Riding on a development of the Ford D8 platform that underpins the Land Rover Discovery Sport, known as Omega Arc, the Harrier measures 4 598mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 741mm, height of 1 706mm and width of 1 894mm, and comes styling derived from the Hyundai Kona and Santa Fe.

Boasting the same Terrain Response-like system as the Sport with three modes; Norma, Wet and Rough in addition to Tata’s Multi-Drive mode selector also with three settings; Eco, City and Sport, the front-wheel drive only Harrier is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel derived from Fiat’s Multijet unit known as Kryotec, which produces 103kW/350Nm. A six-speed manual gearbox is the sole option for now, though a Hyundai sourced six-speed automatic will be added at a later stage.

At present, Tata Motors South Africa has not confirmed the Harrier for local availability in 2019.

PRICING

PREVIOUS

The last model to receive the automaker’s IMPACT styling language albeit revised to mirror that of Hyundai’s latest offerings, the Harrier rides on a development of the Ford D8 platform that currently underpins the Land Rover Discovery Sport known as Omega Arc, and measures 4 598mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 741mm, height of 1 706mm and width of 1 894mm.

Using the same front suspension as the Sport but swapping the aluminium multi-link setup at the rear for a torsion-beam configuration in order to bring costs down, the front-wheel drive only Harrier offers a ground clearance of 205mm and, in spite of being two-wheel driven, comes with a Terrain Response-like system with three modes; Norma, Wet and Rough in addition to Tata’s Multi-Drive mode selector also with three settings; Eco, City and Sport.

Model-wise, the Harrier will go on sale with a choice of four trim levels and a single engine, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel dubbed Kryotec based on Fiat’s Multijet motor that has been tweaked to deliver 103kW/350Nm. For now, only a six-speed manual gearbox is available although a Hyundai sourced six-speed automatic will be added next year.

In terms of equipment, the XE opens up the range and comes with projector-type headlights with daytime running LEDs, auto locking doors, rear parking sensors, electric windows all around, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, 16-inch steel wheels, rear air-conditioning vents, electrically adjustable mirrors with puddle lamps, a four-inch instrument cluster display and LED taillights.

Upping the ante, the XM adds follow-me-home headlights, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Aux and USB, front fog lights, a four-speaker sound system, steering wheel mounted audio controls and the aforementioned Multi-Drive system.

Sitting in the middle, the XT swaps the 16-inch steelies for 17-inch alloys and further comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Voice Recognition, a reverse camera, push-button start, cruise control, a rear armrest, climate control, a cooled storage compartment under the front armrest, rain sense wipers and automatic headlights.

Capping the range off, the XZ receives the Terrain Response-like system and no less than six airbags as well as ES, Hill Hold and Hill Descent Control, in addition to a 8.8-inch touchscreen system, a nine-speaker JBL sound system, leather upholstery, xenon projector headlights, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster display, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, Brake Assist, cornering fog lights, Corner Stability Control and Roll-Over Mitigation.

No pricing as yet been announced, although reports have suggested that the Harrier will be priced from Rs 1 600 000 (R314 488) for the XE to Rs 2 100 000 (R412 765) for the XZ. Like the Nexon and Hexa however, local availability remains to be confirmed.