Headlining Tata Motors’ return to South Africa is the Harrier (driven here in 2.0TD Fearless + AT guise) – the Indian automaker’s flagship SUV offering in SA. It slots in above the Curvv in Tata’s local portfolio. Launched in September 2025, this SUV aims to blend luxury, power, and modern safety tech befitting a flagship model. Built on the firm’s Omega Arc platform, derived from Jaguar Land Rover’s D8 architecture (remember, Tata owns JLR), the Harrier offers a solid driving experience that rivals competitors like the Toyota Rav4 and Hyundai Tucson. And if Tata’s ambition is to come to fruition, this might just be a significant player in SA’s SUV segment.
What’s new on the Tata Harrier?
The Harrier is a big SUV, measuring 4 605 mm long, 2 131 mm wide, and 1 718 mm tall, with a 445 litre boot – expandable to 815 litres with the second row of seats folded flat. The overall look look is supported by 205 mm of ground clearance. The Fearless + AT is the top-tier model, packed with features like a 12.3-inch Harman touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Car2Home connectivity, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and a voice-activated panoramic sunroof with mood lighting.
It also includes a gesture-controlled power tailgate, ventilated front seats, six-way electric adjustability for the driver’s seat, replete with memory function, and a JBL sound system with nine speakers. Safety-wise, the SUV ships with seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, hill descent control, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
Review: 2025 Tata Harrier
Posted September 18, 2025
By: Charlen Raymond
Headlining Tata’s return to South Africa is the Harrier. Does this diesel-powered SUV have what it takes to impress SA’s car-buying public? CAR Contributor Charlen Raymond finds out.
What are we Driving and why is it significant?
Headlining Tata Motors’ return to South Africa is the Harrier (driven here in 2.0TD Fearless + AT guise) – the Indian automaker’s flagship SUV offering in SA. It slots in above the Curvv in Tata’s local portfolio. Launched in September 2025, this SUV aims to blend luxury, power, and modern safety tech befitting a flagship model. Built on the firm’s Omega Arc platform, derived from Jaguar Land Rover’s D8 architecture (remember, Tata owns JLR), the Harrier offers a solid driving experience that rivals competitors like the Toyota Rav4 and Hyundai Tucson. And if Tata’s ambition is to come to fruition, this might just be a significant player in SA’s SUV segment.
What’s new on the Tata Harrier?
The Harrier is a big SUV, measuring 4 605 mm long, 2 131 mm wide, and 1 718 mm tall, with a 445 litre boot – expandable to 815 litres with the second row of seats folded flat. The overall look look is supported by 205 mm of ground clearance. The Fearless + AT is the top-tier model, packed with features like a 12.3-inch Harman touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Car2Home connectivity, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and a voice-activated panoramic sunroof with mood lighting.
It also includes a gesture-controlled power tailgate, ventilated front seats, six-way electric adjustability for the driver’s seat, replete with memory function, and a JBL sound system with nine speakers. Safety-wise, the SUV ships with seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, hill descent control, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
What does the Tata Harrier cost?
The Harrier 2.0TD Fearless + AT retails for R699 900, above the Pure + AT (R549 900) and Adventure + A AT (R649 900). It comes with a five-year/125 000 km warranty and a five-year/75 000 km service plan as standard.
- Tata Harrier 2.0TD Pure + AT – R549 900
- Tata Harrier 2.0TD Adventure + A AT – R649 900
- Tata Harrier 2.0TD Fearless + AT – R699 900
What are the Tata Harrier’s rivals?
The Harrier 2.0TD Fearless + AT competes with midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. Its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, delivering 125 kW and 350 N.m, is not as powerful as, for example, the Tucson’s 137 kW and 416 N.m 2.0-litre diesel, but it still handles the open road like a champ. The six-speed automatic with paddle shifters adds a sporty edge, though it’s not as common as CVTs in this segment – which is a good thing. (CVTs can occasionally be drony.) The Harrier’s five-star safety rating and ADAS features give it an advantage over rivals with fewer comprehensive safety suites, while its premium interior can rival higher-end models.
What is the Tata Harrier like to drive?
The Harrier 2.0TD Fearless + AT offers a punchy drive, with a commanding view from its tall seating position and a smooth, powerful ride. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine delivers strong pull, with the 350 N.m from 1 750 r/min making overtaking effortless. The six-speed automatic shifts seamlessly, and paddle shifters let you take control when desired. Tata claims 6.6 L/100 km, which should be enough for a theoretical driving range of 750 km from a full 50-litre tank of fuel fuel. The ride is plush, soaking up bumps thanks to the Omega Arc platform, though it’s not on JLR’s level. There are driving modes to select from, but Sport is a noticeable omission. The cabin is luxurious, with leather upholstery, mood lighting, and good NVH suppression, though there is a little wind noise around the side mirrors.
Verdict
The Tata Harrier 2.0TD Fearless + AT has all the makings to be a standout in South Africa’s midsize-SUV market. And at the price, it undercuts many rivals. Its diesel engine and smooth automatic create a refined driving experience.
2025 Tata Harrier Fearless + AT specifications
- Price: R699 900
- Powertrain: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: front
- Power: 125 kW @ 3 750 r/min
- Torque: 350 N.m @ 1 750-2 500 r/min
- Top speed: N/A
- Fuel consumption: 6.6 L/100km (claimed)
- CO2 emissions: 174 g/km
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