Tata Harrier

Expert Review by Maxabout

Since its launch, the Tata Harrier has been one of the most significant products for the Indian automaker. It is a mid-size SUV that redefines competition within the segment while still maintaining its own niche through its aggressive design and feature set. Firstly, the exteriors are simply fantastic, assuming a bold stance while also having precise lines and an elegant look. The first impression after seeing the car is its enormous sizes and unusual shapes. It is high clear that Tata has worked hard towards ensuring that the Harrier is an eye catcher.

Design and Aesthetics

When judging the Harrier the first thing that comes into the designer’s eyes is the exterior of the car. The upper half of the front profile is aesthetically pleasing with L shaped led daytime running lights which also function as indicators while the headlamps sit lower on the front bumper. Thus this has made the Harrier look very advanced and aggressive and has made some big steps ahead of its peers in the market.

To the side, the Harrier’s body structures – the coupe inspired quick character lines and floating roof – sculpt the silhouette well. The muscular stance has also been enhanced by the 19 inch alloy wheel which is furnished in the higher trims. At the rear, the LED rear combination lamps that unify the sequential blinker indicators look very posh I wished they were a Standard feature too.

Walking through the Harrier’s doors, I was surprised to find a well planned out and roomy cab. The draughting board has an unusual composition of soft materials, leatherettes, and so on depending on the interior theme of the particular variant. Cubes or legs of the sunroof promotes ventilation of the interior of the car whereas, the media, including lights, can also be designed by the user as per their choice.

Performance and Powertrain

This time around, the Harrier comes equipped with a 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel motor engine which effortlessly delivers 168 bhp with a torque figure of 350 Nm. The Taigo engine comes dryer with either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic one. I can say that the engine response was good relative to the type of terrain whether town or highway.

The automatic transmission on the other hand was quite core nic especially when it comes to the gear shifting which was so swift. It even has paddle shifters which makes it easier to use. The Harrier thus does not disappoint in terms of ride quality. It has the OMEGA ARC platform developed from land rover sandwiched in between. It swallows bad roads effortlessly and is stable on the fast track.

Something that caught my eye during the ride is mundaneness of having three drive modes – Eco, City, and Sport. These features change the nature of the power-train response as well as feel of the steering. This implication facilitates the driving experience as per ones inclinations change or situational impacts.

Features and Technology

There is an impressive number of features that have been added in the Harrier by Tata. In the centre of the dashboard is a 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system which is accompanied by a 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster. The infotech system is amenable to wireless attachment through Android auto or Apple carplay.

Thanks to the JBL audio system that comprises of 9 speakers and an external amplifier, listening to music is not a problem. Additional features available in the car include though not limited to 360 degrees camera, wireless phone charger, seat coolers in the front and air cleaner.

The Harrier safety is one of its strongholds. It is rated five stars on the safety scale according to Bharat NCAP. It possesses seven airbags 6 as the default configuration, electronic stability and several advanced driver assistance systems. There are I must add others such as autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning systems which came in handy particularly on the highway.

Variants

There are four main variants in which the Tata Harrier is available: Smart, Pure, Adventure and Fearless. They all differ in the amount of equipment offered and the features included. After testing all trims, I think that the Adventure variant is the one that gives you as much as you can get for a fair sum of money. It offers the majority of the high-end features such as the panaromic sun roof and ADAS system, only this does not cost the additional price of the most expensive top-end Fearless variant.

Market Position and Pricing

The Harrier retails at Rs. 15.49 to Rs. 26.44 lakh ex-showroom, thus opting itself among the upper crust in the mid-size SUV market. It may be interpreted as relatively expensive compared to some rivals, but the Harrier’s build quality, features and safety credentials speak for its price tag.

Target Audience

The Harrier must be for buyers looking for a good looking and a lot functional SUV with extensive road presence. Best for families looking for a roomy and comfortable car for city and long journeys as well. The availability of ADAS features would also encourage technology-oriented customers who value practicality and safety.

Value for Money

I think Harrier is money worthy as regards to the features offered, build quality and safety ratings, specifically the mid-variant cuts. The underpinnings inherited from Land Rover and Tata’s accolades of being robust further enhance its long-term attractiveness.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

As for the Harrier, its automatic variant can achieve a mileage of 14.6 kmpl and the manual variant ARAI certified 16.8 kmpl. Such ‘claims’ were also easy to achieve in normal usage during the test drives, earning the vehicle a tick in that the car is fairly powerful and comparatively large in size.

Competitors and Comparison

The absurdly priced Harrier fights for lumps with the likes Mahindra’s XUV700, MG Hector and Jeep Compass. When no available features are additional to these observed competitors, the Harrier is different in appearance and full-featured more. They are at par with most of the competition in the aspects of space and comfort and even in some areas they surpass most of the competitors.

Nevertheless, that diesel is the only engine option is a letdown to some, more so in urban areas that have imposed diesel vehicle restrictions. For example, for the XUV700, there is an option of either petrol or diesel and it can be configured in 7-seater, both of which the Harrier does not offer.

Once on the road, dynamic properties impressed me with the Harrier compared to its sportier rival. Jeep Compass however, it handles better the over-road bumps than the majority of its rivals, standing its sturdy structure.

Conclusion

Having used the Tata Harrier for quite some time, I believe that this is great animal for those who are looking for something in the mid-size SUV. Its effective design aesthetic, comfortable cabin space and range of features provided give it an added advantage in a competitive market situation. The strong safety ratings and the fact that they come with ADAS features only add to the value proposition.

If the absence of petrol engine option and the comparatively slightly higher cost than some rivals is one of such reasons, there is no need for that in this case as the Harrier more than compensates for it by virtue of its package. This is a car that is premium, drives great, and instills trust with its safety features.

In this regard, experience buyers such as those in search of an impressive and functional SUV, able to cope with, not only city roads but also long distant trailers do not need to look beyond the Tata Harrier. This is where Tata has focused on distinguishing itself, in its aim to provide world class vehicles there is a paradigm shift in this vehicle among follows.