Flagship SUVs from Tata Motors, the Harrier and its 3-row version, the Safari have gone in for a massive makeover. The facelifts of both get a whole lot of design changes along with new features and tech. In addition to this there’s also been a significant improvement when it comes to safety, while the engine and gearbox options remain the same as earlier. Tata Motors launched the new SUVs, built on the OMEGARC architecture, derived from Land Rover’s renowned D8 Platform in the market earlier this week.
Design
Unlike the pre-facelift cars, the Safari and Harrier now look more different from each other. Full-width lightbars are a new addition in both, while the familiar split-type headlamps are located just below them. The bumper design is also different; while the Harrier gets a triangle-shaped housing for lamps, housing on the Safari are more rectangular. Skid plates are different too, with Safari getting silver-finished units while the Harrier gets back plates. Tail lamps have changes too on both SUVs and so have the bumpers and alloy wheels. In all enough and more has been done to make the SUVs look different from pre-facelift models and they also look more contemporary now.
Interiors
The Harrier and Safari are more feature rich than before. The dashboard design is all-new and that’s also the case with the 31.24 cm Harman touch screen Infotainment system and the 26.03 cm configurable Instrument cluster that also comes with Navigation display, something also seen on the recently launched Nexon. What’s also taken from the Nexon is the illuminated logo on steering wheel and a hidden until lit cluster for climate control and a few other functions. Apart from this you get a 10 speaker JBL music system with HarmanAudioworX and 13 bespoke acoustic modes which Tata claims is first in the world. The SUVs also get Voice support with more than 250 commands in 6 languages with 4independent voice assistants, a Gesture Controlled Power Tailgate and ventilated seats for both the front two rows.
Safety
With the launch of the new Safari & Harrier, it was also revealed that the SUVs are now the Safest Vehicles on Indian Roads as both have achieved a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP under their safer cars for India program. In fact they have secured the highest score by an Indian car ever both for adult occupant protection (33.05/34) and child occupant protection (45.00/49). This has been achieved by extensive use of advanced high strength steel as well as higher number of hot stamping points. Apart from this the SUVs also get ADAS with 12 features which is first in segment as well as 6 airbags as standard while the top trims get an additional knee airbag for the driver. So in terms of safety, the SUVs are pretty well rounded.
Engine
Both the Harrier and Safari continue to run on the same 2.0 Diesel engine that makes 170 PS along with 350 Nm of peak torque. Like earlier you have the choice between a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The company has decided against offering Petrol engine or all-wheel drive options on both the SUVs.
Prices
While the new Safari gets an introductory starting price of `16.19 lakhs (ex-showroom) the Harrier starts at `15.49 lakh. The top variants will set you back by `24.49 lakh and `25.49 lakh, respectively. They are being offered in four distinct personas, which is a slightly different take on variants by Tata Motors. Colour options on the exterior and accents inside the cabins depend on the personas you are choosing.
The author is a Senior Editor at carandbike.com.