Tata Harrier EV Review And Range Rest: Worth The Wait?

We finally drove the Harrier and it was a long wait after having had a short taste during its previous off-road event. However, this time we spent half a day driving the car across various conditions and of course taking it across the beaten path too. A lot rests on the Harrier EV's shoulders being a flagship electric SUV which is loaded with technology plus the AWD factor. We tested the top-end QWD variant and this is the first time after the Hexa that Tata is going AWD. Hence, it is a significant car but has it lived up to the hype? Let's see. 

Harrier EV styling review

However, before driving off, let's talk about looks and here, the Harrier EV looks purposeful while being similar to a Harrier of course with minimal changes to the EV version. We feel a bigger differentiation could have been done but in this grey colour, the Harrier EV sure does have loads of presence with the closed off grille, different alloys (19-inch on our top-end version) and some EV specific touches. There is the Stealth edition which further looks more menacing with an all black look but overall, the Harrier EV looks mean and has its own appeal while having good paint finish to a tough build quality.

Harrier EV interior review

Spet inside and the interior isn't the usual colour spec ICE harrier but instead it has the lighter shade of the Tata EVs with black/blue and grey being used. There is also a different pattern on the dash and quality is as you would expect from a Rs 30 lakh car while we noticed fit/finish has been improved from ICE Harrier cars. The design is the same but there is a massive 14.53-ich touchscreen which is a QLED display while the centre console comes with a round mode selector which is too big in our opinion and a gear selector. Storage could have been better at the centre but at least it has cup holder space.

The door pockets are big and the cabin feels airy but some ergonomic issues like on the standard ICE Harrier remain including the slightly cramped driver footwell plus the centre console brushing against the driver's knee. The digital cluster is also clear to read while the main screen is the highlight with its quality/display and no lag as seen with our time with the car.

The screen holds various apps/menus and what not which is slightly over welcoming but you get used to it and everything is neatly detailed while there are physical buttons actually too. Space is ample and the seats are comfortable too while the rear seat has excellent headroom/legroom along with a powered boss mode from the Safari. There is a flat floor which means three can sit at the back but there is no middle headrest which should have been given. Boot space is huge (502l) and there is a frunk as well with 67l which can be handy. We will have a seperate technology review testing all the features.

Harrier EV Drive review

The 75kwh battery pack with the dual motor version produces 313hp combined while the Harrier EV is primarily RWD unlike the ICE Harrier with the main 238hp motor. Start off and there is hardly any road noise with excellent insulation levels. The acceleration is immediately quick but linear in the standard mode while a small touch of the accelerator will make it go forward with the level of punch not seen earlier. The power on offer is fast and addictive wih 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds claimed but we did it below 6 seconds! It is properly quick and the dual motor comes in handy here.

While putting your foot down brings some wheelspin, it is mostly controlled well and it pits all of the power to good use. Grip is excellent and handling is surprisingly agile for something so big. The steering is also better than the ICE Harrier and it feels much less heavy with more keen handling. Another big change is the multi link rear suspension with FSD dampers which transform the ride plus the composure. Sure, the big 19-inch wheels bring in a sharper edge when going over speed breakers or potholes, the ride overall is compliant and it feels controlled at high speeds while not being loose. It is a heavy car, the Harrier EV but masks its weight well.

Another plus point is the fantastic off-road ability. With more than 200mm GC and around 600mm water wading, the Harrier EV can do some serious stuff competing with old-school off-roaders. The modes work well and AWD unlocks the capabilities of the Harrier EV and across rough terrain we did not see the underside touching even once. You can take this EV anywhere. Regen is also strong but there is no one pedal mode. 

How much range did we get?

The RWD version is more efficient at 627km but the QWD isn't far behind at 622km while the real world is hovering around 500km. In our tests, we found out that the range is sensitive to your driving style and we got around 430km. Frugal driving will give more.

Is it worth a buy?

The AWD version is clearly dynamically a big leap forward for Tata.ev especially in terms of the driving experience, off-road ability and the stunning performance. Add in the tech, good space and comfort levels, the Harrier EV seems to be a value buy while being a lot more desirable than its ICE siblings. Compared to rivals, the dual motors hold the edge and for that alone, the Harrier EV has been worth the wait! 

Also Read : Maruti Suzuki To Launch A New SUV On This Date

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