Tata seems to have thrown everything it has in its feature bin into the Tata Harrier EV, in a bid to set the benchmark in its segment. The top-spec Tata Harrier EV QWD features a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, making it the first electric vehicle in its price segment to offer 4×4 go-anywhere capability. The top-spec Tata Harrier EV QWD “Empowered” SUV range starts at Rs 28.99 lakh ex-showroom, going up to Rs 30.23 lakh ex-showroom for added customisations. It directly rivals the popular Mahindra XEV 9e in price and target audience.
My colleague and I were recently invited to drive the Tata Harrier EV, spending a day with it both on-road and off-road. Long story short, it not only met my expectations but also surprised me with a few things it has to offer. Quick specs: The Tata Harrier EV QWD comes with two motors – an induction motor on the front axle putting out 158 PS of power and a permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle putting out 238 PS of power (this is also the primary motor on the two-wheel drive variants). Total combined power output is 313 PS, and total available torque is 502 Nm. It comes with a 75 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 622 km (ARAI-tested figures). The lower variants come with a 65 kWh battery, offering almost identical claimed range figures.
In terms of looks, the Harrier EV is very similar to the internal-combustion engine (ICE) variants, except for a closed-off grille, different bumper and alloy wheel design. The “top hat” remains the same, but the underpinnings are different, utilising an EV architecture to accommodate the battery pack in the floor and all-wheel independent suspension. The ICE variant gets a non-independent twist-beam rear suspension.
Tata Harrier EV Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive setup
- Comfortable independent suspension system
- Has all the comfort features and more
Cons
- Limited boot capacity (405 litres) because of the high boot floor
- Unsure about the longevity of electronics, would wait for long-term review
Also read: Don’t buy the Tata Harrier EV until you read the top 5 pros and cons
Tata Harrier EV Features
As technology advances, cars and SUVs have become increasingly loaded with features. Some features are now expected in top-spec variants of vehicles, such as a panoramic sunroof, concert-hall effect sound systems, LED lighting, Level 2 ADAS, seven airbags, electric tailgates, dual-zone climate control, and a central touchscreen for all functions. The Tata Harrier EV has all that and more. Some notable segment-first features include a digital rear-view mirror (which doubles up as a front and rear dash cam), Boss-mode ventilated electric seats (where the passenger seat can be adjusted by the rear-seat passenger as well), and remote parking features, including a memory function, where the car can trace a reverse path out of a parking spot, unassisted, up to 50 metres. One can also park the car in a selected parking spot after stepping out of the vehicle and operating it from the key fob.
Being an all-wheel drive vehicle, Tata has thrown in plenty of off-road tech. The Harrier EV, despite running on low-rolling-resistance Goodyear electric drive tyres, performs well off-road in a silent and precise manner. It gets modes for sand, snow, rocks, mud and ruts. It also features a crawl mode for proper off-road credentials. When you take it on the road, it features city, eco and sport modes, as well as a boost mode for quick acceleration. It even gets a “drift mode” hidden in the central menu, for when you want to have a bit of fun exploiting the rear-wheel setup only.
The central 14.5-inch infotainment screen has plenty to offer. There’s a 360-degree surround camera, which can be switched into a 540-degree virtual camera setup with a transparent mode that shows you the wheel positions of the SUV, particularly useful when driving off-road. The system also features a UPI-based payment option to pay for charging and tolls directly through the car’s infotainment system. Blind spot cameras can be displayed on either the central screen or the driver’s information display.
Driving the Tata Harrier EV: On-road and Off-road
The Tata Harrier EV QWD feels very familiar to drive, as its cockpit layout is similar to that of the ICE Harrier. The accelerator pedal has a nicely calibrated feel to it and provides very linear acceleration. Mind you, the Harrier EV is quick. It can do 0-100 kmph in a claimed 6.3 seconds, and although I didn’t test that, it did feel confidence-inspiring to point and shoot when overtaking. City mode is the default mode. I set out with 98% state of charge (SOC) and an indicated 539 km of range. I finished the drive with about 68% SOC remaining, giving me an indicated range of 430 Km. Of course, a lot of time was spent stationary with the AC running, while taking pictures and videos.
I drove the Harrier EV through a mix of highway, city and off-road conditions. This included some slushy mud and grassy tracks, as well as getting lost in some narrow village streets for a bit. Road noise is nicely contained in the Harrier EV. One does not hear the motor or the AC compressor. There is a low-speed pedestrian warning hum below 20 kmph, but otherwise it’s silent.
The suspension is commendable, with the Harrier EV nicely damping undulations and rough patches on the road. Off-road, the 205 mm ground clearance is more than adequate, and the flat underside ensures it confidently handles broken terrain with ease. On the outskirts of Gurugram, we took it into a few jungle trails, which the recent rains had turned into sludge. The Harrier EV confidently handled the slush with no fuss whatsoever, the traction seamlessly switching between front and rear axles.
Body roll is minimal, given the low centre of gravity and the heavy battery pack under the floor. So much so, it handles far better than the ICE variant of the Harrier, despite being nearly 600 Kg heavier. The Harrier EV runs on low-rolling resistance tyres, but despite this, it managed the off-road terrain fairly well. Off-road enthusiasts can consider all-terrain tyres, but I suspect that would heavily compromise overall range.
I even drove it over a customised off-road track that Tata had set up with sand, ice, slush and rocks to showcase the various modes, but that was just too easy for the vehicle. It even handled a 34-degree gradient climb and descent with no fuss.
I also briefly sampled the rear seat of the Harrier EV. The fully flat floor allows three people to sit side by side easily. Headroom is adequate, while legroom for average-sized adults is decent. It features 65-watt fast charging Type-C ports, sunblinds, and rear AC vents. The winged headrests are comfortable for a quick nap, too.
Also read: Tata Harrier EV vs Diesel: Go faster or drive farther?
My opinion on the Tata Harrier EV QWD
The Tata Harrier EV QWD sets new benchmarks in the segment, which the Mahindra XUV 9e once held. Being the only all-wheel drive vehicle at the same price point, it makes a compelling case for itself. It also marks the return of Tata to four-wheel drive vehicles after the previous generation Tata Safari and Tata Hexa. Familiarity with the Harrier’s “top hat” also means that buyers won’t have a sharp learning curve with the vehicle. Given its extensive feature list, buyers won’t feel shortchanged at that price point, especially when comparing it to offerings from global brands like Tesla or BYD. On initial impressions, the Harrier EV is right up there with the best, but one needs to wait for long-term owner reviews, given that the electronics are all-new and have not been thoroughly tested yet.
