Tata Harrier Smart TGDI

Buying a new car in India is a big decision. It involves carefully weighing your budget, ensuring the safety of your loved ones, understanding monthly maintenance costs, getting the latest features, and trusting the company service network. You want a vehicle that offers a complete package without compromise. If you are in the market for a robust, feature-packed, and safe SUV, then the new Tata Harrier, especially with its exciting Smart TGDI petrol engine option, deserves your full attention. Let's dive deep into what makes this SUV a strong contender for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The biggest news for the Harrier is the introduction of a new powerful petrol engine. The Tata Harrier Smart TGDI variant is powered by:

• Engine Type: 1.5-litre Smart TGDI Petrol Engine
• Max Power: Expected around 170 PS (horsepower)
• Max Torque: Expected around 280 Nm
• This new turbocharged direct injection (TGDI) engine promises strong performance, better fuel efficiency, and a refined driving experience, making the Harrier a more versatile choice for a wider range of buyers.

Design Overview

Exterior Design

The Tata Harrier boasts an impactful and modern design that truly stands out. It carries forward its commanding road presence with key updates that make it even more appealing:

• Bold Front: Features a redesigned grille, sleek connected LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps), and vertically stacked LED projector headlamps.
• SUV Stance: Muscular lines, prominent wheel arches, and a high bonnet give it a dominant and purposeful look.
• Rear Styling: Connected LED tail lamps are a standout feature, adding a premium touch and futuristic appeal.

Interior Design

Step inside the Harrier, and you are greeted with a spacious and premium cabin designed for comfort and convenience:

• Premium Feel: High-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and thoughtful design elements create an upmarket ambiance.
• Ergonomic Layout: The dashboard is well-laid out with easy-to-reach controls.
• Comfortable Seating: Plush seats offer excellent support for long journeys, and there's ample space for five occupants.

Key Features

While the "Smart" variant might focus on core essentials, the Harrier lineup offers a host of modern features. Here are some notable ones you can find in the Harrier range:

• Large Touchscreen Infotainment System (e.g., 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch depending on variant)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Panoramic Sunroof (available in higher variants)
• 360-degree Surround View Camera
• Wireless Phone Charging
• Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Connected Car Technology (iRA)
• Ventilated Seats (front, sometimes rear depending on variant)
• Powered Driver Seat with Memory Function
• Digital Instrument Cluster

Ground Clearance

The Tata Harrier offers a healthy ground clearance, making it suitable for varying Indian road conditions.

• Ground Clearance: Approximately 205 mm

Boot Space

For families and long trips, boot space is crucial. The Harrier delivers on this front.

• Boot Space: Approximately 445 litres

Dimensions

The Harrier is a substantial SUV, contributing to its road presence and interior space.

• Length: Approximately 4605 mm
• Width: Approximately 1913 mm
• Height: Approximately 1718 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Harrier offers choices to suit different driving preferences:

• Petrol: 1.5-litre Smart TGDI engine (Manual and Automatic Transmission options expected)
• Diesel: 2.0-litre Kryotec Diesel engine (170 PS power, 350 Nm torque) with 6-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic Transmission options.

Safety Features

Safety is a cornerstone of Tata Motors, and the Harrier is packed with advanced safety features:

• Up to 7 Airbags
• ABS with EBD (Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution)
• ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
• Hill Hold Control
• Hill Descent Control
• Traction Control
• Rear Parking Sensors and Camera
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection (in higher variants).

NCAP Rating

The Tata Harrier has set new benchmarks in safety, receiving top ratings from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP.

This stellar safety performance makes the Harrier one of the safest SUVs on Indian roads.

Rivals of Tata Harrier Smart TGDI

The Tata Harrier competes in a highly competitive segment against strong players:

• MG Hector
• Mahindra XUV700
• Hyundai Creta (top variants)
• Kia Seltos (top variants)
• Jeep Compass
• Volkswagen Taigun/Skoda Kushaq (larger petrol engine options)

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros

• Powerful New Petrol Engine: The Smart TGDI offers excellent performance and refinement, appealing to petrol enthusiasts.
• Class-Leading Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP ratings provide immense peace of mind.
• Commanding Road Presence: Its bold design ensures it stands out on the road.
• Spacious and Premium Cabin: Offers great comfort for all occupants with quality materials.
• Comfortable Ride Quality: Handles bad roads well, offering a pliant and comfortable ride.
• Feature-Rich (Higher Variants): Offers a comprehensive list of modern features, including ADAS, in its top trims.
• Robust Build Quality: Feels solidly built and durable.

Cons

• City Maneuverability: Its large size can be a bit challenging in very tight city traffic and parking spots.
• Petrol Fuel Efficiency: While improved, a powerful petrol engine might still offer lower mileage compared to its diesel counterpart, especially for aggressive drivers.
• Entry-Level Features: The "Smart" variant, while offering the new engine, might miss out on some premium features found in higher trims.
• No AWD/4x4 Option: Lacks an all-wheel drive or 4x4 option for serious off-roading.

Conclusion

The new Tata Harrier Smart TGDI is a significant update to an already capable SUV. With the addition of a powerful and refined petrol engine, it broadens its appeal to a wider audience, especially those who prefer petrol over diesel. It continues to excel in critical areas like safety, road presence, and cabin comfort. While the "Smart" trim offers a strong entry point to this new engine, exploring its higher variants will unlock a host of cutting-edge features.

If you are looking for an SUV that offers a perfect blend of power, premium feel, and uncompromising safety for your family, the Tata Harrier Smart TGDI is undoubtedly a top contender. It's a "Made in India" product that competes confidently with the best in its class. We recommend taking it for a thorough test drive to experience its capabilities firsthand and see if it aligns with your specific needs and preferences. Happy car buying!