Tata Harrier EV: Pros And Cons Of Tata’s Flagship Electric SUV

The Tata Harrier has always had a strong presence with its bold design and capable diesel performance. Now, with the Harrier EV, the brand isn’t just offering its flagship electric SUV,  it is also adding a touch of off-road prowess. It delivers a premium package spread across three broad trims and two battery pack options. 

While it gets a lot right, it is not without its drawbacks. Let’s break down where the Tata Harrier EV shines and where it could have done better.

Tata Harrier EV: Design

The Harrier EV sticks to a familiar formula with subtle EV-specific touches. There are connected LED DRLs with welcome and goodbye animations and sequential turn indicators, along with a closed-off grille. The new 19-inch alloy wheels, available in top trims, feature aero-friendly elements. Matte black and Nainital Nocturne shades give the SUV a menacing look that enhances its appeal.

On the downside, the front gets a modern update, the side and rear profiles have not been changed much. Also, variant-specific colour options may limit personalisation.

Tata Harrier EV: Interior And Comfort

Overall, the cabin feels wide and layered, especially in the Empowered variant with its white-grey colour theme. Other variants offer darker colour schemes that are easier to maintain. The dashboard is clean and minimalistic, with a floating touchscreen and gloss-black climate controls. Quality levels are consistent, and there is good shoulder and headroom all around. Rear occupants get AC vents on the B-pillar, sunblinds, armrest with cupholders, and even winged headrests in the top-specced variant.

On the flip side, the raised floor, due to the battery pack, compromises under-thigh support at both ends. Taller passengers might also find headroom a bit tight in the front. Some switches and stalks feel basic for a car at this price point. Also, the top-spec variant should have been offered with more colour schemes, giving buyers more options to choose from. 

Tata Harrier EV: Features

Feature-wise, the Harrier EV is fully loaded. A 14.5-inch QLED touchscreen offers sharp visuals and hosts onboard OTT apps. It is paired with a 10-speaker JBL system with Dolby Atmos functionality. Other highlights include, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 8-way powered driver seat with memory function, 4-way powered co-driver seat with ‘boss mode’, e-IRVM with recording function, and panoramic sunroof with voice control.

Safety features include, seven airbags, 360-degree camera system, transparent view functionality giving visibility of terrains underneath the vehicle, along with ADAS with features such as auto park and reverse assist.

Where it falls short, is with the 10.25-inch digital driver's display that feels underwhelming next to the huge infotainment screen. Also, the e-IRVM’s execution causes some ghosting due to mixed reflections. A larger digital cluster would have tied the experience together better. Furthermore, some extra rear seat features such as wireless phone charging and a rear entertainment screen would have helped. 

Tata Harrier EV: Powertrain

Pros – Two battery pack choices are on offer: 65kWh and 75kWh, delivering claimed ranges of up to 627km. Real-world figures between 400-500km are achievable, making it practical for intercity use. You get rear-wheel drive in entry-level variants and all-wheel drive (QWD) in the higher-specced Empowered+. Despite its size, the Harrier EV does 0-100kmph in just 6.3 seconds. 

Cons – There's no 'Auto' mode for regenerative braking, something rivals like the BE6 and Carens EV offer.

Tata Harrier EV: Ride and Handling

Pros – Tata has absolutely nailed the suspension setup. The Harrier EV stays composed over broken roads and delivers a plush, quiet ride. Even at higher speeds, the cabin feels stable and settled. The independent suspension and frequency-dependent damping ensure minimal side-to-side movement, even on poor surfaces. City driving is easy too, with light steering and confident braking.

Cons – While the ride comfort is class-leading, the raised floor still affects seating posture on longer journeys. Otherwise, there’s not much to complain about.

Rivals

The Tata Harrier EV takes on the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and the Mahindra XEV 9e. It also serves as an alternative to other electric SUVs like the Hyundai Creta Electric and the upcoming Maruti e-Vitara. What sets the Harrier EV apart is how closely it sticks to the strengths of the diesel Harrier, another SUV you could consider as an alternative.

Is the Tata Harrier EV the Right Choice for You?

Those after a big, premium electric SUV with a strong feature set, and excellent ride comfort will find plenty to like in the Harrier EV. It makes a strong case over the diesel version not just in refinement but also in tech and usability. And it can also be considered a more worthy alternative over the XEV 9e, due to its off-roading capabilities. 

There are few aspects that affect its seating comfort, and also the boot space is tighter due to the spare wheel. However, these are small compromises in an otherwise well-rounded package. With access to home charging, the Harrier EV feels worth the premium, and might just be the Tata SUV you might be looking for.