Meet the Tata Harrier 2.0TD Fearless - a stylish and practical SUV from India. It's absolutely worth considering and if I'm honest, was a pleasant surprise when it arrived on my driveway. With its sleek design and generous dimensions (4,605 mm long, 2,131 mm wide, and 1,718 mm tall), it's a great option for those who want a comfortable ride and a traditional powertrain with an aesthetic devoid of the slippery familiarity of the Chinese SUVs. No, this looks tough - like a butched-up Qashqai with a purposeful stance and a cabin to complement it.

Under the hood, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine might not be the most powerful, but I think it's a great offering in today's electric-obsessed market. With 125kW and 350Nm on tap, it's more than capable of tackling asphalt and dirt, highway and gravel. Sure, it might not stack up to some of its rivals but it's still a great ICE offering.

Pricing-wise, the Fearless spec sits at R699,900, with the Pure+ AT starting at R549,900 and the Adventure+ AT at R649,900. It's worth noting that you get what you pay for, and the Harrier's feature list is certainly impressive at any spec. That we had the flagship derivative certainly helped it make a great first impression. In this model we were spoiled with a 12.3-inch Harman touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Car2Home connectivity plus the 10.25-inch digital driver's display. I'm not done - there's also a voice-activated panoramic sunroof with mood lighting.

But no matter which model you drive you'll have the same turbocharged diesel paired with a six-speed automatic (not a CVT), good for a frugal 6.6l/100km fuel consumption. Overall, I think the Tata Harrier is a great addition to the South African market. It's good to see Tata back with a solid product range, and the Harrier's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a stylish and practical SUV. And it's great to discuss a robust SUV without having to mention range anxiety. It's a car I enjoyed returning to, driving well and looking great with a comfortable living space. Factor in the Harrier's five-star safety rating with ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), seven airbags, 360 degree cam and more and you'll appreciate the great package it represents. Also standard, the Harrier comes with a five-year/125 000 km warranty and a five-year/75 000 km service plan. More like this please, Tata.