Both Harrier and Compass are powered by the same engine, but which is quicker to 100kph?
The Tata Harrier and the Jeep Compass are two SUVs that have the same heart – both are powered by an FCA-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine. But which of these is quicker in the dash up to a 100kph? Both SUVs use different gearboxes and are of different sizes as well, so let’s see how that affects their performance. For this comparison, we have considered the diesel-AT powertrain, and both SUVs are in front-wheel drive configuration; the Compass additionally also gets an all-wheel drive layout.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass spec comparison
| Harrier vs Compass specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Harrier | Compass | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel | 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel |
| Power | 170hp at 3,750rpm | 170hp at 3,750rpm |
| Torque | 350Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm | 350Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed AT | 9-speed AT |
| L x W x H (mm) | 4605 x 1922 x 1718 | 4405 x 1818 x 1640 |
| Weight | 1,823kg | 1,656kg |
| Power to weight (hp per tonne) | 93.25 | 102.65 |
| Power to torque (Nm per tonne) | 191.99 | 211.35 |
Same engine but different gearboxes
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine produces an identical 170hp at 3,750rpm and 350Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm on both the SUVs. However, while the Harrier uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, the Compass gets a 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Harrier is larger than the Compass in every metric, and heavier as well, so on paper, the Compass is at a clear advantage.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass 0-100kph acceleration times
| Harrier vs Compass 0-100kph acceleration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Harrier | Compass |
| 20kph | 1.33 sec | 1.30 sec |
| 40kph | 2.94 sec | 2.79 sec |
| 60kph | 5.16 sec | 4.93 sec |
| 80kph | 8.30 sec | 7.82 sec |
| 100kph | 12.60 sec | 11.79 sec |
Compass consistently builds its lead over the Harrier
As you can see in the table above, the Compass is quicker off the line, and it consistently maintains the lead over the Harrier, widening the gap by the time both SUVs have reached 100kph. This is despite the lazy character of the Compass’ 9-speed transmission as opposed to the 6-speed unit on the Harrier that has better spaced gearing and feels more responsive. The gap in performance – 0.81 seconds at 100kph – can be attributed to the Harrier’s larger size and weight.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass 40-100kph roll-on acceleration
| Harrier vs Compass roll-on acceleration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Harrier | Compass |
| 20-80kph (3th gear) | 7.20 sec | 6.48 sec |
| 40-100kph (5th gear) | 9.52 sec | 8.82 sec |
Jeep quicker in roll-on acceleration as well
Even in terms of roll-on acceleration, the Tata isn’t as impressive as the Jeep. Our tests showed that the Compass is 0.72 seconds quicker in the 20-80kph acceleration in third gear, while the gap narrows slightly to 0.70 seconds in the 40-100kph acceleration in fifth gear.
Autocar India’s testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass price
Compass is way more expensive
Prices for the Harrier diesel-AT range between Rs 19.35 lakh and Rs 26.25 lakh, while prices for the Compass diesel-AT 4×2 range between Rs 26.83 lakh and Rs 30.33 lakh, ex-showroom. Essentially, the Compass price starts where the Harrier’s end, but for the premium, you get a quicker and more fun-to-drive SUV.
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