Tata Harrier EV

On the road the Harrier EV feels genuinely composed - at highway speeds it stays confident with minimal lateral movement, and even after hitting a rut the front end recovers well. It corners flatter and tighter than most rivals, and the extra weight of the battery pack actually helps it feel planted. Real-world testing on the bigger AWD pack returned about 5.45km/kWh in the city and 5.24km/kWh on the highway, and a 20-80% DC top-up takes around 25 minutes at up to 107kW - solid numbers for a two-tonne-plus SUV.

Where the Harrier EV really pulls ahead is value for money - pricing from roughly Rs 21.49 lakh to Rs 28.99 lakh undercuts its natural rivals while still loading in a lot of kit from the base variant itself: 6 airbags, auto climate control and 18-inch alloys. Step up the range and the 14.5-inch touchscreen is a highlight, crisp and responsive with an easy-to-navigate menu, backed by a properly quick 100-120kW DC charging setup.

Live with it for a while and a few trade-offs show up. Acceleration feels measured rather than sudden despite strong power and torque figures on paper, and the considerable kerb weight blunts the sense of speed while making the brake pedal feel less progressive. Real-world range also trails the claimed numbers - expect around 420km on the smaller pack and 450-500km on the bigger one - and taller drivers may find a knee grazing the centre console. None of it is a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before you sign.