Tata Harrier: The Indian roads are changing and Tata Motors is at the top of the game with their new SUV, the Harrier. With its legendary “Dhakad” design and unparalleled premium-ness, the Harrier is the flagship product of Tata Motors and has been the true personification of the Impact 2.0 design language that has been the core of Tata Motors transformation journey.
This in-depth review looks at what makes the Harrier a strong contender in the hotly contested SUV market.
Tata Harrier Commanding Presence: The Look of a Commander
Designed according to the IMPACT 2.0 language, the exterior of the Tata Harrier is as Dhakad as it can get. The front comes in a typical split headlamp formation with DRLs sitting atop the main headlamp cluster, making the motorcycle appeal very unqiue and easily distinguishable on Indian roads.
A power dome hood with strong character lines is paired to the vehicle’s wide grille which includes chrome surrounds. The jumbo-sized front bumper features fog lamps while an air dam with presence-defining headlamps create an aggressive stance.
Towards the sides, the Harrier gets well-balanced green house, flared wheel arches and dual-tone alloy wheels that lends an up market feel to the car.
Towards the back, the linked LED taillamps form a contemporary lighting signature, along with the built-in roof spoiler and the chrome-finished bumper contribute to the suave look of the car. The two-tone exterior colour options are more adds-on for the premium stance of the SUV.
Power under the Hood Performance That Matters
The Harrier’s engine options reinforces its upmarket image. The main engine offered is the 2.0-litre ‘Kryotec’ diesel engine, which churns out refined power outputs ideal for city as well as highway cruising.
They also realized that this is a powerful engine with very good NVH quoted figures too, so guess they had to keep this engine smooth and enjoy our driving!
The engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox or an advanced 6-speed automatic one. The auto comes with several driving modes-Eco, City and Sport, enabling the driver to achieve the ideal balance between efficiency and performance. Torque is linear, ultimately making passing moves decisive and relatively easy.
Cabin quality: Luxury and usability collide
Within the Harrier, quality materials and intelligent layout make a case for its slot in the range. In the dash is an infotainment screen that seems to float, and is surrounded by soft touch materials and piano black accents. All functions are comfortably close with the driver-orientated clustering design.
The seats are available in top-quality upholstery and provide perfect support even on longer trips. Top-end models also get ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats. The back seat also offers decent room, including good leg and head room that should be comfortable for adults on longer drives.
Nikola Tech: · Smart Features for the Modern Driver
Technology in the Harrier is not compromised as the SUV comes with an extensive array of features that add convenience and connectivity. An infotainment system, probably centered around a big touchscreen, will pair with smartphones courtesy of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The car is equipped with connected car tech that offers functions such as remote engine start, vehicle tracking, geo-fencing and diagnostic alerts from a dedicated smartphone app.
The digital display behind the steering wheel is easy to read and looks very modern. Ambient lighting, wireless charging, and an array of USB hubs cater to the connectivity needs of people today.
It is Safe:Full Protection
Safety remains at the forefront of the Harrier’s design philosophy. The SUV gets dual airbags as standard, while the top-spec variants come with as many as six airbags for complete occupant safety. ESP, traction control and hill hold function for offroading are some of the advanced features.
It’s a sturdy setup that includes good crash protection features such as rear parking sensors and camera systems, and in higher trims, front parking sensors and a 360 camera. While ISOFIX child seat anchors and disc brakes on all four wheels keep the safety aspect in check.
Driving Performance: Powerful durability for work and play
Using Land Rover Discovery Sport underpinnings, the Harrier offers great on-road dynamics and rides easily on roads and light off-road conditions.
The suspension straddles comfort as well as handling accuracy, so that you can go over undulating surfaces without breaking any sweat and also hold your line throughout when cruising at speed.
In automatic models the terrain response modes assist in the vehicle adjusting to various driving conditions. With some decent ground clearance and approach angles, it will do most soft-roading you throw at it, but the bulk of it is still about refinement and on-road comfort.
Premium Features: Taking It to the Next Level
The Harrier is differentiated by high end features which not only add to the ownership experience. Automatic climate control with rear AC vents provide comfortable ambience for the passengers. The audio system from partnered world-class brands provides superb sound quality.
Higher trims get push button start, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps and driving modes. The premium feel is enhanced in some models with the addition of a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with natural light.
Ease and comfort means thoughtful deisgn.
The design of the Harrier is occupant centric in every parameter. The aircon is chiller-worthy for Indian conditions and cabin noise is well-insulated too.
Door pockets, the center console and glove compartments are all good-sized, useful storage spaces throughout the cabin.
The tailgate gets the electronic operation in higher trims, for the ease of loading and unloading. The boot is huge, and its second row can be folded to expand luggage space if necessary.
Build Quality and Reliability
Tata’s strong build quality focus reflects in the Harrier. The panel gaps are close and the fit and finish comparable to international levels. The materials in the cabin exude quality as well, contributing a premium feel that befits the position of the SUV.
Reliability of Tata vehicles has been enhanced massively and Harrier has its components sourced from global suppliers. Add on that extended warranty or full-service package that adds peace of mind for consumers.
Value Proposition :Premium Features at an Affordable Price.
Once again, despite providing equal features and quality as costlier SUVs, the Harrier carries attractive price tags in India. Buyers have so many different options to buy to select from different variations of features, size and much more which helps you easily make a buying decision.
Add to that the fact that resale value is also trending strong and Tata’s wider footprint in the market and better brand image and the Harrier becomes a very solid brand investment. A range of attractive schemes and financing options also make it an appealing choice for discerning premium SUV clientele.
Segment Competition and Market Structure
The Harrier battles for space in a category that consists of established players and upstarts. It is a combination of design, features, and reliability that really makes it stand out. The “Dhakad” appeal should fit-in nicely with the Indian audience who like the dominating road presence with premium features.
Its placement gives those who want to move up from a compact SUV an option other than taking the luxury route. This sweet spot enables it to hold appeal for a range of buyer demographics.
“After you Bring your Puppy Home: The Owner Experience”
Tata Motors’s expanding dealership network is there for service support all over India. The customer service support, as well as 24/7 roadside assistance, increases ownership confidence.
Continuous software updates ensure that a Polestar owner’s car gets better and better over time, increasing the value of the car across what will be a long ownership cycle.
Future Outlook and Evolution
The Harrier is progressing all the time, with developments that respond to customer feedback and developments in the market. Emphasising electrification indicates that future iterations could have hybrid or battery-electric powertrains, so the SUV would remain relevant in a rapidly evolving car market.
Tata Harrier Conclusion
The Dhakad of the Tata Harrier is an exquisite blend of luxury with affordability. The baby GLS packs stylish looks, a long features list, strong performance, and sound safety kit make it a strong choice for Indian customers who are looking for premium SUV experience.
The car symbolizes the company’s pledge for world class products that suit the needs of the Indian market. For buyers who are in the market for an SUV that is attention-grabbing and backed by substance, the Harrier becomes a great choice.
While the SUV market is red hot, the Harrier offers a stylish blend of technology and value, and we expect those selling points to continue to attract today’s increasingly discerning customer.
It’s “Dhakad” on roads too and brings alive the idea that top of line doesn’t need to be pricy, which is why this model makes for a very attractive buy across-the-board.