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Skoda has been promising its new SUV for India for a while, and finally, today, we got to see the production version. Skoda Kushaq, which borrows its name from Sanskrit, meaning “king,” is a compact SUV.

The car will be launched next month along with bookings and the reveal of final pricing details. In this article, you’ll get the first and exclusive look at this SUV and also learn about its features.

How does Skoda Kushaq look?

The Kushaq bears similarities to the concept we first saw at the 2020 Auto Expo. The design is pure Skoda and similar to the Karoq or the bigger Kodiaq. The Kushaq is based on the MQB A0 IN platform and has been designed in India.

The dimensions are similar to a Creta with a length of 4,221mm and width of 1760mm while it has a fairly good ground clearance of 188mm. Top-end versions get 17-inch alloys while 16 would be standard.

The grille is big and expressive with a thick chrome line while the headlamp is divided into two parts with DRLs and LEDs. Top-end trims have a silver finish skid plate, while there are roof-rails and cladding all around for the typical SUV feel. The rear also gets LED lamps with a Karoq-like look. It is a Skoda and looks nice with some aggression. You can choose from a total of 5 colour options.

What about the interiors?

The interiors seem nice in quality at first glance, with a free-standing 10-inch touchscreen display and a clear but well-made layout. The quality is good and you get a two-spoke steering and a neat bank of buttons below the touch screen.

The AC vents have a nice soft-touch control while there are two cup holders along with two places to keep your smartphones. The Kushaq also gets the virtual cockpit in the top-end with a 10-inch screen which can be modified as well.

The features list is perhaps the most impressive we have seen on a Skoda since you get connected tech, glass sunroof, ventilated leather front seats, Type C USB ports, wireless charging, wireless smartlink with smart phone connectity, Wi-Fi hotspot, cruise control, six airbags, rear ac vents, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera plus more. The Kushaq also comes with six speakers as standard.

Is Kushaq spacious?

The Kushaq comes with a wheelbase of 2651mm while it has a 385l boot. Kushaq is a 5-seater and the rear seats are decent but not class-leading. However, the thigh support plus width is quite good.

What are engine options?

Skoda is going the petrol way for the Kushaq with two turbocharged engines on offer. The 115hp 1.0 TSI is the range starter and it would be standard with a 6-speed manual while it would also get a brand new 6-speed automatic torque converter too.

The other engine is a 150PS and 250Nm 1.5 TSI, which would come with a 7-speed DSG. We expect drive modes for the DSG while the DSG will also get steering paddles.

What would be the price of Skoda Kushaq?

We expect the Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual to start at about Rs 10 lakh while the top-end would be Rs 16-17 lakh. Kushaq has a high local content level that would help Skoda price it well and give it competitive service packages. The Kushaq seems impressive at first glance and is sure to be a best seller for Skoda. Will Hyundai Creta finally face some competition other than Seltos?? We think so!

The post Skoda Kushaq First Review: See Images, Interior, Features appeared first on Fossbytes .

Apple Watch has taken the tech world by storm. It has dwarfed not only the other smartwatches, but it’s also challenging the likes of Rolex in terms of popularity.

As part of its annual refresh, Apple previously launched the Apple Watch Series 6 and the new Apple Watch SE , bringing the budget ‘SE’ moniker to its smartwatch lineup. It’s similar to what we have seen for iPhones with the release of the iPhone SE.

As the title suggests, I recently got an Apple Watch SE as a gift, and I have been using it for a couple of weeks now. My experience with wristwatches has been limited, and Apple Watch SE is the first Apple-branded smartwatch that I own.

I have played around with a couple of Android smartwatches but never gave serious thought to wearing one all the time. This is mostly because I haven’t been a watch person for most of my life.

By the time I started living my life as an adult and understood the importance of time, smartphones were already a thing. I was not too fond of the idea of wearing an extra piece of hardware when a tiny brick in my pocket could show me the time.

Now, let’s talk about my Apple Watch SE experience, or I’d say Apple Watch experience in general. That’s because the WatchOS that powers them keeps the experience similar across the lineup.

Here, I’d like to say that if you buy an expensive thing, such as an Apple product, you have to find reasons to like it because you burned your pocket for it. I guess that barrier is not present in this case.

Apple Watch doesn’t change your life but makes it easier

Now, I could write an Apple Watch SE review and tell you about the battery life, performance, and all the Apple Watch features you can get by paying a couple of hundred bucks. But I guess there are already tons of them floating on the internet and impacting people’s decision to buy an Apple Watch.

Still naming a few, it can track my daily workout, track my sleep, remind me to wash hands, and analyze my heart rate in real-time, for starters. Visiting the Health app on the iPhone made me realize what humongous amount of data Apple collects using a tiny device sitting on my wrist. I wonder if I’d actually need all of it.

Fall Detection is another useful feature that Apple has added. I hope I don’t end up activating it someday. Overall, Apple Watch is part of the Apple ecosystem, that can control your phone, AirPods, and even the smart devices connected to your home network.

Thanks to Apple’s Continuity features, I can take phone calls on my Apple Watch, and silencing a call on the phone automatically mutes the Watch audio. That’s the level of harmony we are talking about between the two devices.

However, in all the Apple keynotes, you’ll see the company focusing on health-related tech it adds. For example, the accuracy of the Series 6 blood oxygen sensor has been questioned. You can easily spend a few dollars and buy a blood oxygen sensor. But Apple promotes it like it’s the only thing you’ll ever need in the Apple Watch. Maybe, it’s an attempt to take advantage of the pandemic.

Anyway, what I realized is that I never felt the need to use the Apple Watch. But now that I have it, it has improved my daily life in many ways. It complements the iPhone in a way that saves me a lot of time and effort.

Here, a famous quote from the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs makes a lot of sense:

“It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

Above all, I now use my phone fewer times in a day which is a step towards becoming less of a smartphone addict.

Apple Watch: An extension to my iPhone

It’s a known thing that Apple Watch doesn’t work without an iPhone. In other words, if you are an Android user, you’ll have to spend at least $600 if you want to own an Apple-branded smartwatch.

Staying within the budget, you can go for the 2020 iPhone SE + Apple Watch SE combination that’ll set you back by $678. You can buy an older iPhone to further cut the cost.

Now, even though Apple might be trying to market Apple Watch as a standalone device, for instance, by adding cellular support and a dedicated App Store, it’s still an extension of the iPhone.

What happened during my usage is I was unlocking my iPhone less because I could easily check everything from time, notifications, compass, listen to music, etc., just by lifting my wrist. But at the end of the day, the Apple Watch still needs the iPhone to sync data that could be utilized further.

Not to mention, you can’t set up an Apple Watch without an iPhone (not even an iPad or Mac). However, the latest WatchOS 7 update allows the Watch to be set up on a family member’s iPhone if needed. But it does make sense as iPad and Mac aren’t as portable as the iPhone and apps like WhatsApp don’t work natively. The iPhone is still Apple’s prime product which explains the design choice.

Also, an Apple Watch can connect to WiFi or cellular when the iPhone is not nearby. But you won’t get notifications from third-party apps if the iPhone sitting far away isn’t connected to the internet.

Of course, there are technical reasons to blame apart from Apple Watch’s dependence on iPhone and I am not saying it’s a deal-breaker. What I am saying is it might take a while before the Watch can be a truly autonomous product.

Apart from that, my overall experience has been good and buttery smooth.

What do you think about the Apple Watch? Let me know in the comments.

The post Someone Gifted Me An Apple Watch, Here’s What I Have To Say appeared first on Fossbytes .

Are electric cars the future? That might be debatable for some, but the car-makers are going full steam ahead with their EV plans. While, at the moment, a country like India is not yet ready for electric vehicles in regard to the infrastructure, electricity supply, and other issues, the number of electric cars available is also very less.

You have Tata Nexon EV , Hyundai Kona , and MG ZS — the next offering is the Rs 1 crore EQC from Mercedes. Yes, that is a large gap and Volvo wants a big piece from that un-occupied space. With no compact luxury SUV that is electric on the horizon, the XC40 Recharge would have no competition as of this year or even in the foreseeable future. But what is the XC40 Recharge all about? Let’s take an exclusive look at the car before its October launch.

How does Volvo XC40 Recharge look?

It is an XC40 all right but a closer look will reveal that it is no standard petrol XC40. The front grille is changed and there is no grille since there is no engine, so you get a painted body cover.

Apart from that, the famous Thor’s Hammer Volvo style lights and compact plus boxy appearance make the XC40 look more like an SUV when compared to rivals. We also see different wheels and we can expect more color options.

The rear styling is the same which means you can see the large typical Volvo style tail-lamps that stand out. You can spot a small badge that signifies it as the EV version. Else, it is the standard XC40.

What about the interiors?

Open the solid feeling doors and it is the regular XC40. You have the same large portrait touch screen and an all-black cabin. There is stitching and the quality is very plush. Equipment levels would also be expected to be similar in order to keep the costs down but the XC40 Recharge is expected to get a few extra features.

The instrument cluster is different for the EV version, while it is the first Volvo to get a brand-new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. The infotainment system also has the Volvo ‘On Call’ connected tech feature, using which you can check the range or your driving habits plus more features.

Tell me about the XC40 Recharge power and range…

Yes, these are the main factors that you should keep in mind when buying an EV. The XC40 Recharge, with two electric motors, gets a 78kWh lithium-ion battery which is located in the floor. This is an electric all-wheel-drive power-train that has a total power output of 408hp and 660Nm. The power figures are impressive too as it is capable of reaching 100kmph in just 4.9 seconds. That is proper fast! There are also drive modes and the top-speed is limited to 180 km/h only.

Moving on to Volvo XC40 Recharge range: More than a conventional car, the range of an EV is more important as charging stations are far too few. In the XC40 Recharge, the range figure is 418km which is one of the best in India. This figure is not an ARAI figure but on the basis of the WLTP and EPA driving cycle. However, one should expect a rear-world range comfortably near 350km or at least above 300km. This means it will take care of your daily commute for a few days without the need for any charging!

The impressive range would be the main confidence booster in buying an EV. With XC40 Recharge, you can visit Jaipur once and charge it while coming back. While it might seem tight for many to attempt that, as a city-based commuter, the XC40 Recharge could be the ideal luxury SUV. It will also get regenerative modes to adjust the regenerative braking and different modes.

What is the charging time?

The XC40 Recharge supports fast charging and the battery charges up to 80 percent of its capacity in 40 minutes. The XC40 Recharge will also get charging equipment bundled with it.

Volvo has not yet disclosed details regarding the charging infrastructure but we expect their dealers to have charging facility and they can tie-up regarding installing chargers at popular places. There are currently 25 dealerships in cities including in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi NCR – South Delhi, West Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Raipur, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, West Mumbai, South Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, Surat, Vishakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

What would be the price of XC40 Recharge?

That is another crucial factor in determining how well the XC40 Recharge can do in India. The standard petrol XC40 starts at Rs 40 lakh while the electric version should be Rs 10 lakhs more. With a cost of Rs 50 lakh or slightly more, the XC40 Recharge should find takers since it is the only full electric SUV at this price point.

The XC40 Recharge has a good enough range and is as spacious as the standard XC40 which means the leap to electric will not compromise practicality. Volvo wants to double its volume in India in the next 2 years while it wants the majority of its sales to be electric by 2025. With the XC40 Recharge, we think it has a good chance.

The post Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric SUV: Exclusive First Review, Specs, Images appeared first on Fossbytes .

The A-Class is going to be the most affordable Mercedes ever but the company hopes that you will want to buy it for reasons other than that. The A-Class packs in technology and luxury in equal quantities, as you will discover in our detailed review below.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Review

What is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine all about?

India is a changing country with a more affluent younger population that has the desire to own luxury products. That makes the segment of entry-level luxury cars quite appealing in terms of market share and also for buyers who can realistically dream about getting that fancy car earlier in their lives. The A-Class is for that kind of buyer.

It’s interesting to note that Mercedes launched the A-Class brand as a hatchback some years back, but this new car is a proper luxury sedan. The reason is clear and simple: the Indian market is not that matured to accept a 40 lakh hatchback, but a sporty and stylish sedan fits the bill better. The A-Class limousine would also be the cheapest Mercedes sedan below the C-Class while also being the most affordable Mercedes ever.

How does it look?

The A-Class Limousine is a proper Mercedes but it is not the kind you normally see as this one has a clear youthful persona. The styling is very much like the old CLA or the bigger CLS where it looks more like a four-door coupe rather than a typical sedan like the E-Class. It is more stylish and features very much an attractive design.

We particularly like the long and shapely hood while the roof slopes down. Further on, the headlamps and the grille being decorated with small diamond-like bits is a premium touch. The A-Class is smaller than the C-Class but has balanced proportions with a length of 4549mm along with a width of 1796mm. Indian spec cars also have their ground clearance increased plus you have 17-inch alloy wheels on offer. In total you have six colors on offer.

What about the interiors?

Step inside and you are surprised by the amount of room on offer or the air lay-out. You do not expect such a compact car on the outside to have a cabin like this. Also, the A-Class Limousine looks and feels expensive just like any Mercedes would or should. The steering wheel is a sporty three-spoke unit but what grabs your attention the most is a couple of displays being joined together. Both are 10.25-inches in size and we are glad that Mercedes is giving a proper digital display and not cutting costs.

You also get a nice slab of wood finish that continues across the entire cabin. Look closer and the quality is the same as you would get in an E-Class. The steering controls have a knurled look for the volume scroller while the air vents actually look like jet turbines! The buttons below are also of high quality. If you look elsewhere, there is also a touchpad to control various functions of the car.

Is the A-Class Limousine feature-rich?

Yes. Also, entry-level or not, the A-Class Limousine is still going to be a Rs 40 lakh car, so obviously features are what you expect and get. You get the basic 10.25-inch screens including a digital instrument cluster plus cruise control, paddle shifters, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charger, touchpad with haptic feedback, connected technology, and more.

What about the technology on offer?

Let’s start with the two screens as first of all. The display along with graphics is top class while the quality is also brilliant along with the layout. The digital instrument also has various displays and you can customize to your liking. Nothing has been pared down for this car.

The A-Class Limousine also has the latest Mercedes infotainment system called the MBUX. You can access it via voice commands with the phrase “Hey Mercedes”. The connected car technology has 43 features including live traffic, remote functions and even Alexa plus Google home integration. Hence you can pair your car with home assistance like Alexa or Google home which means you can control various functions of the car from your home!

Other functions include a “what3words” navigation function and technology like autonomous brake assist.

Is A-Class Limousine spacious?

The A-Class Limousine has a wheelbase of 2729mm and also has headroom of 944mm. Hence it is a lot more spacious than the previous CLA and also other luxury cars. While the transmission tunnel limits it to being a four-seater, the A-Class limousine has enough comfort and headroom for even tall passengers.

How is it to drive?

The A-Class Limousine comes with both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol is a 1.4-liter turbo unit which makes 163hp and 250nm. It has a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The petrol engine is decent to drive but it is not very fast and you have to work the engine to extract the performance. That said, for a comfortable, luxurious cruiser, the A-Class petrol fits the bill and the gearbox is also quite responsive in the city.

If you want performance, then diesel is a better bet. It is a 2.0 turbo unit that makes 150hp and 320Nm while the gearbox is a new 8-speed auto. The diesel is more effortless and offers better performance along with snappier shifts. It is also more efficient over petrol engline at 21.3 kmpl with the petrol giving 17.5kmpl.

For India, the A-Class Limousine has its suspension tweaked and is also raised from the ground a bit more than the international spec, which means speed-breakers are a no worry. The ride quality is also nice and the suspension has the typical soft Mercedes feel which owners would like. The only issue we had — there is some road noise that filters in.

Should I buy A-Class Limousine?

There is plenty on offer for you to consider the A-Class Limousine, especially with its styling, features and technology, plus it has the proper Mercedes feeling of luxury. It does not feel like it is some sedan that has been slapped on a Mercedes badge. At Rs 40 lakh starting, the A-Class Limousine could be the perfect luxury car for the successful young Indian.

The post Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine India Review: Mileage, Features, Pictures appeared first on Fossbytes .

The internet is rife with VPNs and therefore it becomes important to choose one wisely. If you are in the market for a VPN service provider, chances are you might get befuddled by the sheer number of options available out there. While you can choose from the best VPNs that are rated highly amongst frequent users, there are other lesser-known options as well that could help you hide your digital footprint.

One such VPN is Hola VPN, which has received notorious reviews for its free version, and rightly so. If you are considering Hola VPN, we have all covered all the points that you must consider before investing your money in it. We used the VPN thoroughly, conducted speed tests, read through privacy policies and also tried unblocking geo-restricted websites.

Here is our comprehensive review of Hola VPN.

Let’s start with the basics.

Hola VPN: How Does It Work?

Before we jump into details, you must know that Hola VPN offers two different versions – a free one and a paid one (Hola Premium). Hola VPN is an Israel-based VPN service that offers its free services based on peer-to-peer technology (which is not a VPN per se) and a paid version which is VPN in the truest sense.

Unlike other best free VPNs that limit the bandwidth or number of servers, the Hola VPN free works on peer-to-peer technology and can be considered a proxy service at max. It means you share your bandwidth with others while using the Hola VPN free version. There are chances that other free users are using your IP address to browse the internet “anonymously”.

Hola advertises its browser extensions as “Hola Free VPN Proxy Unblocker – Best VPN” that uses split tunneling technology to unblock geo-restricted websites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and more.

Hola VPN Premium, on the other hand, is a proper VPN service albeit their website does not mention the encryption protocols used by the VPN service. There are around 1,000 VPN servers around the world (1,500 for Hola Ultra Advanced VPN users).

Hola VPN Speed & Performance

As is the case with all the VPNs, speed throttling is an unavoidable issue. Surprisingly, Hola VPN premium impressed me in this regard. In the speed tests I conducted over a couple of US and Europe based servers, the speed throttling was almost negligible and the ping rate was between the range of 40 and 100.

Therefore, I have no complaint regarding speed from Hola VPN Premium. Also, the user interface of the Hola VPN macOS app is friendly and you can connect to the VPN with just one click.

Hola VPN: Unlock Netflix, Amazon, Prime & More

If your primary aim behind buying a VPN (Psst! here’s a nifty VPN buying guide ) is to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime catalogs of different countries and access websites that are blocked in your region, Hola VPN’s browser extensions are what you should go for.

Notably, Hola VPN browser extensions operate on standard VPN protocols and not peer-to-peer technology.

I successfully unblocked the US catalog of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video US. For free users, it is free to stream Netflix and other video streaming sites for 1 hour. However, you should understand that Hola VPN’s free version is more of a proxy owing to its peer-to-peer architecture therefore unblocking blocked websites is naturally the task it is good at.

Torrenting: A Strict No Go

However, if you’re buying Hola VPN for Torrenting, you’re simply wasting your money as Hola’s official website clearly mentions that they do not support torrenting. It says, “ The use of Bittorrent on our network is not allowed, and we are blocking Bittorrent traffic “.

Security & Logging Policy

This is where things start getting murkier. Hola VPN free can be called a cybersecurity’s antagonist. Besides routing your internet traffic through other peers instead of safe servers, Hola VPN also logs plenty of details from you, thus defeating the entire purpose of using a VPN.

If you’re using the free version of Hola VPN, it’s keeping a log of the following information from you:

• Log data may include the following information – browser type, web pages you visit, time spent on those pages, access times, and dates.
• Your personal information including your name, email address, and IP address. If you opt to sign up using a third-party account for instance your Google account, Hola will also keep a log of the information stored by Google.
• If you’re signing up with a social media account, Hola is accessing your basic information including full name, home address, email address, birth date, profile picture, friends list, personal description, as well as any other information you made publicly available on such account.

Hola says the reason why it logs the personal information of users is that it can report any malicious activity to authorities. The website says, “Th ese measures are probably what make Hola the least attractive VPN for people with malicious or illegal intent to use. They much prefer the various other VPNs that promise not to keep logs “.

Hola Premium, however, has a strict no-log policy. If you are a premium customer, Hola will not store logs of your activity, including no logging of browsing history, traffic destination, data content, or DNS queries.

Interestingly, I had to manually turn on the “No logs” option in my Premium account as it was disabled by default.

To sum up, Hola VPN is intrusive and lacks a proper security mechanism to keep the privacy of its users intact. In fact, the free version mooches the IP address and bandwidth of users without informing them properly. Therefore, if you’re buying a VPN for cybersecurity, my best advice would be to steer clear of Hola VPN free. The paid version has all the features, you’d want in a good VPN therefore, your first choice should be Hola VPN Premium.

Hola VPN Pricing

Hola VPN offers a free service that works on peer-to-peer technology; it’s a proxy service and not a VPN. if you’re opting for the more-secure premium version, here are the prices of Hola VPN:

• $2.99/mo for 3-year plan
• $7.69/mo for the yearly plan
• $14.99/mo for the monthly plan

Importantly, Hola does not support Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as a payment method.

Hola VPN Conclusion

Everything about Hola except its privacy policies and data logging mechanism is great and I understand how silly it sounds especially when we are talking about a VPN service. If you want a website unblocker, Hola VPN is a great option to go.

For privacy enthusiasts, it could be a nightmare owing to the fact that you’re sharing your bandwidth and IP address with another free user who might be a hacker.

Hola Premium does sound reliable and could be a strong contender for one of the best VPNs out there once Hola fixes the impending issues.

The post Hola VPN Review: Why You Should Ignore The Free Version & Go For Hola VPN Premium appeared first on Fossbytes .

The new Tata Safari is basically a longer Harrier and is the three-row version that was first displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo. In the Tata range, Safari is the flagship SUV being sold over the Harrier at a premium; thus, for the extra money, you get an updated design plus a longer car along with a more luxurious interior plus the three-row seating, of course.

New Tata Safari 2021 Review

How does it look?

The new Safari looks brilliant and has lots of road presence when seen for the first time and also looks longer than the Harrier, which it is. The extra length of nearly 65mm over the Harrier gives it a more elegant design, which adds to the looks, no doubt. Compared to the Harrier, the Safari has been designed to look more premium; hence you get the grille, which is finished in chrome and the same goes for the headlamp surrounds below. However, the side and the rear styling have more differences, and it is where you can see the new look. Unlike the Harrier, the roofline has been increased, and there is now a rear quarter glass being added for the third row.

Also, notice the nice way the roof-rails look somewhat like the previous Safari, and the “Safari” badge looks well done. Safari also wears bigger shoes as it gets 18-inch alloy wheels. There is not much choice in terms of colors as you get only three options: Royale Blue, Orcus White, and Daytona Grey.

What about the interiors?

The interiors impressed us more than the exteriors; here, the differentiation is more evident, and the execution of the design is amongst the best we have seen from any Tata Motors car. It feels tough — from the solid doors to the big steering wheel, along with chunky switchgear. It feels big and sturdy — something which owners will like.

The old Safari was outdated, and here we are glad Tata Motors did not see the past. The new Safari cabin looks really premium with a white interior and seats and the classy ashwood used, plus there is leather used on the door pads. The dashboard has soft-touch materials and also has an anti-reflective top-layer that looks/feels classy. This is one of the top-tier cabins for the price.

Some crucial changes make life easier when compared to living with a Harrier. There is an electronic handbrake for one, and the USP port location is also easier to access. The steering wheel has buttons that are easy to use, while the part digital instrument cluster is also nice, even if not quite as tech-focused as its rivals with a full digital cluster.

The touch screen at 8.8-inches could have been bigger too as all other SUVs in this segment have vastly bigger screens. We also think the quality of the touch display along with rearview camera graphics could be better.

That said, the Safari does quite well in the overall features count with equipment like a panoramic sunroof (one of the largest that we have seen in this class), 6-way Powered Driver Seat with adjustable lumbar support, captain seats, auto headlamps, drive modes, electronic parking brake, 9-speaker JBL audio system, Android Auto and Apple Car Play Connectivity plus connected tech, 6 airbags and more. However, wireless charging is missing from the features list.

Is Safari 2021 spacious?

Absolutely! Since one of the biggest reasons to buy Safari is the space and comfort on offer. The white color looks inviting, and once inside, the middle row is the best place to be with the Captain Seating layout. The standard is a 7-seater bench, but the 6-seater Captain’s Seats is the better option. The seats are superb and are very comfortable while having the right cushioning. Legroom and headroom are also fantastic in the second row. There are also special features include a boss mode to create even more space by moving the front seats ahead, while the 2nd row also gets a 60:40 Split along with auto climate control, ambient mood lighting, and plenty of storage space.

The third row is surprisingly good, and access to it is best via the space between the captain’s seats; once in, even tall passengers will not complain. Yes, thigh support is less, but headroom is good and you also get a separate blower control and USB ports.

What’s the technology on offer?

The Safari is the second Tata Motors car to get connected technology and it gets various features like location-based services, vehicle diagnostics, remote features (remote lock/unlock etc.), over-the-air updates, and vehicle security services. It also gets Terrain response modes connected to the ESP along with offroad ABS, traction control, hill-hold, electronic stability control, hill-descent control and more.

How is new Safari to drive?

The Safari gets the same 2.0 turbo diesel present in the Harrier along with the same 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox. It is a monocoque chassis-based SUV (For instance, Fortuner is a ladder-frame) and based on the same Land Rover platform. Controversially, it does not get a 4×4, unlike the last Safari.

While Tata Safari is heavier than Harrier, performance is the same as the diesel engine plus automatic being the best combination rather than manual, requiring more effort. The engine starts with a typical diesel noise but soon settles into a smooth idle. On the go, the automatic gearbox is nice and smooth for city traffic. The steering requires more effort though, since it is a bit heavy but gets better at higher speeds. Speaking of which, the Harrier is pretty responsive and cruises very well.

It gets drive modes, and Sport mode is very quick and does enough for all those highway overtakes. It is also brilliant in its stability. Unlike the previous Safari, the new one is much better and does not have too much body roll. Braking for such a heavy car is decent but could have been more confidence-inspiring. Superb ground clearance and terrain response modes are also enough to offer off-road capability for most situations other than hardcore off-roading.

Should you buy Tata Safari 2021?

Prices for the Safari start at Rs 14.6 lakh while the fully loaded version is Rs 21.4 lakh. That makes it good value on the basis of its design, space and the excellent suspension which makes for a comfortable family SUV. Getting one over the Harrier is a bit of a no-brainer due to the extra space, features and the added road presence. It is also a better packaged product. Over its immediate rivals, the Hector Plus has more features and a petrol engine while the Safari has the looks and the capability.

Overall, if you want a big SUV with comfort, features and the ability to go over any road surface with ease, then you should look at the Tata Safari. It is a lot better than the earlier Safari too, we might add!

The post New Tata Safari Review — Better Than Harrier Or Hector Plus? appeared first on Fossbytes .