April 2022 - Tata Harrier Diesel Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Updated (April 1, 2022): This update of the Tata Harrier diesel variants explained article includes the details about the Kaziranga edition and the latest prices of the Tata Harrier.

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Tata Harrier Diesel?

The pros or advantages of Tata Harrier diesel are:

• Best-in-class ground clearance of 205mm
• While it's not the only diesel-automatic SUV in its class, it's the only one claiming to offer a respectable 14.6kmpl mileage
• Aggressive pricing for the base variant
• Gets features like multiple drive modes and terrain modes
• Automatic transmission is available in all variants except in XT and XE variants
• Choice of 3 unique interior themes — regular, dark and Kaziranga
• Choice of getting the fairly loaded XZ variant without the sunroof

The Tata Harrier diesel has the following shortcomings or problems:

• Overpriced XM and XT variants and stripped XE and XM variants; in fact, over the base XE variant, none of the higher trims justify the incremental cost with features
• No petrol engine option
• No 4WD option
• Multi-terrain modes in a front-wheel drive, monocoque car has questionable efficacy and usability
• Missing features like a 360-degree camera, head-up display, rear defogger, TPMS and ADAS
• Including the dark, dual-tone and Kaziranga, there are just too many variants, which could create a lot of confusion for a potential customer

What Is The Price Of Tata Harrier Diesel Variants?

The Tata Harrier is available in 5 main variants — XE, XM, XT, XZ and XZ Plus. all of these variants are available with a diesel-manual powertrain. In addition, the Harrier also gets variants like Dark, dual-tone and Kaziranga with exclusive cosmetic features. These are otherwise based on one of the main variants. The ex-showroom prices of the 2022 Tata Harrier diesel-manual range start at Rs. 14.53 lakh and go up to Rs. 20.47 lakh.

Except for the XE and XT variants, all other variants get the option of a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission as well. The automatic transmission is Rs. 1.30 lakh more expensive than similarly equipped manual transmission variants. Only the XZ Plus Dark automatic is a little more expensive and costs about Rs. 1.35 lakh more than the XZA Plus Dark manual. The Harrier automatic variants cost between Rs. 17.23 lakh and Rs. 21,81 lakh.

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Tata Harrier Diesel XE - Base Model Features & Review

The base XE variant of the Tata Harrier diesel costs Rs. 14.53 lakh (ex-showroom) and is only available with a manual transmission. The most notable features of the Harrier XE are:

• Halogen projector headlamps
• All power windows
• Dual-function DRLs
• 16-inch steel wheels
• Tilt and telescopic steering
• Front armrest

For the price and segment of the Harrier, the base variant is missing several must-have features like:

• Touchscreen music system
• Fog lamps
• Steering-mounted controls
• Power mirrors (must-have for a wide car
• Adjustable steering
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Auto AC
• Remote central locking

With so many features missing in the base XE variant of a car, we can’t recommend anyone to buy this variant. It’s even more disappointing to see that a car costing Rs. 14.53 lakh (ex-showroom) is missing these features.

Tata Harrier Diesel XE vs XM Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The XM variant costs Rs. 15.93 lakh and it’s Rs. 1.40 lakh more expensive than the base model. With the automatic, the XM costs Rs. 17.23 lakh (ex-showroom). For the additional cost, it adds the following notable features:

• 7-inch touchscreen
• Steering-mounted controls
• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Remote central locking
• Drive modes
• Follow me headlamps
• Rear washer wiper

While it offers some must-have and some good-to-have features, it still doesn't offer following features we expect from a Rs. 16.0 lakh SUV:

• Android Auto
• Apple Carplay
• Cruise control
• Alloy wheels
• Rear armrest
• Auto AC
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Rear camera
• Small sunroof
• Cruise control

Considering the Rs. 1.40 lakh price gap, the list of additional features is too short while also missing several features. So, we can’t recommend the XM variant either for Harrier manual as well as automatic buyers. This is also the most affordable Harrier variant with an automatic transmission. The XMA is Rs. 1.30 lakh more expensive than the XM diesel-manual powertrain. This price gap between the manual and automatic variants is fairly consistent across all variants of the Harrier and it’s a bit higher than the usual Rs. 1.0 lakh we have come to expect for TC, CVT and DCT automatics.

Tata Harrier Diesel XM vs XT & XT Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Harrier XT variant is next in line with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 15.93 lakh This variant is only available with a manual transmission and costs Rs. 1.29 lakh more than the XM manual. It adds the following notable features:

• Android Auto
• Apple Carplay
• 17-inch alloys
• Soft-touch dashboard
• Lumbar adjustment for driver seat
• Rear armrest with cup holders
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• Air purifier
• Power folding mirrors
• Auto AC
• Auto wipers
• Auto headlamps

It’s worth noting that this variant still doesn’t offer wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, LED or HID headlamps and tyre pressure monitoring. While the additional features of the Tata Harrier XT over the XE don’t justify the incremental jump, it offers features that warrant an upgrade from the XM for a decent ownership experience. You should compromise a little bit on the value for money front and at least buy the XT variant as the lower variants don’t have several must-have features while the XT has a balanced feature set.

If you want a sunroof in your car, then the XT Plus offers even better value for money and is worth buying over any of the lower variants. It only adds Rs. 50,000 to the ex-showroom cost and this jump is highly recommended over the XT variant for the value for money unless you want a car without a sunroof.

The XT Plus is our top recommendation for buyers, who are considering the Harrier and don’t want to stretch the budget any further. For buyers considering the Harrier automatic, the jump from XMA to the XTA Plus variant will cost Rs. 2.09 lakh as the XT variant is not available with an automatic transmission. But this upgrade is also worth the cost for Harrier automatic buyers.

You can also get the XT Plus Dark, which gets the following notable features:

• Black exterior colour
• Black alloy wheels
• Black interior
• #Dark badges

For the Rs. 30,000 higher asking price and the unique style, this upgrade is also justified in terms of value for money. But we’ll leave the decision to go for the Dark edition in your hands.

Tata Harrier Diesel XT Plus vs XZ & XZ Plus Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Harrier XZ variant costs Rs. 59,000 more over the XT Plus. The XZ variant costs Rs. 18.60 lakh with the manual and Rs. 19.90 lakh with the automatic. For the higher asking price, the XZ variant adds the following notable features over the XZ variant:

• HID headlamps
• Side and curtain airbags
• 7-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster
• Leather upholstery
• Split rear seatback
• Shark-fin antenna
• JBS sound system with 2 extra tweeters and a subwoofer
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Leather steering and gear knob
• Brown interior

Most of these features are good to have. But the asking price is reasonable for these features. It’s worth noting that the XZ variant doesn’t get the sunroof, which is available in the XT Plus variant. So, it’s fair to compare the XZ to the XT variant, which also doesn’t get the sunroof but has everything else that the XT Plus has to offer. In that case, the upgrade to the XZ variant is actually worth Rs. 1.09 lakh.

To get the sunroof, you’ll have to get the XZ Plus variant, which costs another Rs. 1.60 lakh. Besides the panoramic sunroof, the XZ Plus variant also adds:

• Telematics
• Ventilated front seats
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• Machined alloy wheels
• Power driver seat

The Rs. 1.60 lakh price seems steep for the upgrade to a variant after factoring in the already high price gaps between the lower variants. Still, for a fulfilling ownership experience, we’ll suggest compromising a little bit on the value front and getting the XZ or the XZ Plus variant. If you are comfortable giving up the sunroof, then the XZ variant seems to offer better value than the XZ Plus.

For about Rs. 20,000 to 30,000, you can also get the dual-tone, Kaziranga or Dark versions of the XZ Plus variant. For the unique style elements, these prices seem reasonable over the XZ or XZ Plus variants. If you want a unique design, then you can consider buying one of these versions.

The notable unique features of the Dark and Kaziranga are as follows:

Which Variant Of The Tata Harrier Diesel Should You Buy?

The XE base and XM variants miss out on so many must-have features that you’ll end up compromising greatly on the ownership experience. So, you should at least buy the XT or the XT Plus variants as these variants offer better value than the XM and have a balanced feature set. Between the XT and the XT Plus, you can choose the XT variant if you don’t want the sunroof or the XT Plus if you want the sunroof. Because of the very high perceived value of a panoramic sunroof, the XT Plus seems to offer better value than the XT.

From there, the XZ also offers good value for money over the XT variant and is a perfect upgrade for those who want a feature-rich car but don’t want a sunroof. The XZ is our top recommended variant for Harrier diesel-manual buyers. If you want the sunroof, then the XZ Plus carries a fairly big premium for the sunroof and some other features. However, it’s not too high and worth considering for buyers who want the features of the XZ variant and don’t want to miss out on the glass roof experience.

There are also cosmetic upgrade variants like the XT Plus Dark, XZ dual-tone, XZ Plus dual-tone, XZ Plus Dark and XZ Plus Kaziranga. These cosmetic variants carry a reasonable premium over their respective standard variants. So, you can buy either of these if you want these style elements.

For the Harrier automatic buyers, the XMA is worth skipping for the XTA Plus. It offers better value and enough features for a significantly better ownership experience. From there, the XZA seems like a good upgrade for buyers who want the Harrier without the panoramic sunroof. It is also our top recommendation for Harrier automatic buyers.

But, if you want the car with the sunroof, then you’ll have to compromise a little bit on the value front compared to the XZA and go with the XZA Plus. Just like the diesel-manual variants of the Harrier, with the automatic too, the Dark, dual-tone and Kaziranga editions are worth the incremental asking price for the unique style elements they offer.

What Are The Engine Specifications Of The Tata Harrier Diesel?

The Harrier is a D-segment SUV with 2-row of seating. It competes with the Mahindra XUV700 5-seat and MG Hector. The Hector also has a 2.0L diesel engine, which makes the same power and torque output with a similar mileage figure too, with the manual transmission. So, the Harrier beats it with the option of an automatic transmission.

The Tata Harrier’s other rival is the Mahindra XUV700, which has a 2.2L turbo diesel engine available with 2 performance versions in different variants. In lower variants, the XUV700 diesel makes a slightly lower power output than the Harrier but about the same torque. This 155PS version of the XUV700 diesel only gets a manual transmission.

The more powerful version of the XUV700 diesel makes a higher 185PS of power and a considerably higher 420Nm of torque with the manual transmission. With the automatic, this engine makes an ever higher 450Nm of torque. While we don’t know the efficiency numbers of the XUV700 diesel, for a D-segment diesel SUV, it has on-par performance with its 155PS engine and considerably better performance with the 185PS version.

*Estimated

What Are The Dimensions Of The Tata Harrier?

The Tata Harrier is the shortest in its class but also the widest. All 3 cars have about the same wheelbase. While the Harrier has a segment-best 205mm ground clearance it has the smallest fuel tank in its class, which can carry 10 litres less fuel than the Hector and XUV700 5-seat.

Just like the mileage figures, Mahindra haven’t revealed the ground clearance and boot space numbers either. They could be less than stellar for this segment but until we get official figures, we can’t comment on them. With the information we have right now, it looks like the Harrier has the credentials to offer an imposing road presence.

Find out how you can get the best mileage or fuel efficiency from your car:

10 Tips To Get Better Mileage From Your Petrol, Diesel Or CNG Car

What Are The Colour Options Of The Tata Harrier Diesel?

The 2022 Harrier diesel is available in the following exterior colour options:

• White (available in all variants)
• Grey (available in all except XE variant)
• Red (available in all except XE variant)
• White with black roof
• Red with black roof
• Beige with black roof (available in Kaziranga only)
• Black (available with Dark edition only)

Note: Here is a quick look at our length-based segmentation of cars to give you an idea of how we classify cars based on their size.