Clash Of Segments: Tata Harrier Vs Hyundai Creta - Which Car To Buy?

Can the new Tata Harrier poach buyers from the Creta’s segment with its value-for-money proposition?

The Tata Harrier has just been launched in India with an aggressive starting price of Rs 12.69 lakh. This ensures that it competes with a lot of cars which are priced above and below it. And one such car is the best-selling compact SUV in the country, the Hyundai Creta. While we suggested before the launch of the Harrier that the new SUV will encroach into the Creta’s territory somewhat, the Harrier’s price tag has ensured that it is not just a passing competition to the Creta but rather a bigger and more value-for-money alternative. The Creta is priced between Rs 9.50 lakh and Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) while the Harrier is priced between Rs 12.69 lakh and Rs 16.25 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).

But before starting off the comparison, let’s have a look at the basic differences between the two SUVs.

Hyundai Creta	Tata Harrier
Powertrain options: The Creta can be had in a host of powertrain configurations with a manual and automatic transmission available with both petrol and diesel engines.	Powertrain options: The Harrier is available with a single diesel engine that can, for now, only be had with a manual transmission.
Size: The Creta is big, but compared to its direct rivals like the Renault Duster, Captur and Nissan Terrano, it feels a bit cramped on the inside.	Size: The Harrier has thrown the size debate out the window with even the Tucson, Hyundai’s flagship SUV in India, being dwarfed by the Tata.
Segment Competition: The Creta’s main rivals are the Maruti S-Cross, Renault Captur and Nissan Kicks.	Segment Competition: The Harrier will go up against the Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and Mahindra Scorpio.

Dimension Comparison

Measurements	Hyundai Creta	Tata Harrier
Length	4270mm	4598mm
Width	1780mm	1894mm
Height	1665mm	1706mm
Wheelbase	2590mm	2741mm
Ground Clearance	190mm	205mm
Boot Space	400 litres	425 litres

Engine Comparison

Engine	Hyundai Creta	Tata Harrier
Displacement	1.6-litre	2.0-litre
Power	128PS	140PS
Torque	260Nm	350Nm
Transmission	6-speed MT/AT	6-speed MT
Fuel Efficiency	20.5kmpl/17.6kmpl	16.79kmpl

Let’s first take a look at the price of different variants of the Creta and Harrier and see which variants of the two are priced close together.

Hyundai Creta Variant	Price	Tata Harrier Variant	Price
1.4 CRDi E+	Rs 10 lakh
1.4 CRDi S	Rs 11.80 lakh
1.6 CRDi SX	Rs 13.34 lakh
		XE	Rs 12.69 lakh
1.6 CRDi SX Dual Tone	Rs 13.84 lakh	XM	Rs 13.75 lakh
1.6 CRDi SX (O)	Rs 15.10 lakh	XT	Rs 14.95 lakh
		XZ	Rs 16.25 lakh

Disclaimer: We are only picking diesel variants of the Creta as the Harrier is not yet offered with a petrol engine. We will also not be picking up the automatic variants of the Creta for this comparison as the Harrier is not offered with an automatic transmission either. We will be picking variants that are priced between Rs 50,000 of each other for the comparison. By looking at the table above, you can make out that there are two variants each of the Creta and Harrier that overlap with each other within the set parameters.

Also Read: Tata Harrier First Drive Review

Variant Comparison

Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDi SX Dual Tone Vs Tata Harrier XM

Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDi SX Dual Tone	Tata Harrier XM	Difference
Rs 13.84 lakh	Rs 13.75 lakh	Rs 9,000 (Creta is more expensive)

Common features: ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, front fog lamps, rear wiper and washer, follow-me-home headlamps, projector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), turn indicators on ORVMs, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four speakers + two tweeters, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, steering-mounted controls, height adjustable driver’s seat, electrically-adjustable ORVMs, rear AC vents, LED tail lamps.

What the Creta 1.6 CRDi SX Dual Tone gets over the Harrier XM: Rear defogger, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear camera, cruise control, key fob with push button start-stop, auto climate control, electrically-foldable ORVMs, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charger.

What the Harrier XM gets over the Creta 1.6 CRDi SX Dual Tone: Telescopic steering wheel, multi drive modes (eco, city, sport).

Verdict: This one is a hands down win for the Hyundai Creta. When talking of features, the Creta is offers a host of them over the Harrier. And all these extra goodies for a premium of just Rs 9,000 seems like a steal. Round 1 goes to the Hyundai Creta.

Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDi SX (O) Vs Tata Harrier XT

Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDi SX(O)	Tata Harrier XT	Difference
Rs 15.10 lakh	Rs 14.95 lakh	Rs 15,000 (Creta is more expensive)

Common features (over previous variants): 17-inch alloy wheels, rear camera, cruise control, auto climate control, key fob with push button start-stop, electrically-foldable ORVMs, Apple CarPlay (this feature will be available on the Harrier soon), Android Auto and rear defogger.

What the Creta 1.6 CRDi SX (O) gets over the Harrier XT: Six airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management control, hill start assist control, auto-dimming IRVM, height-adjustable front seatbelts, sunroof, 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, smart key band and wireless smartphone charger.

What the Harrier XT gets over the Creta 1.6 CRDi SX (O): Telescopic steering wheel, dual function DRLs with turn indicators, multi drive modes 2.0 (eco, city, sport), eight speakers, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, 8-way manually adjustable driver seat and cooled storage box.

Verdict: Round 2 goes to the Creta too. You might be surprised at this one but the Hyundai Creta offers the option of six airbags as well as electronic stability control and vehicle stability management control in the SX (O) variant. While the Harrier does offer some basics in this price segment like auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, the safety package of the Creta is too compelling to ignore.

Why Buy The Hyundai Creta?

Multiple powertrain options: If finding the right powertrain setup is a task for you, then the Hyundai Creta will definitely appeal to you. It can be had with both petrol and diesel engines. And there is not one, but two diesel engines on offer. Apart from that, you can opt for an automatic transmission with either the petrol or diesel (1.6-litre only) engine.

Sunroof: The top-spec Hyundai Creta can be had with a sunroof, an option that is missing on the Harrier. So if the lack of a sunroof is a deal breaker for you, then go for the Creta. Also, the Creta gets other useful features like wireless charging for your smartphone, auto-dimming IRVM and electrically-adjustable driver seat.

Why Buy The Tata Harrier?

Size: Saying that the Harrier is big could be a bit of an understatement. That is because the Harrier manages to dwarf its competition when it comes to size. The Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and the likes pale in comparison when stood next to the Harrier. It even manages to dwarf over the Creta’s big brother, the Tucson. If size and road presence is your priority, put your money down on the Harrier with your eyes closed.

Ground Clearance: The Harrier has a massive 205mm of ground clearance, meaning it will go over most obstacles thrown its way with relative ease. The Creta has a ground clearance of 190mm. And while it is in no way less, it is at a slight disadvantage when compared to Harrier while tackling the really rough stuff. So if you frequent places where the tarmac becomes a distant spec in your rearview mirror, the Harrier is the option to go for.

Read More on : Harrier diesel