After the entry of 2021 Tata Safari , the 7 seater SUV Segment became more popular in India automobile industry. This segment includes MG Hector Plus , Mahindra XUV 500 , Upcoming Hyundai ALCAZAR and Upcoming Jeep Compass 7-seater. But Today we are going to compare the base variants of two hot selling cars in this segment. ie. The 2021 MG Hector Plus and Tata Safari.
The base variant of hector plus is knows as Hector Plus Style which is only available in 7 seater configuration.
Safari XE is the official name of the base variant of 2021 Tata Safari and it is also available in 7 seater Configuration.
Looks and Dimensions
Although looks are subjective but if you look at the exterior of both the variants , you will observe that the Safari XE variant looks ordinary yet rugged as compared to the Hector Plus Style Variant. Hector Plus style , on the other side , doesn’t even look like a base variant of a car because it is loaded with features on the exterior which makes it look like a premium car.
Dimensions
| SAFARI | HECTOR PLUS | |
| Length | 4661mm | 4720mm |
| Width | 1894mm | 1835mm |
| Height | 1786mm | 1760mm |
| Wheelbase | 2741mm | 2750mm |
From the above table , it is clear that the MG Hector Plus is longer with a longer wheelbase while the Tata Safari is taller and wider. Due to the more height and width , the Tata safari looks bigger and Muscular as compared to Hector Plus.
Engine
The MG Hector Plus is available in 3 engine options – 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine , 1.5 turbo-petrol unit can also be had with mild-hybrid system and 2.0-litre diesel engine. Safari , one the other side , is only available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine.
Out of 3 Engine options , The Hector Plus Style variant is available with 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 2.0-litre diesel engine. Since the Tata Safari has only one diesel engine option, we’ll be comparing it with only the diesel option of the MG Hector Plus.
| Tata Safari | MG Hector Plus | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre diesel , | 2.0-litre diesel |
| Power | 168 bhp | 168 bhp |
| Torque | 350Nm | 350Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT/ 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT |
Both the engine are borrowed from Fiat and are exactly same in terms of specifications.
Features Comparison
| Safety | Tata Safari XE | MG Hector Plus Style |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking sensors | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX child seat anchors | No | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes | Yes |
| Hill hold | Yes | Yes |
| Roll over mitigation/ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Front fog lamps | No | Bulb |
| Exterior | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED |
| DRLs | Yes | LED |
| Wheels | 16-inch styled steelies | 17-inch steel + wheel cap |
| Rear washer and wiper | No | No |
| Defogger | Yes | Yes |
| Interior | ||
| Height-adjustable driver’s seat | No | Yes |
| AC | Manual | Manual |
| Rear AC vents (2nd and 3rd row) | Yes | Yes |
| 2nd row recline | Yes | Yes |
| 60:40 split fold (2nd row) | Yes | Yes |
| 3rd row split fold | Yes | Yes |
| Front armrest | Yes | Yes |
| Infotainment | No | No |
| Audio system | No | Yes |
| Speakers | No | 4 |
| Power windows | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt and telescopic | Tilt only |
| 12V Socket & USB charging | Front and rear | Front and rear |
| ORVMs | Manual | Power adjustable |
| Keyless entry | No | Yes |
Price
MG Motor India has hiked the prices of the and Hector Plus from 1 April , 2021. The Latest ex-showroom prices of both the cars are as follows :
| Tata Safari XE | MG Hector Plus Style |
| XE – Rs 14.69 lakh ( Ex-showroom , Delhi ) | Style – Rs 15.03 lakh ( Ex-showroom , Delhi ) |
Verdict
The base XE variant of 2021 Tata Safari is less expensive than the 2021 MG Hector Plus Style variant but Hector Plus style offers you a better value for money package such as LED headlamps and DRLs, larger 17-inch wheels, electrically adjustable outside rearview mirrors, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and ISOFIX anchorage