Tata Safari EV spied for the first time — Tata's first 7-seater electric SUV is on the way

Recently, the Tata Safari EV has been caught testing on Indian roads for the very first time, and while the heavily camouflaged test mule does not reveal everything, it does give away quite a few important clues. With a festive season launch reportedly in the works, this is the first real look at what is coming.

What the spy shots reveal about the upcoming Tata Safari EV

The Safari EV test mule retains the overall shape of the current Safari, with familiar design elements such as the squared wheel arches, roof rails, roof-mounted spoiler, and gently sloping roofline clearly visible despite the camouflage. At the rear, the wraparound taillamps and raked windshield also appear unchanged. However, details such as the bumpers, alloy wheels, and badging remain concealed.

Two key differences stand out. The absence of a tailpipe confirms that this is an electric vehicle, while the rear suspension appears to use a multi-link independent setup similar to the Harrier EV. This would be a notable upgrade over the twist-beam rear suspension used in the standard Safari. The test vehicle was also seen with side steps, a feature not offered on the current ICE-powered Safari. It remains unclear whether this will be available across the range or reserved for select variants.

Tata Safari EV Platform and expected powertrain

The Safari EV is expected to ride on the Acti.ev+ platform, the same architecture underpinning the Harrier EV. Since it is essentially an ICE-to-EV conversion, significant dimensional changes are unlikely. The ICE Safari measures 4,668 mm in length, 1,922 mm in width, and 1,795 mm in height, with a 2,741 mm wheelbase, and the EV version is expected to stay close to these numbers.

On the powertrain side, the Safari EV is widely expected to carry over the same battery options from the Harrier EV, meaning a 65 kWh and a 75 kWh pack. The Harrier EV in its RWD form produces 238 hp and 315 Nm, while the dual-motor AWD version bumps output to a combined figure of around 354 hp and 504 Nm. The Safari EV will likely get the same setup, though its heavier and larger body may result in a slightly shorter claimed range. For reference, the Harrier EV is rated at up to 628 km on the 75 kWh RWD variant.

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Tata Safari EV features expected inside

On the interior and technology front, the upcoming Safari EV is expected to draw heavily from the Harrier EV playbook. Tata's TiDAL (Tata Intelligent Digital Architecture Layer) software architecture is expected to be at its core, enabling over-the-air (OTA) software updates, a 540-degree surround-view camera, auto park assist, summon mode, low-speed cruise control, and UPI-based in-car payments. 

The iRA connected car suite is also expected to be part of the package, along with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging capabilities. The cabin theme is likely to differ from the ICE model, as is common with other Tata EVs.

Tata Safari EV rival, positioning, and expected price

The Tata Safari EV will be the brand's first three-row electric SUV and is set to take on the Mahindra XEV 9S directly. The XEV 9S has already established itself as a strong seller in Mahindra's electric lineup, and the Safari EV is expected to challenge it with a familiar nameplate, solid range options, and Tata's growing EV credibility. Pricing is expected to start in the Rs 22.5 lakh range, which would position it competitively above the Harrier EV while undercutting some of the more premium 7-seater EV options in the segment.

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