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2023 Tata Harrier Review - Slick New Suit
In 2019, Tata revealed the all-new Harrier SUV, the firm's 5-seater C-Segment SUV, as it looked to return to its old stomping grounds of large (for India) SUVs.
Now, four years later, the Harrier has undergone a mid-cycle facelift which brings it in line with Tata's changing styling guide, inspired by the Curvv Concept from Auto Expo 2023.
So when Tata invited us to Pune to test out the updated Harrier and its seven-seater Safari sibling (review out on the 15th), we were more than intrigued enough to see if this was a case of the Emperor's New Clothes or if the changes were more than just skin deep...
2023 Tata Harrier Review: What's Changed - New Suit & Even More Tech
The Tata lineup is undergoing a redo in terms of design and the new Harrier is the second SUV in the lineup after the Nexon to get the updated exterior design treatment which seems to be an update on the Currv concept's design philosophy.
So both the front and the rear sections of the 2023 Tata Harrier have undergone some heavy changes compared to the previous version of the SUV. The front end looks more upright and sports an LED DRL running across the width of the bonnet. The sections of the DRL near the upper edges of the upper grille host the Tata Badge.
The actual projector LED headlights sit in their own triangular enclosures near the edges of the Harrier's front bumper. The LED fog lamps sit underneath the headlights and also have a cornering function. The lower section of the split parametric grille hosts the equipment for the ADAS systems.
The sides of the Harrier remain mostly unchanged. The new 2023 version of the SUV sports Harrier lettering on the front doors and the SUV can be specified with 17, 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels sporting aero inserts depending on the variant (Persona in Tata speak) chosen.
The rear section of the new 2023 Tata Harrier sports connected LED taillights with the other lights including the rear foglights sit lower on the rear bumper's edges. Also seen is the Harrier badging low on the automated tailgate and the roof-mounted spoiler that no longer looks to be an afterthought.
The Harrier is offered in Sunlit Yellow, Coral Red, Pebble Grey, Lunar White, Oberon Black, Seaweed Green, and Ash Grey. Certain colours are exclusive to one of the Tata SUV's personas (variants to the rest of us) - Fearless gets Sunlit Yellow, Adventure sports Seaweed Green, Pure features Ash Grey while Ash White is reserved for Smart and Dark rocks Oberon Black.
Step inside the new Harrier and the changes are even more visible. The new dash and the grab handles on the centre console sport the same section finished in the same colour as the exterior shade to match the chosen persona of the new 2023 Harrier
The multi-layer dash is once again dominated by the large touchscreen infotainment that sits at its centre. The infotainment screen which can now be found in sizes as large as 12.3 inches across and comes paired with a 10-speaker JBL surround sound system and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The new 2023 Harrier also sports a brand new four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo at its centre. Also seen are paddle shifters on the automatic variants. Behind the new steering wheel sits a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster which gives drivers all the information needed including navigation.
The updated Harrier supports multiple voice assistants including Amazon's Alexa and the infotainment display also acts as a hub for the IRA 2.0 connected vehicle feature set that allows owners to control functions of the SUV from the app.
The controls for the two-zone automatic HVAC system are now digital and look nearly identical to the one on the Nexon. Further down the centre console, one can see the 45W USB-C fast charging port and the wireless phone charger.
Also, seen on the centre console is the electronic parking brake, the new drive mode selector and the gear shifter. The ventilated front seats are powered as well, with the driver's unit sporting both welcome and memory functions.
The rear seats sport big headrests and the cabin sports a massive sunroof with ambient lighting all around. The tailgate is a powered unit which makes big shopping easy to deal with.
Other new highlights of the Harrier include the ADAS systems with 11 features seen on the special RED Dark edition of the previous version of the SUV. Other safety kit include up to 7 airbags (knee bag being the newest cushioned friend), auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, an air purifier, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, ABS with EBD, ESP among many others.
Safety Update: The new Tata Harrier facelift and its updated 7-seater sibling, the Safari were the first two vehicles to be tested by Bharat NCAP and came out with flying colours, scoring 5 stars each.
2023 Tata Harrier Review: What's Remained The Same: Mechanical Bits
The Tata Harrier continues to draw power from the Stellantis Group's 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel four-pot. The 'Kryotec' engine kicks out 168bhp and 350Nm and comes paired with either a 6-speed manual (which we drove) or 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes.
The manual Harrier feels the same as before with the diesel four-pot happiest between 1,800 and 3,500rpm. However, you'll find yourself short-shifting this engine up the ratios as the NVH levels can get annoying as the engine climbs up the rev counter to its redline.
The manual transmission while still not the slickest shifter is easy to slot gears but shifting is hindered by a clutch which is still rather heavy to use.The different terrain modes combined with the 205mm of ground clearance ensure the Harrier can cover most rough roads and paths with ease.
However, the soft suspension combined with the high ground clearance means that the Harrier still isn't the most graceful on flowing roads with corners galore. While the body roll is managed, it is noticeable, especially at the back.
The cabin of the Harrier is still a spacious and comfortable place for those on the inside and there is enough room for the taller folk despite the large sunroof with its fancy lights. Also parking the large Harrier isn't much of a chore thanks to the high-definition 360-degree camera which allows you to sneak into parking spaces with confidence.
2023 Tata Harrier Review: Verdict & Final Thoughts - Sharp New Suit
The new 2023 Tata Harrier has undergone quite a cosmetic transformation and now sports slicker front and rear end designs and a cabin that looks like a million bucks, which comes equipped to the gills with tech.
Overall, the new 2023 Tata Harrier helps the SUV join Tata's style and tech revolution while maintaining the driving qualities of its predecessor which is a good thing at the end of the day.
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