I dropped into a Tata showroom here in Cochin to check out the JTP twins and the Harrier since I had some time today. The single orange coloured Harrier was only a demonstration car and not a test drive one and for all the photos that we have been inundated with, in person, the Harrier looks very different from its competition and attractive. As per the sales guy, the orange colour will only be available in the top end model. My immediate first impressions after getting into the driver's seat was again "
This is really, really nice! Good job Tata!".
And then it started slowly going downhill. I paired my phone to the sound system and played some trusted Pink Floyd. While the sound output was good and better than other OEM systems, it isn't going to please true music lovers. Despite playing around with the audio settings, there was a distinct lack of bass though the sales representative confirmed that the sub woofer was working.
As I started checking out the car in a little more depth, I noticed that the panel gaps at the rear were terribly inconsistent. On the right side my finger could go in a lot at the tail lights section. On the left side, it couldn't. I double checked and confirmed that the boot was closed.
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_131358_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842590d1688287932t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_131358_hdr-large.jpg)
Right side boot
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-right-side-finger-goes-inside.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842610d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-right-side-finger-goes-inside.jpg)
Right side tail light
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_131547_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842591d1688287932t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_131547_hdr-large.jpg)
Right side tail light
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-full-finger-right-side.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842604d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-full-finger-right-side.jpg)
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_131608_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842592d1688287932t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_131608_hdr-large.jpg)
Left side tail light
The sales representative was trying to explain by saying that not all cars come off the production line the same (
not what you want to tell a customer!) and as I started pointing out more issues, he was telling me (
rather innocently), a Rolls Royce will come with no flaws and we have to accept some issues will be there on the Harrier. Soon another sales representative jumped in and tried to say the Tata manufacturing process and factory PDI is automated. Also some impact on the car while its being transported. Hence the panel gaps. Once the showroom people do the PDI and remove some panels and tighten them, there will be no gaps at all in the car. I told him Im not saying anything (
lest I start laughing)!
Then they started asking what car I drive and after telling them the cars our family owns, they kept quiet on that front. Later, their defence moved to, this is a display car and since so many people have seen the car in the last 3 days, the fit and finish has become like this due to "rough use". Once again I was tempted to burst out laughing. I told him, my family will put our car through far more rigorous treatment over 5 years than what showroom visitors will do to a demo car in 3 days. So I asked them, are you saying the car cannot take 3 days wear and tear? (
On days like this, I really wish we didn't have a 2 smiley constraint while posting). Final nail in the coffin was one sales guy telling me, Sir you cant take photos of this car as PDI is not done
![LOL](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/LOL.png)
I told him, if I liked the car you would have told me to take all the photos I want!
I'll let the photos do the talking.
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_132113_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842594d1688287932t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_132113_hdr-large.jpg)
Poor paint quality visible in gap between roof and boot
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-weld.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842613d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-weld.jpg)
A closer look at the poor welding
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_132342_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842595d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_132342_hdr-large.jpg)
Bin is not cooled and very low, tall people will find it inconvenient to use
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_132601_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842596d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_132601_hdr-large.jpg)
Here's another gap where a finger can go in. Right above the dials. It is very evident from the passenger seat.
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-cabin-hood.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842601d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-cabin-hood.jpg)
A closer look, how did the showroom guys not see this till now?
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-beading.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842598d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-beading.jpg)
Front door rubber beading is already loose
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-boot-hinges.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842599d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-boot-hinges.jpg)
Rear hinges look ugly - right side
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-boot-left.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842600d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-boot-left.jpg)
Rear hinges look ugly - left side
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-front-door-left.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842602d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-front-door-left.jpg)
Front door, left side. Fit and finish is poor for a 20L car.
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-front-door-rubber-right-side.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842603d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-front-door-rubber-right-side.jpg)
Front door, right side. Fit and finish is poor for a 20L car.
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-20190128_132726_hdr-large.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842597d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-20190128_132726_hdr-large.jpg)
View from inside of the front door, the rubber beading is sticking out
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-gaps.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842605d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-gaps.jpg)
Gap between top and bottom is inconsistent
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-left-side-tight-fit.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842606d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-left-side-tight-fit.jpg)
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-no-alignment-dirt.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842607d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-no-alignment-dirt.jpg)
No proper alignment and some paint damage
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-rear-door-panel-gaps-right.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842608d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-rear-door-panel-gaps-right.jpg)
Poor alignment in the panels again - left side
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-rear-door-panel-gaps.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842609d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-rear-door-panel-gaps.jpg)
Poor alignment in the panels again - right side
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-roof-left.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842611d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-roof-left.jpg)
Gap between roof and boot - left side
![Tata H5X Concept @ Auto Expo 2018. Named Tata Harrier! EDIT: Launched @ Rs. 12.69 lakhs-roof-right.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/indian-car-scene/1842612d1688287978t-tata-h5x-concept-auto-expo-2018-named-tata-harrier-edit-launched-rs-12-69-lakhs-roof-right.jpg)
Gap between roof and boot - right side (you can see the difference in the rubber length compared to the previous photo)
Anyways long story short, a careful look around the car shows how Tata Motors has done a good job but for a customer like me, its not good enough. My wife though, is just the sort of customer who would love the Harrier. Make no mistake about it, the car looks good and if one is ready to overlook these (
minor?) issues, Im sure it will be a good buy. But if I had 20 lakhs and I wanted a big Tata, it would be Hexa for me.
Sorry Tata, but with the Harrier, Im reminded of the famous quote - your mouth (
marketing team) wrote a cheque that your body (
production team) cant cash.