The Tata Harrier Dark Edition looks amazing and is undoubtedly one of the most popular SUVs on Indian roads. But is it the absolute best in its segment, or does it have hidden problems that dealers do not tell you? Today, we are going to look at the complete review of this car based on real driving experience.
In this post, we will break down the top 5 good things, the top 5 bad things, and finally tell you exactly who should buy the Tata Harrier.
Table of Contents
- 1. Top 5 Cons (Bad Things About Harrier)
- 2. Top 5 Pros (Good Things About Harrier)
- 3. Who Should Actually Buy It? & Alternatives
- 4. Detailed Summary Table
1. Top 5 Cons (Bad Things About Harrier)
1. Not a Real SUV (No 4x4)
The biggest issue with the Harrier is that it does not offer a four-wheel drive (4x4) option. A true SUV needs 4x4, but the Harrier only gives you front-wheel drive. Rivals like the Mahindra Scorpio N and XUV700 offer 4x4 options. Tata gives you terrain modes for soft roading, but it is not a true replacement for a real 4x4 system.
2. Bad Cabin Ergonomics
The design of the center console is slightly flawed because the driver's left knee easily hits it. Also, when you use the terrain mode dial, your hand might hit the gear lever. The wireless charger is hard to reach, the touch controls on the dashboard do not work perfectly all the time, and the horn pad is way too sensitive.
3. Highly Expensive
The Harrier is a very expensive car. The price range starts at Rs 18.75 lakhs and goes up to Rs 32 lakhs for the top Dark Edition on-road in Mumbai. This makes it much more expensive than the Scorpio N and XUV700. Remember, the Harrier only has 5 seats while its rivals offer 7 seats at a similar or lower price.
4. No Petrol Engine Option
Unlike its rivals, the Harrier only comes with a diesel engine. There is absolutely no petrol engine option available. This is a massive problem for people living in the NCR region where diesel cars face strict bans and a shorter 10-year lifespan rule.
5. Quality and Reliability Issues
For a car that costs Rs 32 lakhs, the fit, finish, and electronic quality need to be much better. The infotainment screen is a fingerprint magnet and glitches sometimes. The AC system can have a mind of its own, increasing fan speed automatically. Tata really needs to improve their quality control and service center experience.
2. Top 5 Pros (Good Things About Harrier)
1. Amazing Muscular Design
There is no denying that the Harrier is a beautiful, road-dominating car. The Dark Edition looks super aggressive with completely black paint, black interiors, and massive 19-inch alloy wheels. The illuminated Tata logo on the steering wheel looks incredibly cool at night.
2. Loaded With Modern Features
The Harrier is now one of the most feature-loaded cars in its segment. It comes with a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10-speaker JBL sound system is awesome, and the 360-degree camera quality is crystal clear.
3. High Comfort Levels
This car is extremely comfortable for long highway journeys. The front seats are powered and come with a ventilation feature to keep you cool during summers. The rear seat is very spacious with great legroom, and the dual-zone climate control chills the cabin very fast.
4. Fun Driving Experience
The 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel engine produces 170 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. While there is some turbo lag in city traffic, the mid-range punch on the highway is exceptionally strong. It feels planted at high speeds, and the high ground clearance means you do not have to slow down for bad roads.
5. 5-Star Safety Rating
Tata is known for building solid cars, and the Harrier is no different. It has scored a full 5-star safety rating in both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP crash tests. It comes with 6 airbags as standard and features advanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) - like auto emergency braking and blind-spot warning - to keep your family safe.
3. Who Should Actually Buy It? & Alternatives
Every car is not made for everyone. Here is a quick guide to help you decide if the Harrier is meant for you:
- Buy the Harrier if: You want a muscular SUV with massive road presence, you mostly drive on highways, you love a feature-rich premium cabin, and passenger safety is your top priority.
- Avoid the Harrier if: You need 7 seats for a big family, you want to do serious off-roading (needs 4x4), or you live in Delhi/NCR and specifically need a petrol engine.
Top Competitors to Consider:
- Mahindra Scorpio N: Better off-roading, real 4x4, and cheaper.
- Mahindra XUV700: More refined engines, 7 seats, and offers petrol options.
- MG Hector: Bigger cabin feel, huge screens, and cheaper top-end models.
4. Detailed Summary Table
Here is a quick breakdown of the car details based on the review so you can easily understand its value.
| Feature / Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-Liter Kryotec Diesel (No Petrol Option) |
| Power & Torque | 170 HP and 350 Nm |
| Boot Space | Very spacious, perfect for long family trips |
| Price (On-Road Mumbai) | Rs 18.75 Lakhs - Rs 32 Lakhs |
| Safety Rating | 5 Stars (Global NCAP & Bharat NCAP) + Level 2 ADAS |
| Top Features | Ventilated Seats, 360 Camera, JBL Audio, Panoramic Sunroof |
| Biggest Weaknesses | High price, no 4x4, and minor touch screen/software glitches |
Final Verdict
The Tata Harrier is an emotion. It is not a perfect car, and it certainly isn't a true off-road SUV. However, if Tata Motors manages to completely sort out the minor electronic glitches and interior quality inconsistencies, this will undoubtedly become the absolute best car to buy in the 5-seater premium SUV segment.
Over to You: If you have a budget of around Rs 30 Lakhs, will you buy the Tata Harrier Dark Edition or go for its 7-seater rivals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!