Tata Harrier launched: What else can you buy?

After showing us the gorgeous looking H5X concept at the 2018 Auto Expo, Tata Motors officially launched the all-new Harrier in India at a surprising price range beginning from Rs 12.69 lakhs (ex-showroom) and up to Rs 16.25 lakhs (ex-showroom). This latest premium SUV from Tata’s stable is based on the Land Rover-derived platform and carries a new design signature. This makes the Harrier both capable and good looking. So before you head out to the Tata showroom to buy the all-new Harrier, here are all the other alternatives that one should consider for the same prices. 

The entry-level Harrier XE carries a price tag of Rs 12.69 lakhs. For this price, there are two other viable contenders, namely the top-spec Ford EcoSport S diesel-manual and the top-spec Renault Duster RXZ 4x4 diesel-manual. Both these options are well-loaded with features and popular choices in their segment. But the Harrier is positioned almost two segments above these cars. Meanwhile, undercutting this battle at a far lower price (almost a lakh) are two Nexa offerings, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and the newly updated Ciaz. Prospective buyers should also consider the seven-seater top-spec Renault Lodgy, which is a practical MPV priced the same as the Harrier XE. 

For the price of a Harrier XM, there are several options among the C-segment sedans in the mid- and top-spec variants. And then, there´s the segment-leader, Hyundai Creta, which is available in the mid-spec SX 1.6 (O) petrol-manual guise. Renault’s flagship vehicle, Captur is another alternative to the Harrier here. But again, the Harrier is the bigger vehicle among them all and comes with decent features even in this trim. Another seven-seater available at this price point is the top-spec Honda BR-V and it too is priced the same as the Harrier XM. 

As an alternative to the XT trim of the Harrier, which is available for a price of Rs 14.95 lakhs, the top-spec variants of the Skoda Rapid, Hyundai Verna, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Vento and the Honda City are all practical options in the C-segment, worthy of consideration. But if the need of the hour is solely for an SUV, the newly-launched Nissan Kicks XV would be the most updated choice in this range. Mahindra’s eight-seater Marazzo M8 makes for a good choice as well since it is a fully-loaded variant and the MPV has decent road manners too. Otherwise, the top-spec Creta makes for a sensible buy, at the same price as the XT trim. 

The top-spec XZ trim of the Harrier is priced at Rs 16.25 lakhs. The Mahindra Scorpio, in its top-spec S11 4WD version, is a well-established competitor for the Harrier at this price. The Scorpio (with its eight-seat configuration) also has a cult following in India. Another Mahindra rival here for the Harrier is the XUV500 in the W9 AT guise. The XUV500 is a seven-seater and comes with the choice of an automatic transmission which the Harrier misses out on. Hyundai Elantra SX is the only D-segment sedan available at this price point and can be had in a petrol-automatic combo. For a comfortable seven-seater, buyers can opt for the reliable Toyota Innova Crysta GX in both manual and automatic variant at this price. The Jeep Compass – which has the same engine as the Harrier – can be had in the entry-spec Sports diesel guise. The power output of the Compass is more than the Harrier. But where the Compass comes across as an entry-level model from the iconic American brand, the Harrier is the flagship and most premium offering from Tata.