Driven | Harrier EV bridges the technology with brute muscle power
15 June 2025: When you think of electric family SUVs, you don’t usually think of the Buddh International Circuit, an Indian motor racing track located in Jaypee Sports City, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, as the place for a typical test drive
When Tata Motors invited us to test drive the new Harrier EV, and we saw that it could easily tow a 23,000 kg military truck, we knew what was in store for us.
My primary objective, however, was to determine whether the Harrier EV is a well-made electric SUV that can operate effectively on Indian roads, or if it is merely a showpiece, setting aside its party tricks.
This is what it was like to drive it.
⚡ Instant Fun, Instant Power
The 0-100 kmph dash appeared in a clear 6.3 seconds after I shifted the drive selector into Sport mode and stepped on the accelerator. Well, that’s hot hatch territory. This is a five-seater SUV that weighs more than two tonnes, for comparison.
🏁 Cornering Confidence at Speed
Typically, large SUVs dislike corners. Tata’s efforts on the chassis, however, are evident. I pushed the Harrier EV through the narrow, technical parts of the Buddh circuit, and it remained remarkably calm because of the Ultra Glide multi-link rear suspension and a low-slung battery that keeps the centre of gravity down.
Instead of body roll as I had anticipated, I received precise, consistent handling. Physics still exists, but Tata’s chassis tuning effectively hides the weight. Strong grip levels and clever torque adjustments by the AWD system kept everything tidy around every turn.
Off-Road Party Tricks — and Useful Advantages
Tata had set up rock-crawl and mud-rut simulations for us to test the EV’s traction control and “Off-road Assist” features, even though Buddh doesn’t exactly have off-road trails. The low-speed cruise control, which allows you to set a crawling pace, is a clever feature here. It’s perfect for rocky or slushy conditions where smooth throttle input is important.
The Transparent Mode, which displays a real-time feed of what’s underneath the car on the infotainment screen, was also impressive. When going off tarmac, it’s useful for avoiding rocks or big obstructions.
Delhi was reaching 45°C, so snow mode was not an option. However, there is enough electronic wizardry here to inspire confidence on a variety of surfaces, including wet roads and loose gravel.
🔋 Battery & Range: Important Decisions
The Harrier EV comes with two different battery capacities: 65 kWh and 75 kWh. The 65 kWh model that I was driving has a stated range of up to 600 kilometres on a single charge, depending on usage and terrain. In actuality, a full charge should provide a range of at least 450 kilometres. With a power output of 234 bhp, the Harier Ev can also be charged quickly; with a 120 kW DC charger, a 20–80% charge takes 25 minutes. The base price for the Harrier EV is expected to be Rs 21.49 lakh
Tata has worked to keep charging flexibility in mind. It supports fast DC charging, AC wall box charging, and those handy Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functions. Y
Yes — I could theoretically charge another EV with this or plug in a camping fridge or laptop on a road trip.
🎧 Living Inside: Premium Meets Practical
What surprised me almost as much as the acceleration was the quality of the interior. The 14.5-inch Samsung Neo QLED display genuinely feels futuristic, while the 10.25-inch digital driver’s display is sharp and configurable. It’s the sort of setup you’d expect in a luxury SUV costing twice as much.
But Tata didn’t just stop at screens:
JBL 10-speaker system with Dolby Atmos. Let’s just say — this is how EVs should sound (not just inside the cabin, but in terms of audio).
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless charging with cooling function
- Powered seats with memory and ventilation — trust me, crucial in India’s summer.
- Ambient lighting in multiple colours depending on drive mode or mood.
- OTA (Over-the-Air) updates keep the car’s software evolving.
📱 Autonomous Parking and Summon Mode
One of the true ‘futuristic’ moments for me was engaging Summon Mode. Using my smartphone, I made the Harrier EV reverse itself into a tight spot I wouldn’t have even tried manually. It even moved forward with just a tap on the app.
The ‘Anywhere Park Assist’ function is even better — fully automatic parking in tight spaces, whether parallel, perpendicular, or diagonal. No hands, no stress.
🎥 Marketing Gimmick? Nope.
You might’ve seen that now-viral ad of the Harrier EV climbing Kerala’s Elephant Rock at nearly 4,000 feet elevation. After driving it, I can tell you — this isn’t just slick marketing. The electric drivetrain’s instant torque is perfectly suited for steep, uneven climbs like that. And if the visuals weren’t convincing, the military truck stunt here at Buddh was the exclamation point.
💰 The Verdict on Value
Starting at Rs 21.49 lakh (ex-showroom), bookings for the Harrier EV open July 2, 2025. Honestly, with the kind of features packed in and with Tata promising future updates via OTA, this EV feels like serious value, especially if you want an electric SUV that doesn’t compromise on capability.
