Forland has recently launched the Safari, a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), designed to directly compete with Suzuki’s popular APV, often preferred by large families and car rental services for excursions to the northern regions. In this comprehensive review, we take a closer look at the Safari’s exterior, interior, engine specifications, features, safety options, and pricing.
Exterior
The Safari boasts a somewhat understated exterior design. The front of the MPV features large headlights, a subtly sloping hood, a spacious grille, and foglamps located at the bumper’s edges. The choice of a dual-tone paint job adds a touch of personality to the Safari, even though it may come off as somewhat muted.
Moving to the rear, there isn’t much to remark about the design, but the vertical headlights aligning with the horizontal reflectors on the rear hatch provide it with a unique and distinctive appearance, setting it apart from the standard minivan look.
Interior
Inside the cabin, the Safari offers a tasteful and appealing atmosphere, thanks to the combination of wood and beige dual-tone elements on the dashboard. This dual-tone theme extends to the seats, which are a blend of beige and dark grey, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing interior. The inclusion of a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and a dual-zone climate control system adds a modern touch to the vehicle’s interior.
Engine
Powering the Safari, specifically the Deluxe and Comfort variants, is a 1,500-CC 4-cylinder EFI engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox. This engine generates 107 hp and 147Nm of torque, offering competitive performance similar to the Suzuki APV, but with slightly improved torque. The Standard model, however, comes with a 1,300 CC engine equipped with the same 5-speed transmission. It’s worth noting that the Safari is exclusively available with a manual transmission. Forland claims that the Safari achieves a fuel consumption rate of 13-14 km per liter for in-city driving.
Features and Safety Options
The Safari shines brightly when it comes to features and safety options, distinguishing itself from competitors in the market. It boasts electronic power steering, a rearview camera, daytime running lights (DRLs), central locking, power windows for the front seats, ABS brakes, tire pressure monitoring, door open warning, parking brake warning, and a seat-belt warning system for the driver. Moreover, all seats are equipped with seatbelts and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Price, Booking, and Availability
Forland Safari is now officially available and can be booked through authorized dealerships in Pakistan. The MPV is offered in three different variants with the following price points:
- Standard: Rs. 37.99 Lac
- Comfort: Rs. 40.99 Lac
- Deluxe: Rs. 42.99 Lac
The Comfort variant excludes certain features such as rear AC, dual-color paint, central locking, power windows for the front seats, touchscreen display, fog lamps, reverse camera, ABS, and tire pressure monitoring. The Standard model further lowers the price by utilizing a 1,300 CC engine.
Here’s a summary in a table format:
Variant | Price (in PKR) | Notable Features |
---|---|---|
Standard | 37.99 Lac | 1,300 CC engine |
Comfort | 40.99 Lac | Rear AC, dual-color paint, central locking, and more |
Deluxe | 42.99 Lac | Full range of features |
Forland’s Safari promises a strong contender in the 7-seater MPV market, offering a compelling mix of style, features, and competitive pricing, while taking on the established Suzuki APV.