Tata Harrier EV Review - The 313hp All-Electric Tata SUV | First Drive | Autocar India

Tata has finally launched the electric Harrier, and it’s quite a package. We’ve seen it go from concept to production, and even had a peek at its off-road skills. But the big question is, how does it handle everyday driving? Let's find out.

First Impressions and Performance

The Harrier EV boasts a dual-motor setup. Up front, there's a 158hp induction motor, while the rear gets a more powerful 238hp synchronous motor. Don't add those figures up, though; the total system power is capped at 313hp. This is because the battery can't quite support both motors at their maximum output simultaneously. Tata claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds, and our tests clocked it at 6.67 seconds. While the acceleration is brisk, the brakes could offer a bit more feel and stopping power.

In the four-wheel-drive version, the rear motor does most of the work during normal cruising. When you need extra oomph, like for an overtake, the front motor kicks in to provide a smoother, more balanced acceleration, preventing wheelspin. The motors themselves are impressively quiet, contributing to a refined driving experience.

Battery, Range, and Charging

The four-wheel-drive model comes with a 75kWh battery. Tata claims a MIDC cycle range of 622km, but they also estimate a real-world range of around 490km for 75% of users, which is more than enough for daily use. During our testing, we managed to get a solid 436km. Charging is also quite speedy; a 120kW DC fast charger can take the battery from 20% to 80% in about 25 minutes.

Driving Modes and Handling

The Harrier EV offers three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, plus a Boost mode for quick bursts of acceleration. The calibration across these modes is spot-on. Even in city traffic, the car feels comfortable. Sport mode doesn't make the throttle overly sensitive, which is a good thing for a family SUV. While it’s not the lightest vehicle, the steering feels well-weighted, requiring a bit of effort in tight spots, which many drivers will appreciate.

The ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) worked well during our drive, including low-speed auto-braking. Tata has redesigned the rear suspension for the EV, opting for an all-independent setup. This results in a remarkably comfortable ride, especially over rough roads. Tata calls it 'ultra-glide suspension,' and it lives up to the name, smoothing out bumps and imperfections. While sharp potholes are noticeable, most other road surfaces are handled with ease. The suspension is also compliant on trails, and the car offers various traction modes for off-road adventures.

Handling is also a strong point. Body roll is well-controlled even during spirited cornering. The only minor criticism is a slight floatiness at the rear on straight, undulating roads, which might be less noticeable when the car is fully loaded.

Interior Comfort and Features

Ride quality in the rear seats is excellent, soaking up road imperfections. However, similar to the front, gentle undulations can cause a slight heave at the back. The rear cabin is well-equipped with a phone tray, two 65W USB-C chargers, and handy sun blinds. There’s also a flip-down armrest with cup holders. A nice touch is the extended headrest wings, perfect for napping.

Seating posture is good, with a flat floor and decent headroom. The EV architecture means a more natural seating position, avoiding the 'knees-up' feel. Legroom is generous, and there's even a 'boss mode' allowing rear passengers to adjust the front seat for even more space.

Inside, you get powered and cooled front seats with memory for the driver, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and a crisp Samsung OLED touchscreen. The interior rear-view mirror displays a smooth camera feed, though the 360° cameras can be a bit jerky. Dual-zone climate control is present, but some touch controls aren't the most intuitive. And of course, there’s the popular panoramic sunroof.

Exterior Design and Practicality

Externally, the Harrier EV looks much like its ICE sibling, with subtle changes. The grille area is sealed off, but Tata has cleverly retained grooves to give it an intake look. The DRLs extend across the front, connecting to the light bar, with the main headlamps positioned lower down. The underside is all-new, featuring Tata's 'TIDAL' architecture, which allows for neat packaging of the motors and battery. There’s even a small 17kg frunk up front, perfect for charging cables.

The rear is familiar, but a camera on the shark fin antenna feeds the interior mirror. The boot space is rated at 502 litres (up to the roof), which is slightly less than the diesel Harrier due to the raised floor accommodating the rear motor. However, Tata has thankfully retained a space-saver spare wheel.

Key Takeaways

• Impressive Power: 313hp provides strong, smooth acceleration.
• Comfortable Ride: The independent rear suspension excels over rough roads.
• Good Range: Expect around 436km in real-world conditions.
• Fast Charging: 20-80% in about 25 minutes on a 120kW charger.
• Refined Driving: Quiet motors and well-calibrated modes.
• Spacious Interior: Good legroom and headroom, especially in the rear.
• All-Wheel Drive Option: A unique offering in its segment.
• Attractive Pricing: Competitively priced against rivals.

Conclusion

The electric Harrier strikes a great balance. While it might not have the outright 'wow' factor of some rivals, it looks smart, offers plenty of power delivered smoothly, and boasts superb ride quality over bad roads. The handling is good, and the feature list is competitive. With prices ranging from 21.5 to 29 lakh rupees, it's a compelling option, especially with the availability of all-wheel drive, making it a strong contender against rivals like the Mahindra XUV900.