Harrier petrol has finally arrived, marking the end of a five-year wait that has tested the patience of countless Indian SUV enthusiasts. On December 9, 2025, Tata Motors unveiled what many consider the missing piece in their flagship SUV portfolio, a modern, refined petrol powertrain that promises to transform the driving experience of this beloved five-seater.
The announcement sent ripples through the Indian automotive market. For years, the Harrier operated exclusively with a diesel engine, leaving a significant chunk of urban buyers searching for alternatives. With tightening emission norms, diesel restrictions in metropolitan cities, and evolving buyer preferences, this Harrier petrol introduction could not have come at a better time.
The Hyperion Heart: What Powers the Harrier Petrol
At the centre of this transformation lies Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre Hyperion TGDi turbo-petrol engine, a powerplant that has been in development for over half a decade. First showcased at Auto Expo 2023, this engine represents Tata Motors’ most ambitious powertrain project to date.
The specifications tell a compelling story. The Harrier petrol produces 170 PS of maximum power at 5,000 rpm and delivers 280 Nm of peak torque between 1,750 and 3,500 rpm. This makes it the most powerful petrol engine currently in Tata’s passenger vehicle portfolio.
Engineering Excellence Behind the Harrier Petrol Engine
Tata has engineered this powerplant with remarkable attention to detail. The engine features an aluminium construction that contributes to an approximate 80 kg weight reduction compared to the diesel variant. An electronically actuated variable geometry turbocharger ensures optimal boost across the rev range, while 350-bar gasoline direct injection delivers precise fuel atomisation for improved efficiency and response.
The Hyperion engine employs Miller-cycle combustion with the segment’s highest compression ratio, optimising thermal efficiency without compromising performance. Tata has integrated AI and ML-driven systems including Smart Shift Assist and Launch Assist, technologies that adapt to driving patterns and conditions in real time.
Harrier Petrol: Performance and Refinement
Motors77 Performance Rating: 8/10
The Hyperion turbo-petrol delivers surprisingly strong performance for its size. Skeptics might question whether a 1.5-litre engine belongs in a large SUV, but in practice, the Harrier petrol silences all doubts with conviction.
What makes the Harrier petrol particularly impressive is that Tata has specifically tuned this engine for this heavier application. The 1.5-litre turbocharged unit makes 10 hp and 25 Nm more than the Sierra, reflecting purposeful calibration for the added mass. Final figures stand at 170 hp at 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm available between 1,750 and 3,500 rpm.
Real-World Acceleration and Drivability
Crucially, Tata has profiled the power and torque curves to account for the Harrier’s kerb weight. The engine produces a healthy 160 Nm at just 1,000 rpm, ensuring strong low-end pull that makes city driving and parking manoeuvres effortless. This bottom-end strength is where the Hyperion truly shines.
The Harrier petrol picks up speed with remarkable ease. Preliminary instrumented testing suggests a 0–100 km/h time of approximately 10.3 seconds, a figure that puts many doubts to rest and places the Harrier comfortably in sports sedan territory for a vehicle of this size.
Turbo lag is minimal, and power delivery feels linear throughout the rev range. Throttle response is crisp, although the difference between the three drive modes Eco, City, and Sport remains subtle rather than transformative. For those venturing onto unpaved surfaces, three terrain modes help the SUV find traction in challenging conditions.
Transmission Excellence in Harrier Petrol
The engine pairs with either a 6-speed manual or an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque-converter automatic, and the latter would be our recommendation. The automatic’s ratios are well-matched to the engine’s character, keeping it on the boil without hunting for gears unnecessarily.
Shifts are smooth and seamless, executed with the kind of refinement you expect at this price point. Paddle shifters are available for those who want manual control, though you rarely feel the need to use them. One quirk worth noting is that engaging the paddles automatically switches the drive mode to Sport, and reverting to Auto mode takes longer than expected.
Refinement and NVH Levels
The engine runs smooth with barely any vibrations across the rev range, a marked improvement over earlier Tata petrol units. However, one area where the Harrier petrol could improve is cabin insulation. The engine note becomes audible from as low as 1,500 rpm. It never sounds coarse or unrefined, but the intrusion is more noticeable than what you might expect from a premium petrol SUV.
Braking performance deserves praise, thanks to disc brakes at all four corners. The pedal feel is progressive, and stopping power inspires confidence whether scrubbing speed on highways or navigating city traffic.
Features and Technology in Harrier Petrol
The Harrier petrol retains all the premium features that have made this SUV successful in the Indian market. Tata has introduced a new top-spec variant, Fearless Ultra, that brings additional technology borrowed from the Harrier EV.
Interior Highlights of Harrier Petrol
The cabin showcases a 36.9 cm cinematic infotainment display powered by Samsung Neo QLED technology, claimed to be a world-first in an ICE vehicle. The digital cockpit includes a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, touch-based HVAC controls, and an advanced VisionEX digital IRVM with built-in dash camera functionality.
Interior themes have been refreshed with distinctive options. The Harrier petrol introduces Oyster White and Titan Brown themes with Benecke Kaliko leatherette upholstery. The SUV features ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, powered tailgate, and a Dolby Atmos sound system.
Additional Features in Harrier Petrol
The Fearless Ultra variant of the Harrier petrol brings several thoughtful additions that elevate daily usability. The upgraded 14.5-inch QLED touchscreen infotainment system offers sharper visuals and improved responsiveness, complemented by built-in navigation with Alexa integration. A standout feature is the camera washer functionality, where activating the windshield sprinklers also cleans the surround-view cameras, ensuring clear feed visibility in all conditions. Other practical additions include memory ORVMs with auto reverse-dip function, a sliding armrest for enhanced comfort, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Safety Credentials of Harrier Petrol
Safety remains a cornerstone of Tata’s proposition. The Harrier petrol carries a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and comes equipped with Level 2+ ADAS featuring 22 advanced driver assistance functions. These include adaptive cruise control with smart lane centring assist, lane keep assist, intelligent speed assist, and autonomous emergency braking.
Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, electronic stability control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold assist, a 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors. The robust OMEGARC architecture derived from Land Rover’s D8 platform provides excellent structural integrity.
Design and Dimensions
Visually, the Harrier petrol maintains its signature bold stance with LED matrix headlamps, connected tail-lamp strips, and sculpted haunches that have defined its road presence. The SUV retains its 4.6-metre muscular stance with a sportier profile that distinguishes it from larger three-row offerings.
New exterior colour options include the bold Nitro Crimson shade and a sporty Carbon Black finish. Tata has also reintroduced the popular Red Dark edition featuring a blacked-out exterior with red accents for buyers seeking a sportier aesthetic. The Harrier petrol rides on 18-inch Lunar Graphite alloy wheels that complement its aggressive styling.
Harrier Petrol vs Competition
The introduction of the petrol variant allows Tata to compete more effectively in the Indian SUV market. The five-seat Harrier petrol now takes on the MG Hector, Jeep Compass, and even mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder that retail at similar price points.
With the exception of the diesel-only Jeep Compass, all major rivals already offered both petrol and diesel options, a gap Tata has now comprehensively addressed with the Harrier petrol.
Expected Pricing for Harrier Petrol
While official prices are yet to be announced, the Harrier petrol is expected to be positioned slightly lower than its diesel counterpart. Currently, the diesel Harrier is priced between ₹14 lakh and ₹25.25 lakh ex-showroom.
Industry estimates suggest the Harrier petrol could start approximately ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh lower than equivalent diesel variants, making this flagship SUV accessible to a wider audience. The variant distribution spans Smart, Pure, Adventure, and Fearless trims with Dark, Stealth, and Ultra editions expanding buyer choice.
Why the Harrier Petrol Matters
The timing of this launch reflects strategic thinking from Tata Motors. With diesel restrictions tightening in major metropolitan areas and buyer preferences shifting towards petrol powertrains, the Harrier petrol offers peace of mind without compromising on performance or practicality.
For buyers who have admired the Harrier but hesitated due to the diesel-only limitation, this launch removes a significant barrier. The Hyperion engine adds lightness, smoothness, and a more approachable character while maintaining the capability that has made this SUV successful.
Motors77 Verdict
The Harrier petrol represents a significant milestone for Tata Motors and for Indian buyers who have waited patiently for this powertrain option. The Hyperion engine is not merely an addition to the lineup; it fundamentally enhances the ownership proposition of this flagship five-seater.
From a performance standpoint, the 8/10 rating is well-earned. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit punches above its displacement, delivering 170 hp and 280 Nm with linear power delivery and minimal turbo lag. The 0–100 km/h sprint of approximately 10.3 seconds proves that size is no excuse for sluggishness. The Aisin automatic transmission complements the engine beautifully, making the Harrier petrol remarkably easy to live with daily.
For urban buyers in cities with diesel restrictions, the choice is now straightforward. For highway cruisers and long-distance drivers, the diesel still makes sense given its superior fuel efficiency and torque advantage. The beauty of this launch lies in the freedom of choice it provides.
Minor gripes remain. The engine note could be better isolated, and drive mode differences feel subtle. However, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise impressive package. If you have been eyeing the Harrier but held back due to the absence of a petrol option, December 2025 marks the right time to revisit this impressive machine. With a 5-star safety rating, comprehensive features, and now a refined petrol heart, the Harrier petrol is finally the complete package it always deserved to be.
The same Hyperion family also underpins Tata’s future powertrains. Read our deep technical breakdown of the Tata Sierra 1.5 NA Atkinson cycle engine to understand how Tata is engineering efficiency and performance together.
https://www.motors77.com/tata-sierra-1-5-na-atkinson-cycle-engine/
