Tata Motors’ flagship three-row electric SUV has finally broken cover. Spy shots and videos of the Safari EV testing on Indian roads have emerged, confirming that the brand’s biggest electric offering is progressing toward a festive-season 2026 launch. The camouflaged mule retains the familiar Safari silhouette — stepped roofline, roof rails, connected taillights and overall proportions — but key details give it away as an EV. There’s no exhaust outlet, it rides on a Harrier EV-style independent multi-link rear suspension, and side steps (absent on the ICE Safari) are visible. These cues, along with reports of Acti.ev+ underpinnings, point to a straightforward yet well-executed ICE-to-EV conversion that prioritises packaging, range and family practicality.
Expect the Safari EV to borrow heavily from the technology stack debuted and refined on the Sierra EV and Harrier EV. All three sit on Tata’s Acti.ev+ architecture and TiDAL (Tata Intelligent Digital Architecture Layer) software foundation, which enables software-defined features, over-the-air updates and a high degree of connectivity.
Likely carryovers include:
- Dual battery options (around 65 kWh and 75 kWh LFP packs) with single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD configurations. Power and torque should mirror the Harrier EV’s roughly 238 bhp/315 Nm RWD and higher dual-motor outputs.
- Strong claimed range — slightly lower than the lighter Harrier EV’s figures due to the Safari’s greater size and weight, but still competitive in the 550–600 km ARAI ballpark on the larger pack.
- Advanced driver assistance, summon mode, auto-park assist, 360/540-degree camera views, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging.
- A tech-rich cabin treatment drawing from the Sierra EV’s Horizon View multi-screen setup, premium audio (JBL with Dolby Atmos), extensive iRA.ev connected features (remote functions, pre-conditioning, app integration), 5G connectivity and gaming/entertainment options.
Exterior EV-specific changes are expected to include a closed-off grille, revised aero bumpers, optimised alloy wheels and distinct badging, while the three-row practicality and road presence that define the Safari name remain intact.
Positioned as Tata’s range-topping electric SUV (above the Harrier EV), the Safari EV is expected to be priced in the ₹22.5–30 lakh (ex-showroom) range. That places it squarely against the growing field of three-row electric options:
- Mahindra XEV 9S — the most direct rival, offering strong range (up to ~679 km claimed), RWD performance and SUV styling.
- BYD eMAX 7 — premium MPV packaging with solid range and feature content.
- VinFast VF7 / VF MPV 7 — spacious alternatives bringing competitive range and aggressive ownership packages.
- Maruti’s upcoming EV MPV — the volume-player wildcard that could prioritise affordability and practicality.
Other three-row EVs such as the Kia Carens Clavis EV also sit in the broader consideration set. The Safari EV’s combination of established brand trust, three-row SUV form factor, long-range capability and the full Sierra/Harrier tech suite positions it as a strong contender for family buyers seeking presence without sacrificing electric practicality.
Production is expected to ramp up ahead of a Diwali 2026 window launch. While official specifications, pricing and exact feature lists are still under wraps, the spy images and platform sharing leave little doubt: Tata is serious about owning the premium electric family-SUV space. The Safari EV looks set to arrive heavy on tech, ready for the big leagues, and carrying the Sierra EV’s digital and powertrain DNA into a larger, more versatile package.
