Both cars are direct rivals of each other due to their pricing, features and powertrain. In terms of pricing, the Tata Harrier has starting price of Rs 15 lakh, while the Jeep Compass has a starting price of Rs 21 lakh. If you want a capable homegrown SUV, the Harrier is that car. You can check out the Harrier price on the autoX domain. With this price difference, you can expect a better number of features in the base model of the Jeep Compass. There are several notable differences between these two locally-produced SUVs. Unlike the Harrier, the Jeep Compass is available in both FWD and 4×4 drivetrains. Speaking of that off-road feature, there are other Jeep cars in the Indian market that come with optional 4×4 and AWD.
There are other features too that make these SUVs knock each other out. So, let’s begin weighing these two vehicles and see how the 2023 Tata Harrier stacks up against the Jeep Compass.
Specifications Comparison
For starters, let’s talk about the underpinning of these two vehicles. As for the Jeep Compass, the American car manufacturer built the Compass on FCA’s Small Wide LWB 4×4 platform, which underpins other cars, such as the Jeep Renegade, Alfa Romeo Tonale, Dodge Hornet, and the Jeep Commander (also called the Meridian in India). On the contrary, the Tata Harrier is built on JLR’s in-house developed D8 platform but a revamped version of it, specifically for the Tata Harrier, the Tata Safari, and a few other Tata cars.
This JLR D8 platform is called OmegaArc, which underpins the Land Rover Discover Sport, Jaguar E-Pace and the Range Rover Evoque. Now, under their bonnets, both SUVs have the same diesel mill. The Tata Harrier is exclusively available with a diesel engine, while the Jeep Compass is available in both petrol and diesel engines. Both have turbocharged engines. As far as the figures go, the petrol version of the Jeep Compass has a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, which is tuned to churn out 160.77 bhp at 5500 rpm and 250 Nm of peak torque at 2500 rpm. On the other hand, the diesel version of the Jeep Compass has the same engine as the Tata Harrier. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel unit, which can produce 167.67 bhp at 3750 rpm and 350 Nm of peak torque at 1750 rpm.
Fuel Tank Capacity
The fuel tank capacities of both petrol and diesel versions are rated at 60 litres. Moreover, if you buy the base model of the Compass, you would get the manual-diesel version of it. Check out the Compass price on the autoX domain.
As for the Harrier, it has the same diesel engine as the Compass, and that too with the same tune. This homegrown SUV is available with a six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed torque converter. The Tata Harrier has a fuel tank capacity of 50 litres.
On the contrary, the petrol version of the Jeep Compass is exclusively available with a seven-speed DCT, whereas the diesel version comes with both six-speed manual and nine-speed automatic gearbox units. And, as mentioned earlier, the Tata Harrier misses out on the All-wheel drivetrain.
Proportions
As far as the dimensions go, the Tata Harrier has a length of 4598mm, a width of 1894mm, and a height of 1706mm. It sits on a wheelbase of 2741mm. On the other hand, the Jeep Compass is 4405mm long, and 1818mm wide with a height of 1640mm. It sits on a wheelbase of 2636mm. Comparing the figures, the Tata Harrier is longer, wider and taller than the Jeep Compass. Further, the Harrier also boasts of having a longer wheelbase than the Compass’s 2636mm. For your reference, the wheelbase usually translates to legroom. Having said that, it should be safe to say that the Harrier boasts better legroom than the Jeep Compass. Therefore, you should check out the Tata Harrier price on the autoX website. The Tata Harrier has a ground clearance of 205mm, while the Jeep Compass has a ground clearance of 195mm. As for the passengers’ accommodations, neither of the SUVs has a seven-seat layout. As far as the boot capacity is concerned, the Tata Harrier has a boot space of 425 litres, while the Jeep Compass has a boot space rated at 438 litres.
Suspension and Tyres
In terms of suspension setups, the Jeep Compass has a McPherson Strut with Lower Control Arm at the front and a Multi-link Suspension with Strut Assembly at the rear. As you may know, Jeep vehicles are known for offering quintessential capabilities off-road. That means, the Compass can absorb the undulations and bumps from potholes with ease. So, it should be safe to say the Jeep Compass’s suspenion tuning is just perfectly suited for Indian roads. On the other hand, the Tata Harrier has an Independent, Lower Wishbone, McPherson Strut with Coil Spring and an Anti Roll-Bar at the front. And, at the rear, it has a Semi-Independent Twist Blade with Panhard Rod and Coil Spring.
This car too is designed by the indigenous car manufacturer- Tata Motors. So, the Harrier is also designed by keeping the conditions of Indian roads in mind. This vehicle shouldn’t let you lament the ride quality either. Interestingly, if you didn’t know this, the Harrier uses a retuned suspenion setup of the Land Rover Discovery! Yes, that’s right! This should promise a superior ride quality over the Jeep Compass. However, it is always recommended to take a test drive of a vehicle, as personal experiences vary from person to person.
Besides those, both the top models of these get disc brakes on all four wheels. The Jeep Compass has a tyre profile of 225/ 55 R18, while the Tata Harrier boasts a bigger tyre profile of 235/60 R18. And, a broader tyre tends to provide more grip, even around the corners. The Tata Harrier has a steel spare, while the Jeep Compass has a space-saver spare wheel.
Driving Assistance and Safety
Both SUVs have a long list of offerings, but this time the Tata Harrier is even more loaded. The Tata Harrier boasts ADAS and its features include autonomous emergency braking for Pedestrian and Cyclist, forward and rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane change alert, and high beam assist. In this segment, the Tata Harrier has entered the ADAS pool along with the Mahindra XUV700. Other safety features of the Tata Harrier include ABS, EBD, ESC, corner stability control, brake disc wiping, drive modes (Normal, Rough and Wet), electronic parking brake with Auto hold, child seat anchorages, and Perimetric alarm system.
On the contrary, the Jeep Compass has an electronic parking brake, adaptive brake lights, electric roll mitigation, double crank prevention system, dynamic steering torque and Frequency Selective Damping (FSD), to name a few. However, unlike the Tata Harrier, the Jeep Compass boasts a tyre pressure monitor and an emergency brake flashlight. It is worth mentioning that FSD on the Jeep Compass was a first-in-segment feature. It dampens the suspension as per the road condition, and that helps a lot in offering a comfortable ride. Last but not least, both vehicles have six airbags. As far as their safety ratings are concerned, the Tata Harrier has a five-star rating in the Global NCAP’s crash test, while the Jeep Compass also has a five-star rating, but in the Euro NCAP’s crash test.
You can, however, check out the curated list of features and specifications of both and head to the ‘Compare Cars’ section on the autoX website.
Prices and Variants
The Tata Harrier is offered in six trims: XE, XM, XMS, XT+, XZ, and XZ+. The top-most trim is the only trim which has ‘Dark’ and ‘Red Dark’ editions. As for the pricing, the Harrier has a starting price of Rs 15 lakh for the base model, the XE, and it goes up to Rs 24.07 lakh for the top model, the XZA+ (O) Red Dark AT. On the other hand, the Jeep Compass is sell in five trims: Sport, Longitude (O), Limited (O), Model S, and Night Eagle. In addition, the American carmaker recently added the 5th Anniversary Editon and the Club Edition versions. The Jeep Compass’s price starts at Rs 21.09 lakh for the base model, the Sport Diesel, and it goes up to Rs 31.29 lakh for the top model, the Model S 4×4 Diesel AT. All are ex-showroom prices, Delhi, as of March 2023. Please note that these prices are subject to change without any prior notice to the customer. You can, however, visit the autoX website to access the latest location-based price list for your dream vehicle.
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