Tata Harrier EV

Tata Motors’ popular Harrier is now electric too. The Harrier EV brings with it a silent and powerful drivetrain, mechanical changes and even new features. On the surface, these additions justify the additional asking  price quite comfortably. 

In fact, let’s start this review with a rather bold claim. The Harrier EV is not just the best version of the Harrier on sale, it’s simply the best Tata car produced till date. 

Having driven all the electric vehicles Tata Motors makes for thousands of kilometres, I was quite excited to see what the Harrier EV had to offer. I spent a few hours exploring and understanding Tata’s electric flagship. Here’s a detailed opinion of what’s right, and what’s not.

For electric vehicles, there are two schools of thought when it comes to design. The first chooses to rewrite the rule book and opt for outlandish designs that immediately grab attention and scream ‘I’m electric’. Classic examples of this include the Mahindra BEVs, and even Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6.

The second involves building on an existing product, and simply giving it tweaks to suit its electric nature. Tata chose this approach from day one, choosing to keep their EVs in-sync with their petrol/diesel-engined counterparts. In the Harrier EV’s case, this is a good thing. It’s a great place to start, as the design has plenty of presence, power and premium feel to begin with. However, we have listed a few design differences between the ICE and EV versions of the Harrier.

From the front, the Harrier EVs face is imposing. You’re likely to immediately give way if you spotted it in your rear view mirror. The full-width LED daytime running lights add a sense of width. You get welcome/goodbye animations here, and they double up as sequential turn indicators too. 

Tata has changed the design of the grille and front bumper. It has a ‘closed off’ look that most EVs have in interest of aerodynamics. The lower half of the bumper now features more upright elements in a metallic finish that looks classy. I particularly liked how the ADAS radar has been neatly integrated into the air dam.

The rest of the bumper remains identical, with a vertical pod housing powerful white LED projector headlamps. It also features cornering fog lamps. Here you will notice a functional vent that’s intended to clean up the air travelling into the wheel well as well help cool the brakes down. 

From the side, there’s not much that’s different. Keen eyed readers will be quick to spot the ‘.ev’ badging on the front door and the added side step. Interestingly, the Harrier’s signature chrome strip above the window line is blacked out in the EV. 

The Harrier EV’s purposeful stance is amplified by the 19-inch alloy wheels. These alloy wheels are available in the Fearless and Empowered versions, whereas the base-spec Adventure variants get 18-inch alloy wheels. These wheels too feature plastic aero flaps to help reduce drag, all in interest of efficiency.

Changes at the rear are minimal, consisting of just a reworked design for the bumper. The faux skid plate, finished in grey, is more prominent. I like the squat stance of the Harrier EV when viewed from the rear. The full-width LED tail lamps amplify the width of the SUV. Here too, you get sequential turn indicators and welcome/goodbye animations. 

While there’s no variant/persona badging anywhere on the vehicle, the tailgate has ‘Harrier.EV’ spelled out prominently. This badge is finished in black, which is a welcome relief from the blingy chrome. 

Tata Motors offers limited colour options with the Harrier EV. The Adventure and Fearless variants are available only in the Pristine White and Pure Grey colours. In the top-end Empowered variant, you additionally get a beautiful Nainital Nocturne shade, alongside Tata’s trademark Empowered Oxide. If you want a sinister looking SUV, Tata is also offering a matte black ’Stealth’ edition on the Empowered variant. If you’re interested to see how the Harrier EV looks in every shade, check out this report.

I prefer the Nainital Nocturne shade, which suits the car really well. Under different lighting conditions, it reflects back different shades of purple, red and dark grey, making it look very unique. Of course, with a design like the Harrier, it’s very hard to not like the ‘mafia’ look of the Stealth Edition.

On the inside, design changes are just as minimal. The cabin’s vibe feels most different in the Empowered variant that has a bespoke white-grey colour theme. However, in the Adventure and Fearless/Stealth variants that feature a tan-black and all-black colour palette respectively, it’s unlikely to feel any different. In fact, I much rather prefer the colour combinations available in the lower variant. They look just as premium, but will be far easier to keep clean in India’s dusty conditions. 

The dashboard is wide, and split into four layers. The Empowered variant features a white/grey coloured contrast panel on the dashboard, whereas other variants have a black-coloured panel. The slender central AC vents, trapezoidal side vents and the gloss black touch-sensitive panel for the climate control remain identical to the standard Harrier. The four-spoke Tata steering wheel with the backlit logo, and the floor console too are carried over unchanged. 

Visually, only two things appear immediately different: the larger touchscreen on the dashboard and the digital IRVM. We’ll discuss these in detail in the features section. 

In terms of quality, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The top half of the dashboard has a smooth leatherette-like feel, and the leather wrap used under the climate control panel is tasteful too. The graining and quality of plastic used for the lower half of the dashboard, door pads and floor console seem acceptable too. However, the power window switches, the headlamp/wiper stalks feel budget-grade. 

Fit and finish was consistent in the multiple test/display cars I experienced.

Front Seats

The floor of the Harrier EV is raised compared to the standard Harrier. Tata is providing side steps, but elders are more likely to need them. Do note that the side steps might brush against your shin when you’re getting down from the car. It’s easier to use the side steps when alighting. 

Because of the higher floor, the seating position is high by default. In terms of space, there’s no real issue with headroom or cabin width for average sized adults. The space in the footwell seems more than adequate too. However, if you’re taller than 6ft or wear a turban, you might feel you’re a little too close to the roof. Also, for my colleague who’s 6’5”, the raised floor meant that a portion of the centre console was pushing into his left knee; an issue not faced in much smaller cars or even the Harrier diesel. 

The seats are wide and accommodating of all types of frames. There’s ample support for the back, shoulders and lower back. However, underthigh support here could’ve been better. 

You can adjust the driver’s seat electrically using the 8-way powered function. There are three memory settings as well, which is helpful in case multiple drivers use the car. Paired with tilt-telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. 

The co-driver’s seat is 4-way power adjustable. At this price point, I’d have liked to see a 6-way adjustment here. There are additional buttons on the shoulder of this seat called ‘boss buttons’. This allows rear occupants or the driver to move the co-driver’s seat as required. 

Finally, there’s a central armrest on offer that’s placed at just the right height. This armrest also has a slide function, making it more convenient to use. However, at its furthermost position, it can knock over the cups placed in the cupholder. 

Rear Seats

For my 6ft tall frame, I have a fist-worth of kneeroom behind my driving position. I usually set the driver’s seat all the way down, and that compromises foot room at the rear. This isn’t an issue in the standard Harrier. 

There are no real issues in terms of headroom and cabin width. There’s plenty of shoulder room and the flat floor ensures three occupants will be quite comfortable here. That said, a central headrest is sorely missed. 

I really like the placement of the AC vents on the B-pillar. It actually helps in cooling the rear half of the car quickly.  Other amenities for rear seat occupants include a central armrest and sun shades. You also get winged headrests in the top-spec Empowered variant, which offers additional support for the head and neck. To make it easier for you to understand, we sat down people of different heights on the rear bench to know how spacious the Harrier EV is.

Storage and Practicality

The Harrier EV scores high on practicality. There are large bottle holders in all four doors. The floor console houses a small space for your phone (on the wireless charging pad), cupholders and more space inside the front armrest. The armrest storage also gets a cooling function. There’s a large glovebox too. 

Rear seat occupants can use the trays in the door pads to park their phones, there are seat back pockets and some more space behind the front armrest console that can be used to store small items. The rear armrest also has a couple of cupholders. 

Charging Options

Front occupants get a wireless charger, a USB type-A and a 45W USB type-C port. There’s a USB type-A, type-C and 12V socket tucked away inside the front armrest. 

Rear occupants get two USB type-C ports that can charge at 65W. This is enough to charge even laptops. 

Features

There’s practically every imaginable feature you’d want on the Harrier EV. There are also some amenities that the Harrier EV debuts for Tata Motors. However, these are the basic features: 

• Passive keyless entry

• Start/Stop button

• Automatic Headlamps

• Automatic Wipers

• Steering-mounted Audio Controls

• Dual-zone Climate Control

• 8-way Powered Driver’s Seat

• 4-way Powered Co-Driver’s Seat (with Boss Mode)

• Front Seat Ventilation

• Configurable Ambient Lighting

• Panoramic Sunroof (Voice Assisted)

• Voice Commands

Now, let’s focus on the highlights, beginning with the infotainment package. Tata has consistently delivered stellar packages, and the Harrier EV simply pushes the goalpost ahead. 

14.5-inch Touchscreen: This screen is the largest fitted to any Tata car ever. I like that the display is super thin, and the bezels are virtually non-existent. The entirety of the slab of screen you see is the display. This screen features a Samsung Neo QLED panel and you’ve got to experience it to feel the difference. The depth of colours, the fluidity in usage and the fast refresh rate make this screen as good as any handheld tablet. There’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that function as intended. 

The screen is also the command centre for practically anything you want to control. You get a host of on-board apps, including Amazon Prime and Jio HotStar that lets you view OTT content while charging. There’s Tata’s ‘Arcade.EV’ suite too that has more games and apps that will help you kill time if needed. 

In my time with the car, I did not face any lag, glitches, freezes or crashes with this screen. Everything functioned smoothly as intended. I hope owners continue to have a similarly fuss free experience. 

10-speaker JBL Black Audio System (with Dolby Atmos): While the total number of speakers is similar to the standard Harrier, the experience is anything but. The components are different and tuned better to deliver an even better sound output. With Dolby Atmos, surround sound gets unlocked giving you an immersive audio experience. You’d need music produced specifically in Dolby Atmos to fully explore this, which is available on streaming sites. In case you’re watching videos or movies, you’re sure to get a proper theatre-like experience. 

At its most neutral setting, the system delivers deep lows and crisp highs. You can obviously tailor this to your liking by either using the pre-set JBL modes, or use the custom equaliser setting. That said, we don’t think you’ll feel the need to. 

10.25-inch Digital Driver’s Display: Compared to the giant screen on the dashboard, this one looks tiny! It’s the same screen we’ve seen in the Punch EV, Nexon EV and Curvv EV with the same colour theme and graphics. In terms of functionality, there’s nothing to complain about. There are selectable views, you can view the feed of the side camera when you indicate here. There’s a whole host of data from your usual distance to empty and trip details, to ADAS to even navigation either via the on-board Mappls navigation app or Google Maps (via Android Auto) or Apple Maps (via Apple CarPlay). Tata could consider offering a larger 12.3-inch display to give the Harrier EV some novelty in this regard. 

e-IRVM: This feature is straight out of a Range Rover. It employs a camera mounted on the shark-fin antenna that relays a video feed to a screen that’s displayed on the mirror itself. If you want to use the mirror without the camera feed, you can simply switch off the video feed. While the idea is great, the execution could’ve been slightly better. Since the video feed does not cover the whole mirror, you still see reflections on the actual mirror surface causing a ghosting-like effect. 

Another issue is that you’re likely to think that the mirror itself is a touchscreen of sorts and the on-screen text can be tapped to access. However, there are 7 small capacitive buttons under the text that are to be used to navigate through the functions. 

This mirror also houses a front facing dash cam, and the camera in the mirror is constantly recording too. You can zoom the rear view, switch between front and rear views and even download clips recorded by the cameras. 

360° Camera: This setup offers great video quality. However, I felt the screen colour-corrected the video feed too much. The cameras are a boon for a car as large as the Harrier EV, making it easy to park and maneuver through tight spots. It features a ‘Transparent View’ mode too, that lets you see what’s underneath the vehicle as you drive. Pretty handy while going off-road. 

There are quite a few party tricks that the Harrier EV has too. This includes

• Auto-Park Assist: enables the Harrier EV to park itself in parallel, perpendicular or diagonal spots. You can also choose a custom spot on the touchscreen and the car manages acceleration, braking and turning all by itself. If you’re parking in a tight spot, you can also use the key to move the car forward or reverse. 

• Reverse Assist: remembers your steering inputs in the forward direction for upto 50 metres. Replicates them in reverse to help you back out of a tricky parking spot. This feature was popularised by BMWs — it’s good to see it in a Tata! 

• Transparent View: offers a view of whatever is underneath the car. Helpful while off-roading. 

• NFC Key: You can choose to lock/unlock/start the vehicle using a NFC keycard. This can also be synced to your iPhone, effectively turning the phone into the car key. You can also share this virtual key with other users. 

• UWB Key: This circular key is available in the Empowered model. It functions on ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology. The car recognises the key in proximity and simply unlocks/locks the vehicle as you move closer/away from the car. This ensures you don’t need to press buttons or even take the key out of your pocket.

Here’s the list of standard safety features of the Harrier EV:

• 6 Airbags 

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

• Hill Descent Control

• Hill Hold Control

• Traction Control

• Roll Over Mitigation

• Corner Stability Control

• Antilock Braking System (with Brake Assist)

• Vehicle Dynamic Control

• Electronic Brake Force Distribution

A knee airbag gets added from the Fearless variant onwards. 

There’s L2 ADAS on offer in the Empowered variants, with a host of functions. There’s auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a whole lot more. I’ve got to hand it to Tata for their effort in fine tuning the ADAS to react almost naturally to our chaotic driving conditions. The smoothness with which the ADAS intervenes is to be experienced. Whether it is gradually dropping speed when adaptive cruise control is engaged, or gently nudging you back to the centre of the lane — the ADAS is calibrated really well. 

The Harrier EV has been crash tested by Bharat NCAP (In-depth crash test report here). It received a full 5-star rating for adult occupant safety and child occupant safety. 

Tata Motors claims the Harrier EV has a boot space of 502-litres. Do note that this number is the capacity measured all the way up to the roof. 

The boot floor is raised since Tata has chosen to offer a space saver spare wheel. This limits the space available between the floor at the parcel tray. If you use cabin-sized trolley bags, you could possibly fit in 3-4 of those and have some space left over for a backpack or two. Using medium or large-sized suitcases will take up most of the boot. 

There’s 60:40 split functionality for added versatility. Folding the rear seat flat opens up 999-litres of boot space. 

You have more storage space in the frunk. The rear-wheel drive models have a 67-litre/35kg capacity, whereas the all-wheel drive models get a 35-litre/17kg space.

Tata Motors offers the Harrier EV with two battery pack options: 65kWh and 75kWh. The smaller battery pack is available with only rear-wheel drive, whereas the larger battery pack has the option of all-wheel drive (QWD in Tata talk) only on the top-spec Empowered+ variant. 

Here’s a quick look at the specs of the batteries and their charging times:

….and here’s a quick spec check of the motors: 

City Performance:

Despite the big performance numbers, the Harrier EV is supremely easy to drive. Tata has tuned the throttle to respond to minor inputs very well. There’s no sudden surge of power and you can very calmly drive about in the city. In fact, I’d say there’s no need to switch to City or Sport mode at all. I prefer the relaxed driving experience of the Eco mode. Even if you want to overtake some slow moving traffic, it’s done without any real effort. Even new drivers will have no issues adapting to the response of the Harrier EV. City mode sharpens up throttle response a little if you want a peppier drive feel. 

Highway Performance:

It’s astonishing that a large near 3-ton SUV accelerates to 100kmph in 6.3 seconds. You’d need to select Sport or Boost mode to pull this off, though. What is even more astonishing is that the Harrier EV masks its acceleration very well. While the acceleration is very strong, it’s delivered in a manner that never overwhelms you. It’s never scary and you always feel like you’re in absolute control. It will keep accelerating till it hits an indicated top speed of 180kmph+. 

Maintaining 100-120kmph is practically cakewalk for the Harrier EV. Overtakes, even at these speeds, are instantaneous. If you intend on using the Harrier EV as an inter-city commuter, you will have to practically make no changes to your current driving style. 

As far as real world range is concerned, you can safely expect the 65kWh battery pack to deliver around 400-420km of range. With the larger battery pack, the range is likely to be between 450-500km. 

Note: Brake Energy Regeneration 

There are four brake energy regeneration levels: Off, L1, L2 and L3. I found it best to stick to L2 or L3 inside the city based on the traffic. Even at its strongest setting, the regeneration kicks in smoothly. There’s none of that abrupt drop in speed that a few electric vehicles tend to do at max regen. 

One trick missed is that of an ‘Auto’ mode for regeneration. This is available in EVs such as the Hyundai Creta Electric, Kia Carens Clavis EV and even the Mahindra BE6 and XEV9e. This system links regeneration to the front-facing ADAS, automatically fine tuning the level of braking you get when you lift off the throttle. 

The absolute highlight of driving the Harrier EV is its ride quality. Over smooth roads, it’s expectedly super silent as it glides over the surface. What’s surprising is that it retains this composure even when roads disappear altogether. I drove the Harrier EV over some seriously damaged roads and was impressed by how well it kept shocks and sounds at bay. Inside the cabin, passenger movement is minimal. In fact, the faster you go over broken surfaces, the better the ride gets.  

On the highway, the Harrier EV remains rock steady. You can switch lanes at triple digit speeds confidently if needed. Even when going over successive expansion joints or surface levels changes, the cabin remains composed.  

We also expect severe side-to-side movement in EVs over really bad surfaces. The Harrier EV manages to keep that at bay too, ensuring passenger comfort. For Indian conditions, the Harrier EV’s suspension setup is a masterclass on how it’s supposed to be done. Tata has managed to extract the most out of independent front and rear suspension and the frequency dependent damping (FDD) to offer a ride quality that’s tailor-made for our conditions.  

The steering is light enough to let you navigate busy city streets easily. Parking doesn’t take much effort either. Even on the highway, the steering weighs up adequately.

You can choose between three broad variants of the Harrier EV: Adventure, Fearless+ and Empowered.

Harrier EV Adventure Variant

• This variant is available only with the smaller 65kWh battery pack. 

• Exterior highlights include connected LED DRLs, projector headlamps, connected tail lamps and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

• The cabin features a black-tan colour scheme and gets features such as leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, and cruise control. 

• The infotainment package includes two 10.25-inch displays and a 6-speaker audio system. 

• The safety package is comprehensive with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill hold and hill descent control and tyre pressure monitoring system. 

Harrier EV Adventure S Variant

• Adds a panoramic sunroof, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers and 60:40 split seats.

• Touchscreen size is larger at 12.3-inches. 

Harrier EV Fearless+ Variant

• Visual upgrades include 19-inch alloy wheels, cornering fog lamps, sequential turn indicators and welcome/goodbye animations for the front and rear. 

• Interior gets an all-black colour theme. Comfort is improved with front seat ventilation, rear comfort headrests and sunshades.

• Feature additions include a 6-way powered driver’s seat, 4-way powered co-driver’s seat, and dual-zone climate control

• Other notable upgrades include a 10-speaker JBL Black audio system, air purifier, wireless charger, and auto-dimming IRVM. 

• A knee airbag and 360° camera improve the safety package.  

Harrier EV Empowered Variant

• The main highlight is the large 14.5-inch touchscreen and Dolby Atmos sound system. 

• Level 2 ADAS is on offer with features such as auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist. 

• Other feature additions include: ‘boss mode’ buttons, powered tailgate, and ambient lighting. 

Harrier EV Empowered QWD Variant

• Boost Mode, Off-road Assist are added. 

CarDekho Recommends: 

• There’s not much you’d need from a large EV beyond the Adventure S variant. It offers practically everything you need and want. 

• The Fearless+ variant has acceptable feature additions for the added price. 

• Consider the Empowered variant only if you want ADAS and the better infotainment experience.

• For daily use, QWD is unlikely to be of any value. Consider only if you foresee driving in tricky conditions often, or if you want maximum performance.

There’s no real dealbreaker with the Harrier EV. It looks good, has ample space, and a strong feature package too. The highlights remain the stellar ride quality, and that real world range is likely to be between 400-500km depending on the battery pack. Given the price difference between the diesel and electric versions, I’d recommend the Harrier EV. The features in isolation justify the added price, but the smoothness and performance of the drivetrain simply seals the deal. If you can charge at home and reap cost benefits, the Harrier EV simply strengthens its value proposition further.