Spec comparison: Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass

The Tata Harrier will be launched next month and it’s a big one for the Indian automaker. This will be their most comprehensive foray into the premium segment and on paper everything looks quite solid.
There’s a whole load of features, impressive Land Rover derived hardware and a design that stays quite close to the H5X concept car that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. We’ve given you the variant wise break up, feature list and will let you know what it is like to drive on the 7 December. Well now, here is how it stands up to its most important rival, the Jeep Compass.

Exterior

There’s two clear stages of what is going here. On the one hand, we have the Jeep Compass. It’s currently the entry-level model from the American automaker and offers the best of the Jeep design but in an affordable package, in accordance with the segmentation of the car. These design highlights comprise the signature seven-slat grille, crossover profile as well as the shape of the tail lamps.

In the Tata Harrier, it’s a similar story but with a twist. Where the Compass is an entry-level model, the Harrier is the new flagship from the house of Tata. Its design is unlike anything we have seen from the Indian automaker and sets the stage for what to expect from them in the future. Design highlights include the placement of the headlamps, grille, roofline, tail lamps and the black applique that surrounds the tail lamps that has now become a signature on Tata SUVs as well as their high riding vehicles.

Interior

Taking into consideration their position and pricing, if we look at the top-of-the-line models for both models, most of the features expected are available. Climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, power driver’s seat, electrically folding and adjustable ORVMs and leather for the seats.

Look deeper and you will notice that the Compass is a bit restrained in its design with subtle hints of chrome and everything laid out in a neat and easy to use fashion. The layout on the centre console is simple and easy to follow.

With the Harrier, there is that extra bit of flamboyance that will help the car stand out among its rivals. The whole cabin has been trimmed out in brown and beige, there are wooden inserts on the dashboard, the touchscreen system has a floating display and the drive selector knob sits prominently at the edge of the console.
The Harrier is 4.59m X 1.89m X 1.70m (L X W X H) while the Jeep Compass is 4.39m X 1.81m X 1.64m (L X W X H), thus making it bigger across the dimensions. The wheelbase of the Harrier is 2.74-meters while its 2.63-meters for the Compass. The American SUV does win in the battle of boots as it gets 438-litres as compared to the Harrier’s 425-litres.
On the safety front, both cars offer dual front airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounting points as well as ABS with EBD as standard while the top spec models get six airbags for both cars.  

Engine and performance
Both cars make use of 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel unit. In the case of Jeep, this engine is good for 171bhp/350Nm while in the Harrier, its engine produces 138bhp/350Nm. Both get a six-speed manual as a part of the package.
When launched, the Harrier will only be offered with FWD but we believe that as a part of the planned updates an AT option, petrol power and 4X4 will all be brought in eventually. The Compass already has all these options as a part its range.

Conclusion
We believe that the base XE variant will start at around 15 lakhs and the top spec model will be priced at Rs 21 lakhs. This puts it right in the middle of things with regard to Jeep Compass in terms of pricing. The car will be launched in early 2019.