TATA Harrier review

Do you remember the auto expo held in Feb of this year?

In that expo, Tata had showcased its H5X concept, which astonished, or should I say bewildered everyone who witnessed this concept car. Yes, that concept car, it is ready to roll down on the roads, and you will see it on the roads from the Jan 2019.

Looks and Design

It has been made on the platform Omega Arc, which is derived from Land Rover’s D8 or L550 platform. You can see that it is related to the Land Rover Discovery from its outside structure.

the  Harrier looks premium and appealing, it has got the new front design with the new way of positioning the headlights, slim going with the flow of the front grill and other just above the fog lamp. Some may like it and some may hate it but, you won't be able to ignore it.

It's not just the looks but also the quality. Don’t get the wrong idea that it’s just all looks, no, it is not!

Xenon HID Projector Headlamps which is a combination of fog lamp and headlamp. 3D LED Tail Lamps with Sporty Piano Black Finisher which gives it a bit of sporty feel with harrier batch adds to the appeal. To add to the premium touch they have also added a Harrier bath to the side and a logo projection on the ground from the side rear view mirror.  With 17 inches alloy wheel which ads to the big heavy SUV look.

It's not just outside that it amazes us but, it continues inside too. Elegant Oak Wood Finish Dashboard really gives the premium feel, with the Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel adds to it, followed by leather seats gives it the edge. It has also been given Floating Island 22.35 cm (8.8'') Touchscreen Infotainment System with High-Resolution Display, which displays all info clearly but could have been improved, but along with 9 JBL Speakers (4 speakers + 4 tweeters + 1 subwoofer, with amplifier) really gives the feel.

It's not just looks and style, safety has also been taken care off with 4-star rating. 6 Airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Front Fog Lamps with Cornering Function. Along with high strength, steel to make the body.

Specification

Engine

Max Power:	kW@r/min  103 kW(140 PS)@3750
Max Torque:	Nm@r/min350 Nm@1750-2500
Type	Kryotec 2.0 L Turbocharged Engine
Fuel, Emission norm	Diesel BS IV
Capacity, cylinders	1956 cc, In-line 4-cylinders
Transmission	Type6-Speed Manual

Performance

When it comes to performance, it has got Fiat engine same as what you get in the jeep compass but, it has been detuned to produce only 140 bhp. It might sound like the performance would have been degraded but not a lot compared to the jeep compass. It has enough torque and power to pull its own weight and cruise comfortably.

The best this about this car is its gearbox. It is so smooth and effortless that you will enjoy shifting gear, and the transition is smooth. Next, come to the suspension set up, it has been set up in a way that, all the road types can be handled with ease and comfort and it can even handle the off-roading. The chassis as it has been borrowed from the Land Rover looks fantastic and a smart move by Tata. It has also got the traction control system from the Land Rover which has been designed for the harrier.

But one thing this car needed the most was a 4X4 drive and, not an FWD (front wheel drive). What's the use of having a land rover chassis and off-road system if you don't have 4 wheel drive system. Still, it's not like it cannot do off-roading with the ground clearance and torque it has and with the system that has been developed it can do it. I can't say whether it will do it with ease or not but, it is not disappointing by the features and safety it provides.

Price: 12.99 - 17.99 Lakh (INR ex-showroom price)

Final verdict:

Looks and design: 7/10

Specs & features: 8/10

Dynamics & performance: 7/10

Safety & quality: 9/10

This car is for those who want value for money and a big premium Car, and who are not much into power and on-road performance.

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