Is the Tata Harrier too big to be driven in cities?
The Tata Harrier has a large presence on the road and impressively looks the part, which are arguments commonly cited by the manufacturer. But how practical is this large footprint in urban environments? Indian cities are famous for their narrow roads, small parking spaces and traffic chaos. The Harrier's size might actually be an advantage on highways and open roads, but an obstacle in city centers. Certain users prefer the security and visibility offered by a larger car, whereas others are intimidated by hard to negotiate tight spaces. The debate even includes fuel efficiency in stop and go traffic and the ease of finding suitable parking spaces. With more and more buyers looking to the SUV segment for daily driving these days, this becomes even more relevant, especially so as to find out if the Harrier's dimensions are a boon or bane in that urban driving is concerned.
I drive a Harrier every day in Mumbai and honestly it’s not as bad as you’d think. Yes, it’s big but the view made it easy to navigate traffic. Parking can be a bit difficult, but the 360 degree camera makes it easier.
I switched from a hatchback to a Harrier so I can say it took some getting used to. In narrow lanes, it feels massive and U turns can be a pain. The downsides of that are that they tend to be heavy, bulky, and require a large amount of space, but the benefits of space and comfort outweigh the downsides for me. Adapting your driving style is all it’s about.
I had test driven the Harrier but decided against it because it was too big. And in a city like Bangalore with notoriously bad traffic, I felt it was simply too big to be practical. So I went with a compact SUV and don't regret it.
One of the reasons I love my Harrier is because the size is actually quite small. It's big yes, but it feels safe and comfortable in the chaos of city traffic because of that. And, thanks to its high seating position, you have a great view of the road ahead. It's all about perspective.
I suspect the Harrier is painted too big. Other popular SUVs like the XUV700 are not that much bigger. It’s perfectly manageable in the city once you get used to it. It has a surprisingly good turning radius for its size.
I'll be the first to admit the size can be a problem in really tight spots as a Harrier owner. It's okay for most city driving, though. The real problem is fuel efficiency in heavy traffic, that's what you feel the weight of the car.
In fact, the Harrier is actually easier to drive in the city than small cars. You have a great visibility and the elevated seating position and the large windows are great when the traffic is unpredictable. Behind the wheel it's all about confidence.
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Discussions and Questions Is The Tata Harrier Too Big To Be Driven In Cities
Is the Tata Harrier too big to be driven in cities?
24 December 2024 12:34
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