Our Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison reviews all the details of the two SUVs
The Tata Harrier is the new flagship from the country’s most successful UV maker. Based on the H5X concept that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018, the Harrier will be the most advanced car from its manufacturer. It will be the first model to be designed as per the company’s IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy. It will also become the first Tata car to borrow components from Jaguar Land Rover. Finally, it will be the carmaker’s first-ever 5-seater premium SUV.
An interesting part about the Tata Harrier will be its positioning. The new model will find itself slotted between the Hyundai Creta on one end and the Mahindra XUV500 on the other. While the XUV500, being a 7-seater model, won’t be a direct rival of the production-spec H5X, the two will lock horns in terms of pricing. Our Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison review will compare the two SUVs on many important aspects.
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Price Comparison
| Model | Price Range |
| Mahindra XUV500 | Rs 12.56 lakh – 19.26 Lakh (ex-showroom) |
| Tata Harrier | Rs 13 lakh – 18 lakh (approx) |
While the Tata Harrier is a 5-seater SUV, the Mahindra XUV500 is a larger 7-seater model that is even bigger in dimensions. However, the two will be priced very closely to each other. The Mahindra XUV500, which got a facelift earlier this year, is on sale at an ex-showroom price range of Rs 12.56 lakh to 19.26 lakh. In comparison, the Tata Harrier is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 13 lakh to Rs 18 lakh.
While the Tata Harrier will be priced bang in the middle of the Mahindra XUV500 territory, it will be much smaller in terms of dimensions and the number of seats. Still, it will hold an edge over the Mahindra flagship as it will look much fresher, have an almost equally powerful engine, a modern platform, and more features.
The Mahindra XUV500, on the other hand, might come across as an older product but should appeal to all those who have been looking for a sufficiently spacious 7-seater SUV that has a higher street presence owing to its large dimensions.
Also, the XUV500 is available with a petrol engine option, which is something that is not available on the Tata Harrier. In terms of value for money factor, however, the Harrier should be the winner of this part of Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison.
See Also – Tata Harrier vs Hyundai Creta Comparison Review
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Specifications Comparison
| Specs | Tata Harrier | Mahindra XUV500 |
| Engine | 2.0-litre Multijet II turbocharged diesel | 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel/2.2-litre petrol |
| Maximum Power | 140 PS | 155 PS/140 PS |
| Peak Torque | 350 Nm | 365 Nm/320 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
Out of the two, it’s only the Mahindra XUV500 that is available in both petrol and diesel engines. The diesel engine option comes in the form of a 2.2-litre turbocharged unit that outputs a max. power of 155 PS along with a peak torque of 365 Nm.
The petrol version has been derived from the diesel unit but is available in a naturally aspirated form. It offers 140 PS and 365 Nm. The diesel engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the petrol engine is on sale with a 6-speed automatic gearbox only. AWD is optional on the diesel version.
In comparison, the Tata Harrier will be available only with a diesel engine option. The new SUV will be powered by the Fiat-sourced Multijet II diesel engine that powers the Jeep Compass. However, it will have a lower output of 140 PS of maximum power with a peak torque of 350 Nm. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.
On paper, the Mahindra XUV500 is more powerful than the Tata Harrier but real life scenario should be a lot different. This is because the Harrier is bound to be lighter than the XUV500. Also, the new Tata SUV will be an FWD model only but the XUV offers an AWD.
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Mileage Comparison
| Mileage | Tata Harrier | Mahindra XUV500 |
| ARAI-certified | 17-18 kmpl (expected) | 14.0 kmpl (diesel)
13.85 kmpl (petrol) |
The Mahindra XUV500 is available in both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol model, which is on sale only with an automatic transmission, has an ARAI-certified mileage of 13.85 kmpl. Both the manual and automatic versions of the diesel engine variant output 14 kmpl.
The Tata Harrier gets the same motor that powers the Jeep Compass but in a less powerful state. This gives us a good idea about the mileage that we can expect the new Tata SUV to offer. The manual gearbox-equipped versions of the Harrier should return a mileage of 18 kmpl, while the petrol versions should offer a fuel efficiency of roughly 17 kmpl.
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Dimensions Comparison
| Dimensions | Tata Harrier | Mahindra XUV500 |
| Overall length | 4,575 mm | 4,585 mm |
| Overall width | 1,950 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Overall height | 1,686 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,740 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 200 mm | 200 mm |
Tata Motors is yet to reveal the dimensions of the Harrier. But we think that they will be almost the same as those of the H5X concept that made its public debut at the 2018 Auto Expo in February this year. The concept measured 4,575mm in length, 1,950mm in width and 1,686 mm in height. It had a wheelbase of 2,740mm. The ground clearance of the production version should be roughly 200 mm.
Interestingly, in spite of being a 7-seater model, the XUV500 will be only 10 mm longer. Plus, it won’t be as wide and will have a shorter wheelbase. It will be taller though. It has a ground clearance of 200 mm.
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Design Comparison
Like we keep on saying, the design is a matter of personal tastes and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion on the looks of a particular model. But one thing that is very clear is that the Harrier looks more modern than the XUV500. Also, with almost similar dimensions, it should have a slightly higher road presence due to the fresh looks.
The Harrier has been designed as per the company’s Impact 2.0 design theme. The interesting areas of the design include a dynamic beltline, a multi-level headlight setup, and stylish wraparound LED tail lamps. Like Pratap Bose, Design Head, Tata Motors promised, it looks a lot like the H5X concept.
The Mahindra XUV500 has started getting a bit long in the tooth now. It received a facelift a few months ago but that can’t hide the age of the old design. We don’t think the SUV looks bad or anything like that but it’s just that the XUV500 doesn’t look special anymore.
Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 Comparison Review – Verdict
Price – Both the models will be closely matched in this aspect. Hence, those who want a fresher SUV that looks better, offers more features, and a better platform and engine combination can choose the Harrier. Those who want more seats and higher ruggedness can go for the XUV500.
Specifications – In spite of being less powerful than the XUV500 on the paper, the Harrier should have a better on-road performance due to lighter weight. However, unlike the XUV500, it doesn’t offer AWD or a petrol engine.
Mileage – The Harrier will be more fuel efficient than the XUV500 owing to lower weight and a smaller engine.
Dimensions – Even though the XUV500 is a 7-seater variant, it will have only slightly larger dimensions than the Harrier. The Harrier should have a longer wheelbase. Hence, we can’t find a clear winner in this part of our Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison review.
Design – The design is a matter of personal choice but between the two, the Harrier looks fresher. On the other hand, the XUV500 looks more rugged.
From this, it gets clear that those who want a fresh SUV that has a world-class engine and platform, more features, and lower fuel consumption can go for the new Tata SUV. Those who want a 7-seater model that has 4×4 or petrol engine option can go for the XUV500. But the new kid on the block is definitely the clear winner of our Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV500 comparison review.