Spec comparison: Tata Safari vs Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV700 vs MG Hector

The Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700 have been primary rivals for the past few years. But the XUV700 has always had a big advantage with its few additional high-tech features over the Safari. Now, the 2023 Safari has arrived with some long-awaited features, which have been available in the XUV700 since its launch. On the other hand, the 2023 Harrier also comes with identical changes to the Safari, keeping it up-to-the-minute with its rivals like the recently launched 2023 MG Hector facelift. Interestingly, all four cars in this spec comparison are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Tata Safari vs Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV700 vs MG Hector: ADAS
The 2023 Safari and Harrier get ADAS, which includes autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear collision warning, high beam assist, traffic sign recognition, lane change alert, blind spot detection, and door open alert.

On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV700 and 2023 MG Hector facelift feature Level 2 autonomy. Thus, the 2023 Hector facelift comes with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, intelligent headlamp control, automatic emergency braking with AEB pedestrian, traffic jam assist, lane keeping assist, safe distance warning, and adaptive cruise control. Whereas, the XUV700 gets adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, autonomous emergency braking, and driver drowsiness detection.

All four SUVs come with similar ADAS features. However, the 2023 Safari and Harrier miss out on adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The 2023 Tata Safari and Harrier, along with the 2023 MG Hector facelift, do not get driver drowsiness detection like the Mahindra XUV700.

Tata Safari vs Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV700 vs MG Hector: Features
The 2023 Tata Safari and Harrier are outfitted with a 360-degree camera, a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a seven-inch fully digital TFT instrument cluster, and a six-way power adjustable driver seat with a welcome function and a three-level memory setting. Apart from the new features, both SUVs continue to get HID projector headlamps, leatherette upholstery, ventilated front seats (second row in the Safari six-seat), a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, cooled storage box, auto headlamps and wipers, the powered co-passenger seat adjusts (Safari-only), terrain response modes (normal, rough, wet), three drive modes (eco, city, and sport), nine-speaker JBL sound system, Type-A and Type-C charging sockets, six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, hill hold and descent control function, driver doze off alert, wireless charging pad, iRA connected car features, over 200 voice commands in six Indian languages, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and electronic parking brake with auto hold, among others.

The XUV700 also comes with more or less the same features as the Safari and Harrier. In addition to a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and other similar features between the Safari and XUV700, the XUV700 feature list also includes a 12-speaker Sony sound system, electric flush door handles, dual-zone temperature control, knee airbag (seven airbags in total), LED headlamps with auto-booster function, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10-25-inch driver display, built-in Alexa voice assistant, and AdrenoX, among others.

Furthermore, In addition to the same features as the XUV700 and Safari/Harrier, the MG Hector features a six-way power adjustable driver seat and four-way power-adjustable co-passenger seat, powered boot opening, eight colours ambient lighting, 14-inch tablet-like touchscreen infotainment system, front parking sensors, i-Smart with over 75 connected car features, LED projector headlamps, 50 Hinglish voice commands, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, Bluetooth-enabled digital key, LED fog lamps, and connected car features.

The XUV700 misses out on ventilated seats, a power tailgate and an auto-dimming IRVM. However, the flush door handles and dual-zone temperature control are exclusive to the SUV, while the Hector facelift comes with Bluetooth digital key. On the other hand, the Safari and Harrier also do not come with a powered tailgate but Tata has equipped the Safari with ventilated second-row seats. Moreover, Tata offers over 200 voice commands in six Indian languages, whereas MG provides 50 Hinglish voice commands.

2023 Tata Safari and Harrier: Powertrain
The 2023 Safari and Harrier are powered by the RDE (BS6 phase-2) compliant 2.0-litre, inline-four, turbocharged diesel engine delivering 170PS/350Nm. This motor comes mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

The XUV700 gets a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor generating 200PS/380Nm. But Mahindra offers a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel unit with two different tunes - 155PS/360Nm and 185PS/420Nm (450Nm with AT). Transmission options include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.

Powering the 2023 MG Hector facelift is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine making 143PS/250Nm and a 2.0-litre inline-four turbocharged diesel motor that produces 170PS/350Nm. The former comes paired with a six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, while the latter is only mated to a six-speed manual.

The Safari and Harrier do not offer a petrol engine option. On the other hand, the Hector facelift misses out on the diesel automatic version. Mahindra provides a choice of three engine options depending on the variant. Plus, they are considerably more powerful than their rivals.