Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier Comparison – Price, Specs, Dimensions

In this edition of the comparisons section, we are going to see the competition between the newcomer, the Skoda Kushaq and the popular SUV from Tata Motors, the Harrier to see who comes out on top. The Harrier has gained some following among the customers because of its feature-rich cabin and bold and modern looks. The features list of the Harrier knows no end and the quality inside the cabin also looks like it belongs to a car a segment above. The Skoda Kushaq, on the other hand, boasts of having the DNA of great handling and driving machines from the Czech carmaker. The looks of the Kushaq are very muscular and sporty. The sporty creases on the body represent the brand it stands for evidently. Let us compare the two SUVs in our detailed Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier comparison here to help you figure out the differences in the prices, dimensions, specs and features of the two models.

Also read: Skoda Kushaq vs MG Hector – Features, Engines, Prices and Tech Comparison!

Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier – Exterior and Dimensions

Skoda has been able to retain a lot from the Vision IN concept that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. This means that the Kushaq features a very bold and muscular exterior with a typical butterfly front grille, split crystalline LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a chunky bumper with skid plates and an upright stance. The sharp creases all around make it unmistakably Skoda and the sides are accentuated by 17-inch dual-tone alloys, practical roof rails and sporty. At the rear, the LED tail lamps around the corners make the car look wider, the skid plates under the rear bumper, the chrome strip running across the width of the SUV makes the rear modern and sophisticated.

The Tata Harrier is based on Tata’s award-winning Impact 2.0 strategy which makes the Harrier’s presence on the road very dominating indeed. The front-end of the SUV is busy with Xenon HID Projector Headlamps on the bumper and the sleek LED DRLs on the bonnet with integrated turn indicators, broad front grille, sporty bumpers and tall stance. The sides host 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, Aerodynamic Electrically foldable ORVMs, chrome finish on the window belt, floating roof effect and chrome outside door handles. The rear is very sophisticated with a sleek LED tail lamp cluster, Shark Fin Antenna, a glass strip connecting the tail lamps, a rear spoiler and a sport rear bumper. Overall, the external appearance of the Harrier does have a wow factor, which makes it a winner of this part of our Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier comparison.

Also read: Skoda Kushaq vs Kia Seltos – Prices, Engines, Features Comparison!

The exterior dimensions of the Harrier are much higher than that of Kushaq. This includes all the parameters including the wheelbase and boot space. The higher ground clearance makes it extremely suitable for off-roading adventures. But the Kushaq looks SUV enough according to its dimensions.

Also read: Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta – Prices, Features and Tech Comparison!

Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier Comparison – Interior

The Skoda Kushaq boasts of an impressive features list and has all the modern amenities, features and connectivity. This includes a free-standing 10-inch Digital Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Connected Car Tech with a ton of features, pre-installed Apps, Wireless charging, Automatic Climate Control with touch inputs, two-spoke multi-purpose Steering Wheel, White Ambient Lighting, LED Reading Lights, chrome-plated Door handles, chrome bits at various places inside the cabin, 6-speakers Skoda Audio System with extra subwoofer in the Spare Wheel well and much more. The special Skoda simply clever bits include a non-slip base in a cup holder, a ticket holder on A-Pillar, bag hooks in the boot, a phone box in the front fro the smartphone and smartphone storage pockets on the front seatbacks.

The features list of the Harrier is quite extensive. This includes functions like an 8.8-inch floating island Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 9 Speaker JBL Audio System, Voice Recognition, Steering-mounted Audio Controls, a 7-inch Colour TFT Instrument Display, 6-way Powered Driver’s Seat, Cruise Control, Glove Box with Laptop Tray, Cooled Storage Compartments, 28 Intelligent Storage Spaces (umbrellas, cups and more), Premium Leather Upholstery, Signature Oak Brown Dashboard, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Gear Lever, Airplane Lever-like Parking Brake, Large Panoramic Sunroof, Ambient Mood Lighting, Automatic Temperature Control, Bluetooth Connectivity and much more.

Also read: Mid-size SUV segment sales report for February 2021 – Creta, Seltos, Harrier and Hector!

Also read: Over 80% sales in February 2021 came from petrol powertrains!

Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier Comparison – Specs

The Skoda Kushaq comes with the legendary 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, making 115 PS and 175 Nm and its bigger sibling, the 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol unit making 150 PS and 250 Nm in action with the Kushaq. Complementing the 1.0-litre engine will be a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The larger 1.5-litre unit will come mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG (DCT) gearbox. The Harrier comes with a sole 2.0-litre turbocharged Kryotec diesel engine making 170 PS and 350 Nm paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. There are various terrain modes to choose from.

Mileage and Safety

The Skoda Kushaq is a petrol-only model that is available with two turbocharged options – 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre. On the other hand, the Tata Harrier is available only with a diesel heart in the form of a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit. The mileage figures for the Kushaq start at 15.78 kmpl and go up to 17.88 kmpl. On the other hand, the Harrier offers 14.63 kmpl, which makes it less fuel-efficient than the Kushaq. However, the Harrier is a diesel-sipping model instead of the petrol-only Kushaq. It’s also bigger, heavier and offers more grunt.

On the safety front, the Kushaq comes equipped with 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD and ESC, Hill-Hold Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Multi-Collision Brake, Three-point Seatbelt, Front and rear parking sensors with Camera and much more. Tata is known for making the safest cars and Harrier is no exception. The Harrier comes with 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, Auto-dimming IRVMs, Hill-Hold Control Hill-Descent Control, Front Fog Lamps with Cornering Function, Roll Over Mitigation, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Front and Rear Parking Sensors with Camera and much more. Both these SUVs come well-equipped with a ton of safety features. It must be noted here that both the SUVs in this comparison are yet to be tested by Global NCAP, which means we have no option but to wait for the definite word before passing the right judgement on the safety aspect.

Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier Comparison – Price*

The top-spec Skoda Kushaq has been priced at Rs 17.60 lakh, while the most expensive Tata Harrier retails for Rs 20.81 lakh. Even if you compare the base models, there’s quite a difference in the pricing as the base Kushaq goes for Rs 10.50 lakh but the entry-level Harrier is priced at Rs 14.29 lakh. Even the top-spec 1.0-litre variant of the Kushaq costs Rs 15.80 lakh as compared to mid-spec Harrier costing Rs 16.86 lakh. Hence, even though there’s some price overlap between the two SUVs, it’s the Harrier which is clearly more expensive. Of course, it even offers more in terms of dimensions and specs but it’s clearly a more expensive product. This, in spite of the fact that the Kushaq itself is quite overpriced if you take into account models like the Creta and the Seltos. However, all said and done, in this part of our comparison, it’s the Skoda Kushaq that has a clear advantage over the Tata Harrier.

Also read: Car Sales Report for February 2021 – Brief Overview!

Verdict

These two SUVs are very different in characteristics and hence the decision will lie with the customer and how he wants to use it and what his/her requirements are. For instance, there is only one option if someone looking for either a petrol or a diesel option. Also, the practicality and utilitarian aspects of both these SUVs are different. Tata Harrier is for someone who would like a big SUV with huge boot space and high ground clearance to enjoy weekends off-roading somewhere. The Kushaq, on the other hand, is more suitable for urban buyers who will mostly drive on the highways and cities with its brilliant handling and driving characteristics. Each of these SUVs has specific customers as its target audience and hence, it’s tough to pick up a clear winner of our Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Harrier comparison.

Also read: Tata aims for 10% market share by the end of next fiscal year with Safari and HBX (Hornbill)!

*ex-showroom