The Tata Harrier has gained a strong reputation in India’s mid-size SUV segment due to its blend of performance, premium design, and advanced features. Built on a platform derived from Land Rover’s D8 architecture, the Harrier offers a commanding presence on the road and a comfortable ride experience, making it a practical yet stylish choice for Indian families.
This article explores the Tata Harrier’s design, engine performance, interior comfort, safety features, and overall value, offering a detailed view of what makes this SUV a strong contender in its category.
Bold Design and Road Presence
The Tata Harrier stands out with its aggressive and modern styling. Its design follows Tata Motors’ Impact Design 2.0 language, which emphasizes sharp lines, a bold stance, and a sophisticated silhouette.
Key Exterior Highlights:
- LED DRLs and Projector Headlamps: Positioned uniquely, the LED daytime running lights sit above the headlamps, giving it a futuristic look.
- Signature Grille: A distinctive grille design with chrome accents enhances its premium appeal.
- Dual-tone Roof and Alloys: Top variants offer a contrasting roof and diamond-cut alloy wheels, adding to the sporty aesthetics.
- Rear Styling: Sleek LED tail lamps connected by a gloss black panel and a sculpted tailgate complete the dynamic rear design.
With its muscular build and high ground clearance (205 mm), the Harrier delivers excellent road presence, making it ideal for both city and highway driving.
Spacious and Premium Interiors
Inside the Tata Harrier, the cabin is designed to provide a blend of luxury and functionality. It features soft-touch materials, a layered dashboard, and an overall spacious layout.
Interior Features:
- Seating and Upholstery: Offers premium leatherette seats with ample legroom and headroom for all occupants.
- Panoramic Sunroof: Available in higher trims, enhancing cabin openness and providing a premium experience.
- Infotainment System: A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and is connected to a premium JBL sound system (available in select variants).
- Digital Instrument Cluster: Provides customizable displays, navigation integration, and drive mode visuals.
The rear seat comfort is noteworthy, especially for long-distance travel, thanks to the supportive cushioning and wide rear bench.
Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the Tata Harrier is powered by a 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Fiat. This BS6-compliant engine delivers 167.6 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, ensuring a responsive driving experience in various conditions.
Transmission Options:
- 6-speed Manual Transmission: For those who prefer traditional gear control.
- 6-speed Automatic Transmission: Offers smoother city commuting and effortless highway cruising.
Driving and Terrain Modes:
- Drive Modes: Eco, City, and Sport.
- Terrain Response Modes: Normal, Rough, and Wet, improving traction across varying road conditions.
This combination makes the Harrier capable of handling city traffic, long highway journeys, and occasional off-road trails with ease.
Ride Quality and Handling
The Tata Harrier offers a comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections effectively. It features a well-tuned suspension setup that balances city drivability with high-speed stability.
Steering and Dynamics:
- Electric Power Steering: Replacing the earlier hydraulic unit, the new steering setup enhances maneuverability, especially at low speeds.
- Disc Brakes with ABS & EBD: Ensures responsive braking and control even during emergency stops.
Thanks to its robust monocoque chassis, the Harrier provides minimal body roll during turns and excellent confidence at high speeds.
Safety Features and ADAS Technology
The Tata Harrier emphasizes safety, offering a strong build and multiple driver-assist features.
Standard and Optional Safety Features:
- Airbags: Up to 6 airbags available in higher trims.
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP): With features like hill hold control, traction control, and rollover mitigation.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and autonomous emergency braking (available in new variants).
- 360-degree Camera: Assists in parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.
Built on the OMEGARC platform derived from Land Rover, the Harrier ensures a high level of structural safety and impact protection.
According to Global NCAP’s recent safety testing protocols, Tata’s SUV lineup, including the Harrier’s sibling, the Safari, has been recognized for improved crashworthiness and occupant protection.
Fuel Efficiency
While performance is a key strength of the Tata Harrier, its fuel economy is decent for its size and engine capacity.
- City Mileage: Approximately 11-13 km/l
- Highway Mileage: Around 14-16 km/l
These figures vary based on driving habits, terrain, and transmission type. The automatic version, while more convenient, typically delivers slightly lower mileage compared to the manual variant.
Variants and Pricing
As of 2025, the Tata Harrier is available in multiple variants, catering to different budget levels and feature preferences.
Price Range (Ex-Showroom India):
- Base Variant (Smart): ₹15.49 lakh
- Top Variant (Fearless+ Dark Edition with ADAS): ₹26.44 lakh
This pricing places the Harrier in direct competition with rivals such as the Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Creta, MG Hector, and Jeep Compass.
Tata Motors also offers Dark Edition, Red Dark Edition, and Kaziranga Edition for customers seeking exclusive styling packages.
Tata Harrier Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Impressive exterior design and road presence
- Spacious and premium interiors
- Advanced safety and driver assistance features
- Strong diesel performance
- Competitive pricing
❌ Cons:
- No petrol engine option
- Infotainment system could be more responsive
- Slightly high kerb weight affects agility in tight spots
Conclusion
The Tata Harrier is a feature-rich, performance-oriented SUV that offers a fine balance between ruggedness and comfort. With its bold styling, spacious interior, refined diesel engine, and focus on safety, it is a compelling choice in the premium mid-size SUV market.
Whether for city commutes or long highway drives, the Harrier delivers a confident and enjoyable driving experience. For buyers seeking a well-rounded SUV that doesn’t compromise on style, performance, or safety, the Tata Harrier remains a strong contender.