Harrier: Diesel or Petrol?

Last Updated on: 09 Nov 2026
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Both Tata Harrier engines make the same 170hp, but they deliver it very differently, and that is the specification that matters most when you choose between them. The 1498cc turbo-petrol produces 280Nm of pulling power between 1,750 and 3,500rpm, and it has 160Nm available from as low as 1,000rpm, so it responds early to the throttle. The 1956cc diesel makes 350Nm, which is the higher figure and the reason it feels stronger when the car is loaded.
Key facts for the Harrier:
Gearboxes are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, and both engines can be had with either.
The car measures 4,605mm long, 1,922mm wide and 1,718mm tall on a 2,741mm wheelbase, which is a long wheelbase for this class and explains the rear seat space.
Boot space is 445 litres with the rear seats upright.
The petrol version weighs around 80kg less than the diesel.
Higher variants get disc brakes on all four wheels rather than drums at the rear.
Driving modes are Normal, Wet and Rough, and they adjust the traction settings rather than adding any four-wheel-drive hardware.
Six airbags, stability control, traction control and tyre pressure monitoring are fitted to every variant, with a seventh airbag on the higher ones.
The Tata Harrier isn't just a car; it's a statement of dominance on the road. The best experience begins the moment you approach it. Its OmegaArc platform gives it a wide, muscular stance that commands respect, but the true magic happens behind the wheel. Really its overall package.
The tata harrier offers a premium cabin, comfortable seats, smooth suspension and strong highway performance. It feels safe spacious and well built a great choice for families, long drives with modern features and a bold road presence, that stands out and especially the crimson red colour is the key highlight of this segment it stand out in a crowd.
Very nice car with safety, performance is good, looking good features are high, smooth clearance swift, best suv high speed stability, spacious cabin strong engine 2.0 L diesel and the newer 1.5L turbo petrol, 5 seater suv bold road presence, tata harrier is a stylish car well handling safety rating 5 Star, tech with led headlamp.
Harrier is also best in terms of safety, driving dynamics, and comfort.
Go with the Harrier if you want to experience a Range Rover-like feel and performance. It offers a rugged experience.
Tata Harrier is very good all round but with some glitches. New models are updated.
After driving the Harrier, I felt the car is superb in driving dynamics. The engine is very powerful for highways, and it has a robust build quality. Safety and ride are very comfortable for long drives, and the car is also spacious. The mileage of the diesel engine is very good.
I cancelled my Harrier petrol booking due to underpowered engine concerns. Switched to diesel but still facing a 4-month wait. Unprofessional attitude from dealer and Tata.
I booked the Tata Harrier and got it delivered after a waiting period. The power and ride quality are next level. Go for it, you won't regret it in the future.
Words can't express how luxurious this car feels. It's like taking a home to heaven, with a digital odometer and electronic steering that make for a smooth drive.
Petrol is smooth with effortless performance
Good ride quality and highway manners
Ergonomic quirks persist
Gruff diesel engine



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Up to ₹2.75 lakhs off on the Harrier EV! I think this a good discount to finally get convinced for an electric SUV.
@51aizktu After driving the Harrier, I felt the car is superb in driving dynamics, engine is very powerful for highways and robust build quality and safety and ride is very comfortable for long drives and car is also spacious with mileage of diesel engine very good. I am a proud owner of BS6 2021 Harrier.
Hi, I'm planning for a reliable car for my family for long term ownership. Mostly, I drive within the city with monthly average of 300-500 km and take 2-3 long trips in a year. I had shortlisted Seltos HTX petrol. However, I'm getting recommendations to go with Harrier base under my budget. Should I opt with Seltos or Harrier?
Go for the Kia Seltos HTX petrol. With your usage of 300-500 km a month and mostly city driving, petrol is the right choice, and the Seltos is a very well-rounded car. It is comfortable, easy to drive in the city, has a good feature set in the HTX trim, and Kia’s service network is strong. The Harrier base is a bigger, heavier car and is better suited to buyers who do a lot of highway driving or need the extra space and ruggedness. For your usage, the Seltos will be easier to live with, more efficient and a better fit overall. The only reason to consider the Harrier would be if you specifically need the larger size and more rugged nature, but for your requirements the Seltos is the smarter choice.
Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.
For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.
Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy the Tata Harrier by selling my 2021 Tata Nexon petrol XZ+ (O) Dark Edition, which has covered 30,000 km. I am confused about whether to choose the Harrier petrol or diesel. With the government introducing stricter emission norms, will buying a diesel car be a viable option in the long run? If I choose diesel, should I go for the manual or automatic transmission? Which gearbox is more durable? If I choose petrol, can I expect decent mileage from such a heavy car? Please advise.
We would recommend the Harrier diesel automatic if you do substantial highway driving or cover over 15,000km annually. If your usage is mainly within the city and your annual running is low, the petrol automatic is worth considering, although its fuel bills will be considerably higher than those of your Nexon petrol.The stricter emission norms coming into effect from April 2027 are fleet average fuel efficiency targets for manufacturers, not a ban on diesel cars. The diesel therefore remains a viable option, particularly if you intend to keep the Harrier for several years and regularly undertake long journeys. Fuel efficiency is the petrol Harrier's biggest drawback. In Autocar India's test, the petrol automatic returned 6.17kpl in the city and 12.49kpl on the highway, against 9.6kpl and 14.4kpl respectively for the diesel automatic.The automatic is more convenient in traffic, while the manual diesel offers slightly better efficiency. Neither gearbox should be chosen on durability assumptions alone.












