Tata Harrier EV: A Stylish Electric SUV For The Road Ahead In India Tata Motors has been significantly consolidating its position in India’s electric vehicle ecosystem and the Harrier EV is a giant stride in this direction.
Derived from the popular Harrier SUV, this electric iteration has been claimed to offer futuristic tech along with rugged capability, and daily practicality.
But does it succeed on all counts, or are there compromises buyers will need to make?
Design That Stands Out
On visual appeal alone, the Tata Harrier EV will have you look its way.
It retains the Harrier’s muscular stance and personality but features distinctive EV touches such as a closed grille, a full-width LED light bar and aero-optimised alloy wheels.
The design evokes the future while it feels familiar — just what those moving into an EV from a conventional SUV would want.
The Harrier EV is around the same size as the diesel version, so it has a big road presence.
The high-mounted bonnet, flared arches and bold shoulder line all add to the strong styling, which looks just as comfortable on city streets as on tough terrain.
Powertrain and Range
Beneath the skin, the Harrier EV rides on Tata’s bespoke EV architecture.
It comes with choice of two different batteries, the larger of which promises a real world range of approximately 500 km on a single charge.
That’s plenty for most people’s weekly commutes, even some weekend getaways, and without range anxiety.
Maxus Harrier EV: The Harrier EV has dual motor option in the top end trims and hence an AWD car, which is good enough for mild off road and slushy conditions.
Acceleration is quick, thanks to immediate torque delivery, which you find in many electric cars, and passing on the highway is smooth and easy.
Fast charging is also a highlight
The Harrier EV can charge from 20% to 80% in less than 30 minutes through a compatible DC fast charger, providing more convenience on those long drives.
Interior and Features
Climb in and the Harrier EV’s interior will welcome you with a contemporary mix of technology and comfort.
The dashboard is dominated by a large digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system.
A panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, connected car tech and a premium sound system make the cut in higher trims.
Room in cabins is still generous – not at all bad for five adults.
With the battery components below, the boot is somewhat compromised, but still quite serviceable for all but larger family tasks.
The company has also kept its eye on the safety aspect with multi airbags, electronic stability control and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) featuring in the top-spec variants.
Pros
Good range: Real-world range of 500-km means less charging and range anxiety on long road trips.
Strong performance: The electric motors provide instant torque, and that makes for spritely acceleration and an effortlessly silky drive.
Premium features: The Harrier EV comes with a host of features.
Rugged charm: It still looks the part of the rough-and-tumble SUV that the diesel Harrier was, with some electric power thrown in for added measure.
Fast charging technology: DC fast charging can reduce a large amount of charging time on the move.
Cons
High price: The Harrier EV’s upmarket positioning sees it priced considerably higher than the ICE Harrier and some competitors.
Charging network continues to grow: Range is strong, but India’s public fast-charging network continues to grow, with a greater presence in metro cities.
Weight makes a difference to ride: The extra mass of battery means the Harrier EV feels weightier, robbing some agility on twisty roads for instance.
Software complexity: Because of all the tech, you could encounter occasional software headaches, especially on early production models.
Boot space loss: A little bit of floor area is taken up by the battery pack and positioning of the electric drivetrain.
Tata Harrier EV: Final Word
The Tata Harrier EV is a confident stride into the future of Indian mobility.
It marries the ruggedness of an SUV we already know with the benefits of electric power.
It does come at a price and may take time to adjust to the current charging scenario in India but is a solid proposition if you are planning to switch to electric minus the sedan-like feel in a regular SUV.
And for those who are ready to lead an EV lifestyle with a pinch of adventure, the Harrier EV offers a great argument.