One thing people like about front-drive minivans is that they're quite
car-like. Owners even refer to their minivans as cars. But there are few
such misconceptions about the Safari. It's built higher off the ground
than the front-drivers, so you will have to make at least something of
a climb to reach the driver's (or any other) seat. To those who are height-challenged
or who place a premium on decorum during entry and exit, this vehicle height
may be an issue. Then, once inside, there is more of a feeling of being
in a "truck-like" vehicle than a "car-like" vehicle.
Not that it's rough or crude; far from it. But you sit higher and the seating
position won't confuse you into thinking you're behind the wheel of a sedan.
But if those issues are not issues with you, the Safari has a lot to
offer. With all seats in place there is 41.3 cubic feet of cargo space,
and with the center and rear seats out of the way you'll have room for
a whopping 170.4 cubic feet of sample cases or home improvement supplies.
And, once seated, you'll find the comfort level to be surprisingly good,
a big benefit in something that is likely to be used for longer trips.
Thanks to a revision a couple of years ago the instrument panel design
is rounded and flowing. The instruments are clearly legible, and occupants
will appreciate the controls for the sound system and the heating and air
conditioning being easy to operate and not intruding upon each other's
spaces. Further down in the center console are a pair of cupholders which
will accept both cans or mugs, and a moderate glovebox. There are numerous
other storage areas throughout the interior: Map pockets in the front doors,
a big compartment along the left-hand side of the center seating area,
a cupholder for the center seat, large storage areas under the third seat
armrests, open bins behind those same armrests and two more cupholders
for the third seat. In addition to the cigarette lighter there are three
12-volt power outlets, two in front and one in the rear.
With eight-passenger seating the center and rear seats are three-person
benches; in the SLT, these benches are split-back with folding armrests
and a center console. Optionally available is seven-passenger seating,
which replaces the center bench with a pair of high-back, reclining buckets.
Outward visibility is great, especially from the front. You sit up high
and the windshield and side windows are huge, so you have an absolutely
commanding view of the road.
The Safari doesn't exactly ride and drive like a car, but you can expel
"truck-like" from your expectations; in feel, it's somewhere
in between. The strong engine gives ample performance, so this thing scoots
with traffic and has plenty of power to make that dreaded uphill freeway
merge, even when loaded.
Steering feel is direct, and the whole feeling of going down the highway
is one of immense, sure and relentless stability. Our personal experience
in the Safari includes one day-long run in which it was loaded past the
window sills, we had to make it by sundown and the speedometer spent most
of the time in a range beyond that posted roadside, but it was comfortable
and easy as we simply let the Safari do the work.
Ride-wise, there's a noticeable gap between the Safari and the better
front-drive minivans (some of which approach luxury-car territory). This
is exacerbated due to (in the Safari) sitting up high and nearly over the
front tires. But only the most critical will object and, when you consider
the workhorse aspects of the trade-off, we feel the end result is worth
it.