MG Hector vs Tata Harrier: Variants Comparison

Both these SUVs are driven by the same 2.0-litre diesel engine sourced from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

MG has just launched the Hector in the Indian market, pitting it against another SUV that was launched not too long back, the Tata Harrier. Both SUVs are positioned in the same segment and are priced closely. So, let’s compare similarly priced variants of the two to find out which SUV will give you the better bang for your buck.

Before we start comparing their variants one on one, lets compare the dimensions and engines of the Hector and Harrier.

Dimensions

Tata offers the Harrier with a diesel engine only and thus we will not be considering the petrol powertrain of the Hector for this comparison.

Diesel Engine

As we had mentioned earlier, both engines are similar but have been tuned to produce different power outputs. What is surprising though is the fact that Hector’s ARAI fuel efficiency is more than that of the Harrier, despite producing more power. However, we will have to wait till get our hands on the Hector for testing before we can make a definitive statement on that.

Variants Comparison

Let us now start pitting variants of the two SUVs against one another. To keep things fair, we will only be comparing with a similar powertrain setup and those which are placed within Rs 50,000 of each other. Take a look at the price table below to see prices of all diesel variants of the two.

Both SUVs are offered in four variants which are priced neck and neck. Thus we pit the Style variant of the Hector up against the XE variant of the Harrier, the Super variant of the Hector up against the XM variant of the Harrier, Smart variant of the Hector up against the XT variant of the Harrier and finally, the Sharp variant of the Hector up against the XZ variant of the Harrier.

MG Hector Style vs Tata Harrier XE

Common features: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, speed-sensing auto door lock and central locking (manual in the Harrier), projector headlamps, DRLs (bulb-type in the Harrier), tilt adjustable steering, dual function DRLs with turn indicators, driver armrest with 12V power socket, height adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and rear AC vents, adjustable rear headrests.

What Hector gets over the Harrier: ESP (electronic stability program), TCS (traction control system), hill hold control, rear disc brakes, rear defogger, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, speed warning alert, 3-point seatbelt for all rear passengers, Audio system, 4 speakers, power adjustable ORVM, second row seat recline, 60:40 split second-row, rear armrest with can holders, cooled glove box, remote keyless entry, rear wiper and washer, height adjustable front seatbelts, all windows down by remote. 

What Harrier gets over the Hector: Telescopic adjustable steering wheel, perimetric alarm system, puddle lamps (front and rear).

Verdict: This one is a clear win for the MG Hector’s Style variant. Despite being the lowest variant of the Hector, the Style variant offers loads of kit when compared to the Harrier. While it is Rs 18,000 more expensive than the base-spec XE variant of the Harrier, the number of extra goodies, especially the safety features on offer dwarfs the price difference between the two. Round 1 goes to the MG Hector.

MG Hector Super vs Tata Harrier XM

Common features (over previous variant): Power adjustable ORVM, rear wiper/washer and defogger, follow-me-home headlamps, touchscreen infotainment (Hector’s screen in bigger), 6 speakers (4 speakers + 2 tweeters), steering mounted controls, front fog lamps, height adjustable driver’s seat.

What Hector gets over the Harrier: ESP (electronic stability program), TCS (traction control system), hill hold control, rear disc brakes, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, 3-point seatbelt for all rear passengers, second row seat recline, 60:40 split second-row, rear armrest with can holders, height adjustable rear headrests for all three passengers, height adjustable front seatbelts, all windows down by remote, cruise control, LED rear fog lamps, LED headlamps, DRLs and tail lamps, front parking sensors, cornering front fog lamps, reverse parking camera.

What Harrier gets over the Hector: Telescopic adjustable steering wheel, perimetric alarm system, drive modes (City, Eco and Sport).

Verdict: Once again, the Hector is the clear winner here. Priced at a premium of Rs 12,000 over the Harrier here, it is a small price to pay for the number of features, both comfort and safety, that MG is offering. Round 2 also goes to the MG Hector.

MG Hector Smart vs Tata Harrier XT

Common features (over previous variants): Reverse parking camera, cruise control, rear armrest with cup holders, push button start, electrically foldable ORVMs, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, 8 speakers (4 speakers + 4 tweeters), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support

What Hector gets over the Harrier: ESP (electronic stability program), TCS (traction control system), hill hold control, rear disc brakes,2 additional airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, second row seat recline, 60:40 split second-row, remote keyless entry, height adjustable rear seat headrests for all three passengers, height adjustable front seatbelts, all windows down by remote, driver vanity mirror, LED rear fog lamps, LED headlamps and tail lamps, front parking sensors, cornering front LED fog lamps, tyre pressure monitoring system, remote car lock/unlock with smartphone app with a built-in eSIM, voice commands, online maps with live traffic, weather information, find my car, vehicle status on app, geo-fencing, over speeding alert on app, send navigation from phone to car, emergency call, leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, LED reading lights, 6-way power adjustable driver seat, subwoofer and amplifier (part of the Infinity sound system).

What Harrier gets over the Hector: Perimetric alarm system, drive modes, auto climate control rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps.

Verdict: The price gap between the Hector and the Harrier here has increased to Rs 22,000. However, the amount of kit that MG is offering with the Hector has also significantly increased. Thus, we recommend that picking the Hector here is the wise choice once again. Round 3 also goes to the MG Hector.

MG Hector Sharp vs Tata Harrier XZ

Common features (over previous variants): Cornering front fog lamps, leather wrapped steering wheel, subwoofer and amplifier, 6 airbags, ESP (electronic stability program), hill hold control, TCS (traction control system), ISOFIX child seat anchor points, 60:40 split second-row, 7-inch colour display in the instrument cluster, auto climate control, rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps.

What Hector gets over the Harrier: Rear disc brakes, 3-point seatbelt all rear passengers, second row seat recline, height adjustable rear seat headrests for all three passengers, height adjustable front seatbelts, all windows down by remote, driver vanity mirror, LED rear fog lamps, LED headlamps and tail lamps, front parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, remote car lock/unlock with smartphone app with a built-in eSIM, voice commands, online maps with live traffic, weather information, smart drive information, find my car, vehicle status on app, geo-fencing, over speeding alert on app, send navigation from phone to car, emergency call, LED reading lights, 6-way power adjustable driver seat, 360 degree camera, heated ORVMs, panoramic sunroof, remote sunroof open/close through app, ambient lighting with 8 colours, powered tailgate.

What Harrier gets over the Hector: Perimetric alarm system, drive modes with terrain response modes, HID projector headlamps, hill descent control, roll over mitigation, corner stability control, Brake Disc wiping.

Verdict: Just like the other variants, the Hector has the Harrier beat here too. The premium has gone up to Rs 32,000 but the number of features on offer in the Hector are just too many. Round 4 and the fight goes to the MG Hector.

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