The Tata Harrier is a testament to India’s increasing ambition and capacity to produce top-tier automobiles in the constantly changing Indian automotive market.
With its 2019 launch, the Harrier signaled Tata Motors’ entry into the high-end SUV market, upending long-standing competitors and changing the standards for domestic automobiles.
An Eye-Catching Design
The design of the Tata Harrier is quite striking. The Harrier’s aggressive and powerful attitude, which draws influence from the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy, attracts attention on the road.
The Harrier has a striking and contemporary appearance thanks to the front fascia’s unusual arrangement of slim LED DRLs high on the hood and the primary headlamp cluster beneath.
The SUV’s side look highlights its robustness with flared wheel arches and strong character lines.
A contrast-colored panel highlights the floating roof design, which gives it a sophisticated touch. Slim LED taillights joined by a glossy black strip at the back give the vehicle a rooted, expansive look.
Features like the roof rails, shark-fin antenna, and the elegant use of chrome highlights demonstrate Tata’s attention to detail.
The Harrier is as comfortable in urban settings and rough terrain thanks to the general design language, which skillfully blends aggression and elegance.
Roomy and Elegant Interiors
The cabin of the Tata Harrier is impressive for its class when you first enter. The interior design is a beautiful blend of contemporary elegance and practical practicality.
An upscale atmosphere is created by the dashboard’s layered design, which combines wood-finish panels, brushed aluminum accents, and soft-touch materials.
The 8.8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, which is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is the focal point of the cabin.
A combination of tactile knobs and touch-sensitive controls on the temperature control panel beneath it provide a compromise between contemporary style and easy-to-use functionality.
The Harrier’s roominess is one of its best features. Both front and back passengers have plenty of headroom and legroom in the spacious cabin.
Long trips are made comfortable by the rear seats’ ideal recline angle and supportive cushioning. Higher trim levels come with a panoramic sunroof, which enhances the feeling of space and elegance.
Strength and Efficiency
The 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel engine under the hood of the Tata Harrier is a powerful powerplant. This Fiat-sourced and Tata-improved powertrain produces a robust 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque.
To accommodate varying driving tastes, the engine can be coupled to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
On the road, the Harrier performs admirably. Overtaking is a breeze thanks to the torquey engine’s powerful mid-range punch.
Even while it’s not the fastest in its class, the automatic transmission makes shifts seamless and contributes to a more comfortable driving experience overall.
The Harrier’s terrain response system, which provides three driving modes—Normal, Wet, and Rough—is one of its best qualities.
This system increases the Harrier’s adaptability by modifying the traction control and engine mapping settings to maximize performance on various terrain.
Transport and Management
The Tata Harrier is powered by the D8 platform’s OMEGA (Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced) design.
The Harrier’s exceptional handling and ride quality are greatly enhanced by this advanced underpinning.
With a semi-independent twist blade at the back and independent MacPherson struts up front, the suspension system is perfectly suited to Indian road conditions.
The Harrier provides one of the most comfortable rides in its class while gliding over potholes and uneven terrain with ease.
The Harrier handles surprisingly nicely for its size. Although the steering is light at city speeds, it pounds nicely as speeds climb, and body roll is well-controlled.
Even when braking hard, the brakes’ strong stopping strength gives you confidence.
Features and Technologies
In order to support its premium positioning, Tata has packed the Harrier with a number of goodies. The top-spec models come equipped with:
- JBL audio and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Cluster of semi-digital instruments featuring a 7-inch TFT screen
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rear air conditioning vents and automatic climate control
- Upholstery made of leather
- 6-way driver’s seat power adjustment
- Cruise control
- Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
- Modes of terrain reaction
- 360-degree camera
On the safety aspect, the Harrier doesn’t disappoint. It comes with:
- The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has six airbags with ABS.
- Control of Hill Hold and Control of Hill Descent
- Child seat anchors that are ISOFIX
- Camera-equipped rear parking sensors
Price and Variants
As of 2023, the Tata Harrier lineup consists of the following models, which cater to varying budgets and feature preferences:
- XM
- XMS
- XT
- XT+
- XZ
- XZ+
- XZA+ (Top-spec automatic) XE (Base variation)
The standard XE model costs about ₹15 lakh, while the top-spec XZA+ variant costs about ₹24 lakh (ex-showroom prices, subject to change).
The Contest
The Tata Harrier is up against fierce competition in the high-end SUV market from both domestic and foreign competitors, including:
- Jeep Compass
- MG Hector
- Hyundai Tucso
- Mahindra XUV700
Although each of these rivals has advantages of its own, the Harrier’s eye-catching appearance, roomy cabin, and affordable price make it competitive.
The Effect of the Harrier on Tata Motors
For Tata Motors, the Harrier’s introduction was a major turning point. It demonstrated the company’s capacity to create a car with features, design, and general quality that could rival those of international brands.
Tata’s reputation as a major force in the premium market has been strengthened by the Harrier’s success, opening the door for more upscale products in the future.
Furthermore, the entire Tata product lineup has been improved by the technologies and lessons learned from the Harrier project, which have permeated other models. For example, Tata’s flagship seven-seater SUV, the Safari, is likewise built on the OMEGA architecture.
The New Tata Harrier Will Revolutionize Tata’s Business
The Tata Harrier is a daring declaration of intent from one of the biggest automakers in India, not simply another SUV on the market.
The Harrier has effectively established a space for itself in a congested market thanks to its eye-catching design, luxurious amenities, strong performance, and affordable price.
The Harrier’s advantages greatly exceed its disadvantages, despite the fact that it may not be flawless—problems with fuel economy and the absence of a gasoline engine option have been mentioned.
It has been significant in altering opinions about Tata Motors by demonstrating that the firm is capable of producing cars that are not only useful and reasonably priced, but also elegant and appealing.
As Tata continues to refine and evolve the Harrier, it stands as a proud flag-bearer for the Indian automotive industry’s growing capabilities.
With its “Made in India” moniker, the Tata Harrier makes a strong case for buyers seeking a high-end SUV that combines performance, comfort, and style.