big pot-holes. Tata Safari Storme is surely a fun to drive SUV both in the city and on highways. 

Braking and Safety 

Braking always remained a cause of worry in Tata Safari but the braking of Storme has been drastically improved. It doesn't looses control while braking at high speeds due to ABS, EBD with Brake assist, ESP and Traction control. Two front air-bags adds to more safety. 

Complete Feature list:

Safari Storme carries a Warranty of 3 Years or 1,00,000 Kms 

All these goodies helps Safari to live its legacy. Tata Safari has an average sales figure on 1000-1200 cars in a month which is really less as compared to Scorpio and Innova this maybe due to the bad image of Tata cars and poor after sale services. Well in the end all I can assure you is that this Bull is very much worth giving a try and you will never go wrong with it. If you are a true rugged SUV lover and loves road presence then Safari is the one for you but don't go in for a 5-6 years old used Safari. I hope you liked my post, do leave your valuable comments below. Good Bye..!