Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass are both mid-size SUVs having different seating capacities. The Harrier is a 5-door compact crossover built on the OMEGArc platform, and the Compass is also a compact crossover with a monocoque construction. The Harrier was launched in 2019 and is still in its first generation. The Compass was launched in 2017 and has reached its second generation in India, while in other parts of the world, it has reached its third. The Harrier is available in petrol and diesel variants, but the Jeep Compass comes only in diesel. The Harrier delivers 11-12 km/l in mixed usage, while the Compass offers a higher 13-14 km/l in mixed usage.
The Tata Harrier comes with a 1.5L Hyperion GDi petrol engine and a 2.0L Kryotec turbo diesel engine. They are paired with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Jeep Compass comes with a 2.0L Multijet diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed automatic transmission. At a quick glance, the Jeep Compass has better mileage than the Harrier. In this article, let’s compare them in detail and also assess the estimated fuel cost for them on a monthly, yearly, and long-term basis.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass Specifications
Let us start with the engine types, power, torque, transmission, drive layout, etc of the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass. The table below shows their basic specifications.
| Specification | Tata Harrier | Jeep Compass |
| Engine | 1.5L Hyperion GDi petrol2.0L Kryotec turbo diesel | 2.0L Multijet diesel |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1498 ccDiesel: 1956 cc | 1956 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 170 PSDiesel: 170 PS | 170 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 280 NmDiesel: 350 Nm | 350 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT6-speed AT | 6-speed MT9-speed AT |
| Drive layout | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel DriveFour Wheel Drive |
| Kerb weight | Petrol: 2000 KgDiesel: 1655 to 1823 Kg | 1565 to 1650 Kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 50 litresDiesel: 50 litres | 60 litres |
A petrol variant is only available with the Tata Harrier. Despite the different fuel types, the engine power of both SUVs is the same, whether it is the Harrier petrol, diesel or the Compass diesel variants. The diesel variants of these SUVs deliver the same torque, but the Harrier petrol has lower torque. The Jeep Compass has a more complex, 9-speed automatic transmission, which is one of the reasons for its better fuel efficiency. Both Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass have front-wheel drive, but only the Compass is available with 4-wheel drive. The Harrier is heavier than the Compass. It has a fuel tank capacity of 50 litres for both fuel types, while the Compass has 60 litres.
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass: ARAI Mileage Figures
The ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) certifies the mileage of every vehicle after testing it under strict standard conditions. The table below shows the ARAI figures for Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass variants.
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Tata Harrier – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Jeep Compass – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.5L Hyperion GDi MT | Petrol | Officially unavailable | — |
| 1.5L Hyperion GDi AT | Petrol | Officially unavailable | — |
| 2.0L Kryotec MT | Diesel | 16.8 km/l | — |
| 2.0L Kryotec AT | Diesel | 14.6 km/l | — |
| 2.0L Multijet MT | Diesel | — | 15 km/l |
| 2.0L Multijet AT | Diesel | — | 12 km/l |
The ARAI mileage of the Tata Harrier is the best at 16.8 km/l, compared with the Jeep Compass’s 15 km/l. The petrol variant of the Harrier is a newer addition, and it has not been a year since its debut. There is no official ARAI figure for these petrol variants yet. For the diesel variants, the manual transmission has performed better than its automatic versions for the Harrier and Compass. These ARAI figures may not always reflect real-world performance.
Also Read: Jeep Compass Mileage Comparison: Manual vs Automatic
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass: Real-World Fuel Efficiency
The table below lists the actual fuel efficiency of the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass. Let’s see if they match the ARAI claims.
| Tata Harrier (Petrol) | Tata Harrier (Diesel) | Jeep Compass (Diesel) | |
| City | MT: 8 to 10.5 km/lAT: 6 to 9.5 km/l | MT: 9 to 13 km/lAT: 9 to 11 km/l | MT: 10 to 12 km/lAT: 11 to 12.5 km/l |
| Highway | MT: 13.5 to 16.5 km/lAT: 12 to 16 km/l | MT: 14.5 to 17 km/lAT: 13 to 16 km/l | MT: 16 to 18 km/lAT: 14 to 16 km/l |
| Average | MT: 12 km/lAT: 10 km/l | MT: 13.5 km/lAT: 12 km/l | MT: 14 km/lAT: 13.5 km/l |
| Tank range | 310 to 625 km | 700 to 900 km | 750 to 850 km |
The Harrier diesel variants deliver a mileage ranging from 9 to 13 km/l depending on the chosen variant. Usually, the manual transmission has better mileage. The petrol variants show a poorer mileage of just 8-10.5 km/l. The automatic transmission shows lower mileage, which can drop to 6, depending on traffic and other factors. On highways, the Harrier can achieve up to 16.5 km/l for petrol and 17 km/l for diesel variants. This is better than the ARAI claims for the diesel.
For the Jeep Compass, the city mileage is better, 10 to 12.5 km/l and the highway mileage is excellent at up to 14 to 18 km/l, which are much higher than the ARAI claims. Also, its manual transmission delivers better mileage than the automatic variants. Still, the Harrier gets slightly better mileage in the city under favourable conditions, reaching up to 13 km/l. On highways, the Compass is the preferred one for high fuel efficiency.
Also Read: Tata Harrier Real World Mileage
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass: Fuel Cost Comparison
Now, let’s convert fuel efficiency into estimated fuel expenses so you get a clearer picture of what to expect. We will use a fixed monthly distance of 1500 km for both these SUVs and the fuel prices of Rs. 110 for petrol and Rs. 100 for diesel.
| Harrier Petrol | Harrier Diesel | Compass Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 136L | 120L | 110L |
| Avg. Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 14,960 | ₹ 12,000 | ₹ 11,000 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.80 lakhs | ₹ 1.44 lakhs | ₹ 1.32 lakhs |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 8.97 lakhs | ₹ 7.20 lakhs | ₹ 6.60 lakhs |
When you focus on fuel cost, the Jeep Compass is the better option than the Harrier. It can save you slightly more each month, but over time and in a few years, it will save around 60k over the Harrier diesel and almost 2 lakhs over the Harrier petrol variants. Their average fuel efficiency in mixed usage is almost similar. If you drive mostly on highways, you can get better mileage and lower fuel costs. In the city, its mileage is low, so the fuel expenses will be higher. These days, it is better to choose a diesel variant over petrol as fuel expenses are soaring.
Also Read: Comparison: New Tata Harrier vs Used Tata Harrier
Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass Price
Finally, here’s a rough idea of what you’ll pay as the ex-showroom price for a Tata Harrier and a Jeep Compass across their variants.
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Tata Harrier | Smart to Fearless Ultra | ₹ 13.00 lakhs to 26.05 lakhs |
| Jeep Compass | Sport, Longitude, Longitude (O), Trail, Limited (O), Model S (O), Track | ₹ 17.99 lakhs to 30.95 lakhs |
The Tata Harrier has a lower ex-showroom price range than the Jeep Compass. The Harrier has more variants, so you can pick one that suits your needs.
Summary
The Tata Harrier offers petrol and diesel variants, while the Jeep Compass is diesel-only. Although the Harrier has better ARAI figures, the Jeep Compass delivers better real-world mileage. It excels on highways with a mileage of 16-18 km/l, which is much higher than its ARAI claims. The Harrier can also perform better on highways, but its city mileage drops drastically depending on conditions. In terms of fuel expenses, the Jeep Compass is the better choice, followed by the Harrier diesel. The Harrier petrol is not a good option if you are concerned about fuel expenses. Choose the Harrier diesel if you need more seating capacity. For off-roading and mostly highway driving, the Compass can be a good option.
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Tata Harrier Mileage Comparison: Diesel vs Electric
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FAQs About Tata Harrier vs Jeep Compass Mileage
Q. Which gives better real-world mileage in city traffic, the Harrier or Compass?
The Harrier has a slightly better city mileage than the Compass. Though its mileage can go lower, down to 9 km/l, under heavy traffic, it usually clocks around 12-13 km/l, while the Compass averages at 10-12 km/l. Even with this small difference, the Harrier gets an edge over the Compass in stop-and-go traffic.
Q. How does the Harrier diesel’s fuel consumption compare with the Compass on highways?
On highways, the Jeep Compass fares better with a range of 16-18 km/l as opposed to the 14-17 km/l of the Harrier. It is the manual transmission that delivers higher mileage than the automatic versions. The Compass is comparatively lightweight and is more dynamic, which helps it deliver higher fuel efficiency. It also has better control at higher speeds, which makes it more suitable for longer trips.
Q. Does the auto transmission really impact the Harrier’s real-world mileage?
The mileage of the Harrier with an automatic transmission is less than the manual by 1-2 km/l. The difference is not huge, but over time that small gap can add up and make a manual more economical. Harrier delivers 9-11 km/l on diesel and 6 to 9.5 km/l on petrol in the city. Frequent gear changes in city traffic lead to increased fuel consumption and lower overall fuel efficiency. Unlike the mechanical clutch, the automatic uses a fluid-based torque converter that uses more fuel to send power to the wheels.
Q. Does the Jeep Compass remain economical during frequent short trips?
No, the Jeep Compass is not a good option for frequent short trips, as the engine does not always reach its potential. It works better when the engine is well warmed up. It is also heavier and therefore uses more fuel, making it less suitable for short trips.
Q. Which makes more sense for buyers seeking fuel economy over outright performance, the Harrier or Compass?
If you are looking for fuel economy, the Jeep Compass is a better option than the Harrier. It does well on highways. It’s a great vehicle for long trips. And it’s a great vehicle for people who drive on highways often. The Compass has a 9-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox helps you cruise at higher speeds with low RPMs, which maximises mileage to the max. The Harrier is a bit heavier and won’t get as good mileage as the Compass. This is reflected in its fuel expenses.
