Here’s Your First Look At What The Facelifted Safari Will Look Like

• Facelifted Safari spotted testing for the first time. 
• Will get a redesigned grille, updated triangular headlamps, new wheels and bumpers.
• SUV will get updated features such as 10.25-inch infotainment, updated digital driver’s display and ADAS.
• Should get Tata’s new 1.5-litre T-GDI engine alongside the existing 2-litre diesel engine.
• Launch expected in 2024 as Tata is gearing to launch 2023 Safari with new features.

Earlier, we had already reported that the all-electric Tata Harrier SUV displayed at Auto Expo 2023 previews the facelift for the ICE-powered model. Now, the Tata Safari, which is basically the three-row derivative of the Harrier, has been snapped testing with updated design elements. That said, don’t confuse this facelift with the soon to be updated 2023 Safari, which will get updated features and a Dark Red Edition but not the new design touches. 

Most of the design changes in the facelifted Safari are focussed on the front-end. It gets a revised grille with slats for cooling (the Harrier EV had a closed grille) and triangular cutouts (dummy in this test mule) for the updated LED headlamps. In profile, the Safari test mule is rolling on redesigned wheels, while the mildly revised tail lamps and bumpers top the cake. 

The interior of the facelifted Tata Safari is yet to be snapped, but if the Harrier EV is anything to go by, design changes would be limited. That said, all the updates in the soon-to-be-launched 2023 model, such as the updated 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, new seven-inch digital driver’s display and ADAS, would obviously be retained and you can expect minor feature additions over these as well. 

Underneath the hood, the 2023 Safari should retain its 170PS 2-litre diesel engine, paired with  six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Apart from that, Tata earlier confirmed that the Harrier and Safari will get the carmaker’s 170PS 1.5-litre T-GDI turbo-petrol engine, which should be introduced with this update. Tata has already said this engine will get a DCT, which should be offered alongside a manual option. And like the Harrier EV, Tata could introduce an electric version with the facelifted Safari featuring dual motors and all-wheel drive. 

Considering that Tata is gearing up to release the updated 2023 Safari with new features first, we suspect this facelifted SUV to be introduced later in 2024. It will command a premium over the current model priced at Rs 15.64 lakh (ex-showroom) and renew its rivalry with the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus and the Mahindra XUV700.

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