In the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian automotive market, the Tata Harrier stands as a testament to the country’s growing ambition and capability in producing world-class vehicles.
Launched in 2019, the Harrier marked Tata Motors’ foray into the premium SUV segment, challenging established players and redefining expectations for homegrown vehicles.
A Design That Turns Heads
The Tata Harrier’s design is nothing short of a head-turner. Drawing inspiration from the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy, the Harrier boasts a bold and muscular stance that commands attention on the road.
The front fascia features sleek LED DRLs positioned high on the hood, with the main headlamp cluster placed lower – a unique arrangement that gives the Harrier a distinctive and modern look.
The SUV’s side profile is characterized by strong character lines and flared wheel arches, emphasizing its robust nature.
The floating roof design, accentuated by a contrast-colored panel, adds a touch of sophistication. At the rear, slim LED taillights connected by a glossy black panel create a wide and planted appearance.
Tata’s attention to detail is evident in elements like the shark-fin antenna, roof rails, and the tasteful use of chrome accents.
The overall design language successfully marries aggression with elegance, making the Harrier equally at home in urban environments and rugged terrains.
Spacious and Premium Interiors
Step inside the Tata Harrier, and you’re greeted by a cabin that punches above its weight class. The interior design is a harmonious blend of contemporary styling and practical functionality.
The dashboard features a layered design with a mix of soft-touch materials, wood-finish panels, and brushed aluminum accents, creating an upmarket ambiance.
The centerpiece of the interior is the 8.8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Below it, the climate control panel features a mix of touch-sensitive buttons and physical knobs, striking a balance between modern aesthetics and user-friendly operation.
One of the Harrier’s strongest suits is its spaciousness. The wide cabin offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers.
The rear seats, with their optimal recline angle and well-cushioned support, make long journeys a comfortable affair. The panoramic sunroof, available in higher trims, adds to the sense of airiness and luxury.
Power and Performance
Under the hood, the Tata Harrier packs a punch with its 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel engine. This powerplant, sourced from Fiat and refined by Tata, churns out a healthy 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque.
The engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic, catering to different driving preferences.
The Harrier’s performance on the road is impressive. The torquey engine provides strong mid-range punch, making overtaking maneuvers a breeze.
The automatic transmission, while not the quickest in its class, offers smooth shifts and adds to the overall relaxed driving experience.
One of the standout features of the Harrier is its terrain response system, which offers multiple driving modes – Normal, Wet, and Rough.
This system adjusts the engine mapping and traction control settings to optimize performance across different surfaces, enhancing the Harrier’s versatility.
Ride and Handling
The Tata Harrier rides on the OMEGA (Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced) architecture, derived from Land Rover’s D8 platform.
This sophisticated underpinning contributes significantly to the Harrier’s excellent ride quality and handling characteristics.
The suspension setup, consisting of independent MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent twist blade at the rear, is well-tuned to tackle Indian road conditions.
The Harrier glides over potholes and rough patches with aplomb, offering a plush ride that’s among the best in its class.
Despite its size, the Harrier handles surprisingly well. Body roll is well-controlled, and the steering, while light at city speeds, weighs up nicely as speeds increase.
The brakes provide good stopping power, inspiring confidence even under hard braking.
Technology and Features
Tata has loaded the Harrier with a host of features to justify its premium positioning. The top-spec variants come equipped with:
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with JBL audio
- Semi-digital instrument cluster with a 7-inch TFT display
- Panoramic sunroof
- Automatic climate control with rear AC vents
- Leather upholstery
- 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Cruise control
- Rain-sensing wipers and auto headlamps
- Terrain response modes
- 360-degree camera
On the safety front, the Harrier doesn’t disappoint. It comes with:
- 6 airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Hill Hold Control
- Hill Descent Control
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- Rear parking sensors with camera
Variants and Pricing
The Tata Harrier is available in multiple variants, catering to different budget ranges and feature preferences. As of 2023, the lineup includes:
- XE (Base variant)
- XM
- XMS
- XT
- XT+
- XZ
- XZ+
- XZA+ (Top-spec automatic)
Prices range from approximately ₹15 lakh for the base XE variant to around ₹24 lakh for the top-spec XZA+ variant (ex-showroom prices, subject to change).
The Competition
In the premium SUV segment, the Tata Harrier faces stiff competition from both domestic and international players. Its main rivals include:
- MG Hector
- Jeep Compass
- Hyundai Tucson
- Mahindra XUV700
Each of these competitors brings its own strengths to the table, but the Harrier holds its own with its striking design, spacious interiors, and value-for-money proposition.
The Harrier’s Impact on Tata Motors
The launch of the Harrier marked a significant milestone for Tata Motors. It showcased the company’s ability to produce a vehicle that could compete with global brands in terms of design, features, and overall quality.
The Harrier’s success has bolstered Tata’s image as a serious player in the premium segment, paving the way for future upmarket offerings.
Moreover, the technologies and learnings from the Harrier project have trickled down to other Tata models, elevating the entire product lineup. The OMEGA architecture, for instance, also underpins the Safari, Tata’s flagship 7-seater SUV.
New Tata Harrier : A Game Changer for Tata
The Tata Harrier represents more than just another SUV in the market; it’s a bold statement of intent from one of India’s largest automakers.
With its striking design, premium interiors, robust performance, and competitive pricing, the Harrier has successfully carved out a niche for itself in a crowded segment.
While it may not be perfect – areas like fuel efficiency and the lack of a petrol engine option have been points of criticism – the Harrier’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
It has played a crucial role in changing perceptions about Tata Motors, proving that the company can produce vehicles that are not just practical and affordable, but also desirable and premium.
As Tata continues to refine and evolve the Harrier, it stands as a proud flag-bearer for the Indian automotive industry’s growing capabilities.
For buyers looking for a premium SUV that offers a blend of style, comfort, and performance, the Tata Harrier presents a compelling case, proudly wearing its ‘Made in India’ tag.