Tata Harrier Petrol Review: 9 Powerful Reasons Why Hyperion Engine Changes Everything

Tata Harrier Petrol finally answers one of the biggest questions Indian SUV buyers have been asking for years – “Why no petrol option?”
With the arrival of the new 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo-petrol engine, Tata Motors has not only filled that gap but also redefined what petrol performance can feel like in a large, premium SUV.

We drove the Tata Harrier petrol extensively to understand whether this new engine delivers the refinement petrol buyers expect, while retaining the Harrier’s legendary ride quality and road presence. Here’s the complete, human-first, no-nonsense review.

Tata Harrier Petrol: Why This Launch Matters

When the Tata Motors Harrier debuted in 2019, being diesel-only wasn’t a deal-breaker. Diesel SUVs dominated the segment back then. But fast forward to 2025, and buyer preferences have changed dramatically.

Petrol engines are now preferred for refinement
Urban buyers have lower running requirements
Diesel restrictions and negative sentiment continue

Tata itself claims that nearly 30% of premium SUV buyers now choose petrol, making the launch of the Tata Harrier petrol not just logical—but essential.

Tata Harrier Petrol Exterior Design & Engineering

Visually, the Tata Harrier petrol remains identical to its diesel sibling—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

What Works Well

Strong, muscular SUV stance
Bold front grille with tasteful detailing
Slim connected LED DRLs (no overdone lighting gimmicks)
Full-width LED tail-lamps still look premium

Apart from the new Crimson Nitro colour, there’s nothing to visually differentiate the petrol version. While some buyers may have appreciated subtle “Petrol” badging, the Harrier’s design still looks modern even years after its facelift.

Wheels & Practical Additions

18-inch black alloys on Fearless Ultra
19-inch alloys on Fearless Ultra Red Dark
Front and rear camera washers – extremely useful in Indian monsoons

Verdict: Familiar, handsome, but Tata could’ve added small visual cues to highlight the new petrol identity.

Tata Harrier Petrol Interior: Space, Comfort & Ergonomics

Step inside the Tata Harrier petrol, and the cabin immediately feels brighter and more premium.

Cabin Design & Quality

Lighter Oyster White theme (borrowed from Safari)
Faux wood inserts with silver pin-striping
Piano black surfaces add premium appeal

However, some ergonomic quirks persist, and they’re worth mentioning honestly:

Wireless charger placement is awkward
Touch-based HVAC controls are fiddly while driving
Digital driver display (10.25-inch) is pushed deep into the dash
Driver’s knee brushes against the centre console on bad roads

Seating Comfort

Despite these niggles, comfort remains excellent:

High seating position with commanding visibility
Wide, well-cushioned front seats
Rear bench is supportive with ample legroom
Winged headrests enhance comfort for rear passengers

Boot space remains 445 litres, unchanged from the diesel.

Tata Harrier Petrol Features & Safety

This is where the Tata Harrier petrol truly shines.

Infotainment & Tech

Borrowed from the Harrier EV, the new:

14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED touchscreen
Crisp resolution and fast response
Built-in apps and media streaming while parked

Paired with:

10-speaker JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos
One of the best sound experiences in the segment

Advanced Features

Digital rear-view mirror (with dashcam function)
360-degree camera system
Ventilated front seats
Powered driver seat with memory
Panoramic sunroof
Customisable ambient lighting

Safety & ADAS

6 airbags standard
ABS, EBD, ESP across variants
Level 2 ADAS on higher trims
5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating

ADAS performance is well-calibrated, offering confidence without intrusive corrections.

Tata Harrier Petrol Engine & Performance: Hyperion Delivers

Under the hood lies the star of the show—the 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo-petrol engine, previously seen in the Sierra but tuned specifically for the Harrier.

Engine Specs

Power: 170 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 280 Nm (1,750–3,500 rpm)
Early torque delivery: 160 Nm at just 1,000 rpm

Despite skepticism around a 1.5-litre engine in a large SUV, real-world performance is impressive.

Driving Experience

Strong low-end torque
Minimal turbo lag
Smooth, linear acceleration
0–100 km/h in ~10.5 seconds (estimated)

The engine doesn’t rev high, but that’s intentional—it prioritizes effortless cruising over aggressive top-end thrills.

Tata Harrier Petrol Automatic vs Manual

The Hyperion petrol is offered with:

6-speed Manual
6-speed Aisin torque-converter Automatic

The automatic gearbox is clearly the better match:

Smooth shifts
Excellent ratio spread
Rarely requires paddle intervention

Manual purists may enjoy the MT, but for city and highway comfort, the AT is the pick.

Tata Harrier Petrol Ride Quality & Handling

This remains a Harrier stronghold.

Excellent bump absorption
Firm yet comfortable suspension
Rock-solid high-speed stability
Reduced body roll despite SUV size

With the petrol being around 80 kg lighter than the diesel, agility improves slightly, especially during quick direction changes.

Steering calibration is well-judged—light in the city, reassuring on highways.

Tata Harrier Petrol Fuel Efficiency

Official mileage figures are yet to be announced.

Tata claims best-in-class fuel efficiency, even recording 25.9 kmpl under controlled conditions, though real-world expectations will be far lower.

Based on initial drives:

Expect ~9–11 kmpl in city
~12–14 kmpl on highways

A full road test will reveal more accurate numbers.

Tata Harrier Petrol Price & Verdict

Expected pricing:

₹13 lakh to ₹24.5 lakh (ex-showroom)
Around ₹50,000–₹80,000 cheaper than diesel variants

Final Verdict

The Tata Harrier petrol is a surprisingly complete package.

What it gets right:

Smooth, refined petrol performance
Outstanding ride quality
Feature-rich cabin
Strong safety credentials

What could be better:

Minor ergonomic issues
No visual differentiation from diesel

If your running is low to moderate and you value refinement over diesel grunt, the Tata Harrier petrol makes a strong, compelling case in the premium SUV space.