Tata’s all-wheel-drive Harrier EV is about to become a lot more attainable – roughly ₹2.5 lakh cheaper, going by how the variant ladder is structured. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters.
What’s the News?
Right now, the Tata Harrier EV’s AWD system – branded Quad Wheel Drive (QWD) – is only offered on the top-spec Empowered 75 4WD variant.
Tata’s Chief Commercial Officer has confirmed that, thanks to stronger-than-expected demand (about 30% of Harrier EV sales are QWD, vs 20% originally expected), Tata will offer the AWD tech on lower, more affordable trims as well.
That’s where the “cheaper by ₹2.5 lakh” bit comes in.
Where Does the ₹2.5 Lakh Saving Come From?
Let’s look at the current Harrier EV price ladder (ex-showroom, with 3.3 kW charger):
- Fearless Plus 75 (RWD, 75 kWh) – ₹24.99 lakh
- Empowered 75 (RWD, 75 kWh) – ₹27.49 lakh
- Empowered 75 4WD (QWD) – ₹28.99 lakh
Notice two things:
- Moving from Fearless Plus 75 → Empowered 75 (same 75 kWh, still RWD) costs ₹2.5 lakh extra.
- Adding 4WD to the Empowered 75 costs ₹1.5 lakh more.
Now, Autocar and MotorOctane both indicate that Tata plans to bring the QWD system to a lower trim – most likely the Fearless 75 (or an equivalent mid-spec variant with the big battery).
If Tata keeps the same AWD price jump (~₹1.5 lakh over the RWD version), then a “Fearless 75 QWD” would likely sit around:
₹24.99 lakh (Fearless 75 RWD) + ₹1.5 lakh ≈ ₹26.5 lakh
Compare that to today’s ₹28.99 lakh Empowered 75 QWD, and you’re looking at roughly ₹2.5 lakh lower entry price for an AWD Harrier EV – with the same 75 kWh battery and dual-motor setup.
So the AWD system itself isn’t being “made cheaper”;
Tata is simply offering it on a less expensive trim, cutting the buy-in price by about ₹2.5 lakh.
What Kind of AWD are we talking about?
Tata’s QWD setup on the Harrier EV is a proper dual-motor all-wheel-drive system:
- 75 kWh battery only
- Rear PMSM motor (primary) + front induction motor
- Combined output: ~313 hp & ~540 Nm
- Claimed range: up to 622 km (AWD, 75 kWh)
The smaller 65 kWh versions use a single rear motor (RWD) with around 236 bhp and 318 Nm, and a claimed range of up to 538 km.
So whichever trim gets QWD, you’re still getting:
- The big battery
- Serious performance
- Genuine all-terrain capability (with dedicated off-road modes).
What will you sacrifice by Not Buying the Top Empowered Trim?
The ₹2.5 lakh you save by skipping the Empowered 75 is mostly features money, not powertrain money. The Empowered 75 packs in:
- Level-2 ADAS suite (adaptive cruise, lane keep/assist, traffic sign recognition, auto emergency braking, etc.)
- Larger 14.5-inch QLED touchscreen
- Premium Dolby Atmos audio tuning
- Powered tailgate with gesture, digital key, auto parking, underbody camera view, summon, and more cosmetic/comfort tech.
The Fearless Plus 75 already gets a very rich kit: ventilated seats, JBL sound, 360° camera, powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, rear sunblinds, 19-inch alloys, cooled storage, etc.
So a future Fearless 75 QWD would likely:
- Retain all the big-ticket convenience and comfort features
- Drop some of the fancy ADAS and high-end tech toys
- Deliver the same AWD performance for ~₹2.5 lakh less
For many buyers, that’s a trade-off worth making.
Why This Move Makes Sense For Tata
- Demand is Already Strong
QWD accounts for 30% of Harrier EV sales, which is huge for any AWD option in India. - Segment Positioning
The Harrier EV is already one of the most affordable electric SUVs with 4WD in its segment. Dropping the AWD entry point by ~₹2.5 lakh widens that gap versus rivals like the Mahindra XEV 9e and BYD Atto 3. - More Logical Variant Walk
Today, buyers who want AWD must splurge on the top Empowered trim, even if they don’t care about every ADAS party trick. Giving QWD to a mid-spec trim makes the line-up much more rational.
When is This Happening?
So far, Tata has only said that QWD will be offered on “lower variants” and “soon” – there’s no official launch date or exact pricing yet. (Autocar India)
But based on current prices and variant gaps, the logic behind the headline is clear:
Harrier EV AWD isn’t getting less capable – it’s getting more accessible, with an expected price drop of around ₹2.5 lakh by moving the AWD tech to a cheaper trim.