[AirbusCapt]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

With it's toughest competitor:

Attachment 1825792

With it's younger (and smaller) sibling:

Attachment 1825793

Interesting to see how it looks versus the Hexa, the Endevour, Compass and the Fortuner

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

With it's toughest competitor:

That offers -

15 hp more.
Powered seats
AT
AWD
Petrol option
Sunroof
Optional 3rd row

The oldie still has got what it takes, so Harrier better keep that in mind while pricing.

[DieselAddikt]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

That offers -

15 hp more.
Powered seats
AT
AWD
Petrol option
Sunroof
Optional 3rd row

The oldie still has got what it takes, so Harrier bet keep that in mind while pricing.

All the points mentioned above are valid. Somehow I feel that people are not as excited. Even the reviewers in the video seem less excited. I (as a Tata supporter) have certainly run out of steam. There are a few common things that almost all the reviewers mentioned.
1. Wishing for better NVH
2. Seating ergonomics
3. Handbrake ergonomics
4. AT coming in an year

While they say that they were driving pre-production models and that NVH will be better in production version, why was Tata in a hurry to present it to the world? Is it because people were in a hurry to see it? If yes, that could be because they opened the online booking too early (evident from the fact that the customer support team sent an e-mail list along with feature list. Simply not prepared to face customers). I think Tata was rushing through the process. Probably it is the idea of some top executive in the company. Someone badly wanted to reveal something nice to keep the investors happy and save their jobs (my blind guess ). It is worth noting that Tata Motors is going through a rough patch as far as finances are concerned. Anyway, that is a different topic altogether.

Even if we believe that NVH will be better in the production version, ergonomic issues mentioned above are not going to be taken care of as the design has already been finalized (production would have begun too). And about not having an AT for one year, less said the better.

I am back to weighing the pros and cons of XUV and Hexa (and the V-Cross to some extend). Not looking at Toyota as I think (could be a notion) that they are fleecing us big time. I feel something about this hasty media drive is not right. I still have around 6 months to decide (before my 160K run Vista gives up on me). Hope TeamBHP review comes out before that and I get a proper test drive before I take a final decision.

[kalpurja]

I have cancelled my booking. May take 15-20 days to get refund. Yesterday received a call from premium Helpdesk(Pune). They are requesting me to take test drive and decide. No point of taking test drive as I don’t want manual transmission vehicle.

[volkman10]

With all the hype on Harrier, the HEXA reaches a new low in November dispatches- sees only 487 units.

Source: Auto Punditz

[needforspeed88]

I hope people for once actually give credit to Tata for concentrating on the fundamentals like the architecture, engine and gearbox, ride and handling, straight line stability, space, quality of materials and robustness. If you add to the above the fact that Harrier is great looking, well proportioned and possesses a great road presence, it is a very well rounded package.

As expected cacophony over sunroof and noise insulation seem to be drowning out everything that is great about the Harrier which is extremely unfortunate. Yes, Harrier is a premium product and noise insulation is important but it is not the be all and end all about a product. Also Tata may improve noise insulation based on feedback received in media drives. One glaring omission is definitely the auto box but that is something that will come in a year.

As far as I can see based purely from the fundamental qualities of the product Harrier is a game changer especially coming from an Indian manufacturer. I think Tata will price the Harrier sensibly and in my opinion, for anyone looking for a spacious 5 seater manual SUV, Harrier is a compelling option.

[r0nit7]

Originally Posted by DieselAddikt

While they say that they were driving pre-production models and that NVH will be better in production version, why was Tata in a hurry to present it to the world? Is it because people were in a hurry to see it? If yes, that could be because they opened the online booking too early (evident from the fact that the customer support team sent an e-mail list along with feature list. Simply not prepared to face customers). I think Tata was rushing through the process.

My theory regarding the Harrier's big time gap between pre-booking and actual launch is that Tata always knew that Harrier would be ready for launch in 2019 only. But that would have meant missing out on the customers who go car shopping around the festive period. So they started the pre-bookings simultaneously with the teaser campaign along with the controlled "leaks" in order to sway those who were in the car buying process to hold on for a little while longer and buy a fresh product with of course the calendar year advantage.
Similar is the case with the JTPs - Tata rushed the media drives and launched the twins around the festive period on 26th Oct but nearly a month and a half later, even the TD vehicles are not available with dealers let alone deliveries, infact some of the dealers don't have a clue as to when they'll get them
God knows how much will Tata take to provide TD vehicles post the launch of the Harrier

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

You will get your answer if you will look at the sales split between the AWD models and regular two wheel drives. These are strictly city SUV's which means they will handle our waterlogged streets after normal amount of rain (not a downpour) just fine, will be easier to drive on our traffic congested streets where knowing the corners of a car helps and also handle mount everest rivalling speed breakers, not touching the running board with our massively high kerbs when turning tight and giant potholes just fine. Any serious off road stuff and you should not be looking at anything within this segment.
I dont think XUV had an all wheel drive option from day one either but thats beside the point. The fact remains that we will cry out for safer cars and then go ahead and buy a Swift believing the masses buy it because it the most sporty drive of the lot, or worse an Alto, want a ladder frame SUV and then buy Fortuner 2WD, cry out for affordable fast hatchbacks but when launched (JTP twins) lament how close the said hatchback is priced to a cut price unsafe psuedo sedan aka Dzire etc etc. There is no market in India for enthusiast cars, we only like to talk about them. I am glad Tata is taking a pragmatic approach and to be honest even if they do not listen at all to the so called enthusiasts it wont be hurting them much in sales anyway.

You are quite right about the sales split. And perhaps I should have added that as far as driving in the hills is concerned, FWD-ers with WB-es ~ 2.4m (most small hatchbacks) are perfectly competent on any incline and run rings round our Scorpio all the time. It is the larger WB-ed cars with FWD that I have found in difficulties in these circumstances (inclines of 1:3 or better with tight hairpins & poor/gravel/kaccha surfacing). I have mentioned this earlier also and the popularity of the smaller hatchbacks and of course the RWD-ers (Omni, Eeco, Bolero, Sumo etc) on those roads underline the fact that the locals are very well aware of the virtues of small hatch-backs & RWD-ers. As you mentioned the C-SUV with FWD is ideal for the urban jungle, with all the grave risks that you have highlighted!
It is only on the hilly & poorly surfaced regions & with fully laden vehicles that their (the larger FWD-ers) drawbacks come to the fore.

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

....
The fact remains that we will cry out for safer cars and then go ahead and buy a Swift believing the masses buy it because it the most sporty drive of the lot, or worse an Alto, want a ladder frame SUV and then buy Fortuner 2WD, cry out for affordable fast hatchbacks but when launched (JTP twins) lament how close the said hatchback is priced to a cut price unsafe psuedo sedan aka Dzire etc etc. There is no market in India for enthusiast cars, we only like to talk about them. I am glad Tata is taking a pragmatic approach and to be honest even if they do not listen at all to the so called enthusiasts it wont be hurting them much in sales anyway.

To be honest I am not too sold on the current & relatively sudden awareness of "safe cars", specially the supposed virtue of airbags (the current flavour of the season for the keeping-up-with-the-Jones' brigade) in saving lives. I have mentioned earlier - just as others on the forum have - about the failure of air-bag deployment in real life accidents resulting in fatalities. Unfortunately the splendid slow motion videos shown on the media with promptly inflating air-bags saving the lives of dummy passengers lulls us into a sense of false security. Most mariners among us know the serious issue of the failure of hydro-statically triggered life-rafts that fail to inflate in the actual event of a ship sinking. It is a comparable situation and the issues involved (both in car safety & in vessel safety) are too convoluted to go into here.
The thing is that air-bags provide a nice & relatively painless (for the mfr. obviously) way of passing safety regulations. There are far fewer mfrs. (like Volvo e.g.) who have built their reputation on making structurally safe & sound cars - not enthusiast cars! Tho' recently they have offered cars that are both very safe & reportedly great to drive too!

[DieselAddikt]

Originally Posted by r0nit7

God knows how much will Tata take to provide TD vehicles post the launch of the Harrier

Yup. That is exactly why I mentioned I "hope" to get a TD in 6 months. JTP is nowhere to be seen.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by nainan

Oh yes !!!! I too believe a proper 4WD is a must for an SUV. In the Scorpio and the Safari of the last decade it was an option throughout the range. However even then dealers used to say there were very few takers for it due to the 1 lakh extra it would add to a 7 lakh on the road vehicle and a mileage drop.
Occasional use was the reason that was oft cited and if you look at the market today from being offered on all trims as an option it has been reduced to being a luxury SUV option in the top trim. If we go at this rate we will be a 2WD country in the next decade. The Creta in other markets has a 4WD option but Hyundai decided against launching it in India. Others are following suit.

Unfortunate but true Nainan! Most mfrs (including TML and M&M) have been offering pseudo SUVs/ soft-roaders/ X-overs - call them what you will - but basically under all the spin-doctoring and the media bling, they are just large hatches-on-stilts-and-steroids! Without even the saving grace of RWD (forget 4WD or AWD) to add durability to the vehicle! If this is progressive technology, give me a Scorpio or the TUV300 Plus any day!!

[peus017]

On a similar note - I enquired about Hexa almost 6 months ago for Blore location, and looks like I am yet to receive a TD vehicle.

I get calls from dealers on a regular basis (once a month) asking for time and place for TD but never the vehicle.

Not holding anything against TATA, but if they have premium products they also need to raise their CS and Service bar as well.

For all the buzz going around features and AT gearbox, I would say "Early bird catches the worm" If they don't serve it people won't buy it.
Demand <=> Supply

[Madhu_Bengaluru]

Has TATA announced the date of the official price reveal event? Sorry if I its already mentioned in the last couple of pages and I have missed it.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by r0nit7

My theory regarding the Harrier's big time gap between pre-booking and actual launch is that Tata always knew that Harrier would be ready for launch in 2019 only.

Just a guess - could be that the bookings, media launch etc might be to enable the Harrier to compete in the COTY award season coming up - even though customers can get it only in 2019.

That would be a good sales pitch right at launch time.

[mroutlander]

Originally Posted by needforspeed88

cacophony over sunroof and noise insulation seem to be drowning out everything that is great about the Harrier which is extremely unfortunate.

Aptly put. The fundamentals of Harrier are indeed strong, as almost all the reviewers concurred on. It would be unfortunate to let relatively trivial things like engine noise and/or minor ergonomic discrepancies, overshadow the positives of this package of awesomeness.

And on the note of noise insulation, it wouldn't come without adding weight to the car. Although, it would need to be seen how many pounds it gains post-insulation.

[krishnakarthik1]

For me, this is like my favorite super star's average movie. The star's previous movies are all hits, it has a big director, huge cast, the trailer is fantastic, you eagerly wait for months and book tickets but then it just does not live up to the expectations and you have this awkward feeling at the interval.

It could be a commendable effort by Tata but I would really love to see how it's worth the speculative 21 lakhs OTR. Jeep has the perceived badge value. But would really love to understand the specialty here. The fit and finish and interiors are great and so are they on the Creta and Jeep too. The touchscreen on the Creta seems a lot better than the one on the harrier from the reviews. No auto is a huge dent too.

I think the pricing will be very important for the success of harrier. At the current speculated price I don't see many takers. Hyundai will just launch an automatic SX(O) with 6 airbags at 19.5 lakhs and further take it away. The Jeep buyer will always buy a Jeep. Would really love to hear from members here on who is really going to buy the harrier.

BTW, I am super happy Tata Hexa owner. Just completed 15k without even a small hiccup. The vehicle and tata service have both been fantastic. So I have nothing against Tata here. Now I feel at 19.7 lakhs OTR, the price when I bought, what a VFM buy the hexa was!