2026 Mahindra XUV 7XO Vs Tata Safari: Which One Has The Upper Hand? Let’s Find Out…

Mahindra has launched the facelift of the XUV700, now known as the XUV 7XO, and it brings with it a sharp new design, modern interior layout, new features, and improved ride quality. And with this renewed focus, the XUV 7XO is headed straight towards the Tata Safari, which has also received a new petrol engine along with some new features, bringing heat to the rivalry.

The Safari is Tata’s flagship ICE SUV, and has always offered an all-rounder package. Now, with the new turbo petrol engine and updated feature list, the Safari boasts a premium cabin experience along with a muscular exterior design and strong powertrain options. But is it all enough to win against the new Mahindra XUV 7XO? Let’s find that out! 

XUV 7XO Vs Safari: Dimensions And Stance

The new Mahindra XUV 7XO retains the same silhouette as the outgoing XUV700, meaning the shape is more tilted towards a sporty, elegant, and futuristic look. It follows Mahindra’s new ‘XO’ family design language. The front gets an updated bumper with a faux skid plate and new ice cube fog lights positioned at the bottom in a triangular space. Also new are the grille, C-shaped DRLs, and new bi-LED headlights. The rear also gets a new bumper with gloss black inserts, reworked taillights with honeycomb detailing and a black casing. From the side, it gets flush door handles and sits on new 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Tata Safari’s exterior design is built to give a muscular and commanding feeling, but it has seen no updates to its design since 2023. The front gets a chunky bumper with elements like LED projector headlights, LED fog lights with cornering function, and connected LED DRLs. The rear end comes with a flat tailgate design, LED-connected taillights, rear fog lights, and skid plates embedded in the bumper. At the side, the SUV runs on 19-inch alloy wheels, has body claddings, and roof rails to complete the overall muscular stance of the car. 

Here is a detailed comparison of their size:

The XUV 7XO is evidently bigger in length and wheelbase, while the Safari has a remarkably larger width and height. Both cars get a third row of seats and are very similar in cabin space. 

XUV 7XO Vs Safari Features And Safety Onboard: The Showdown

The interior of the Mahindra XUV 7XO feels like a segment apart. All the materials used are very premium, and the overall quality levels and fit and finish are impressive. The cabin is finished in a Lumina and Chestnut Brown colour theme. The interior layout looks very plush and modern, thanks to the new triple screen layout comprising three 12.3-inch display screens for the digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment system, and the passenger entertainment display. It also comes equipped with a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon Sound System with Dolby Atmos, a BYOD Entertainment Screen Slot, and built-in ChatGPT in the infotainment system. 

Coming towards the Tata Safari, the dashboard layout feels more sophisticated, and what also some buyers would appreciate is the absence of large connected triple screens. The fit and finish and plastic qualities do not match to that of the XUV 7XO, but it is not bad either. The cabin colour theme can be customised according to different variants, but the new petrol variants carry an Oyster White & Gold Interior theme.

Taking the centre stage is a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment screen powered by Samsung Neo QLED with built-in navigation, an arcade app suite and Alexa connectivity. Other key features on the Safari include a 10-speaker JBL sound system with Dolby Atmos, a powered tailgate, built-in dual dashcams, VisionSync memory ORVM with auto reverse dip, and dual camera washers.

Apart from these differences, features that are common in both cars include a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, ventilated front and rear seats, a electrically powered ‘Boss Mode’, dual-zone automatic climate control, multi-colour ambient lighting, touch-based display panel for AC controls, drive and traction/terrain modes, wireless phone connectivity with the infotainment system, connected car tech, and rear window sunshades. 

Speaking of safety tech, the XUV 7XO is offered with a Level-2 ADAS with Sense+ with the sensor field distance of 250m, radar with 3D object visualisation, and a 540-degree camera with front and rear sensors. The Safari, on the other hand, comes with a Level 2+ ADAS and offers a 360-degree camera, Digital IRVM and front and rear parking sensors.

Keeping the above differences apart, both cars come equipped with up to 7 airbags, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

XUV 7XO Vs Safari Drive And Powertrain Options: A Tight Contest

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is available with two engine options: a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Both engines are available in manual and automatic transmission options. The diesel engine is also offered with an optional all-wheel-drive drivetrain in the higher variants. The XUV 7XO now gets a DaVinci suspension, which quintessentially refers to Frequency Dependent Dampers. They keep shocks entering the cabin to a minimum, which results in a smooth ride quality.

Here are the detailed engine specifications:

Engine	2-litre mStallion turbo petrol	2.2-litre mHawk diesel
Power (PS)	203 PS	185 PS
Torque (Nm)	380 Nm	420 Nm(MT)/ 450 Nm(AT)
Transmission	6-speed MT / 6-speed AT	6-speed MT / 6-speed AT
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive / All-wheel drive

The Tata Safari is also offered with two engine options, which include the newly launched 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and a 2-litre diesel engine, with each of them being available in manual and automatic transmission options. However, there is no option of an all-wheel-drive drivetrain in any variant. 

Here are the detailed specifications: 

Engine	1.5-litre turbo-petrol	2-litre diesel
Power (PS)	170 PS	170 PS
Torque (Nm)	280 Nm	350 Nm
Gearbox Options	6-speed MT / 6-speed AT	6-speed MT / 6-speed AT
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive

Both cars go neck-to-neck in terms of engine offerings. But it is the Mahindra XUV 7XO that has a more powerful engine lineup, and not to forget the DaVinci suspension setup and all-wheel-drive drivetrain that is offered on the higher variants of the diesel automatic version of the XUV 7XO. 

XUV 7XO wins! 

Price And Positioning: Premium Vs Value

Mahindra has launched the new XUV 7XO at an introductory price of Rs. 13.66 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base petrol manual variant. The top-of-the-line diesel automatic variant, along with an AWD drivetrain, costs Rs. 24.92 lakh (ex-showroom), and is the most expensive trim you can purchase. However, these prices are valid only for the first 40,000 bookings. 

The prices for the Tata Safari, however, start slightly lower at Rs. 13.29 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base petrol manual variant. The most expensive variant is the Stealth diesel automatic variant, which costs a whopping Rs. 25.95 lakh (ex-showroom). 

The Tata Safari does start at a lower price, but it is ultimately the Mahindra XUV 7XO which proves to be more value for money. Even the base and mid-spec variants of the XUV 7XO are decently equipped with features, which give justice to its price. For the top-end variant, the XUV 7XO has the advantage of an AWD drivetrain over the FWD drivetrain on the Safari. 

ZigSays… 

Both cars have been in the market for a long time now and have a loyal fan following among Indian families. The XUV 7XO, formally known as the XUV700, has received its first facelift and with it a complete new identity to once again assert dominance. The Tata Safari, on the other hand, has always been a popular choice because of its well-rounded package, and now, with a new turbo petrol engine, Tata aims to target a wider range of buyers. Both cars cater to a similar audience but have their own differences, and ultimately, it is the XUV 7XO that comes out to be the stronger of the two in our opinion. 

Buyers still have two very strong options to choose from, and the final choice will, however, come down to whether you prefer a tried-and-tested versatility or a bold identity with a new engine that breaks the mould. 

Which one of these two SUVs do you like more? Let us know in the comments below!