When Tata Motors introduced the Altroz in 2020, the design and ride quality set it apart in the hatchback segment. Years later, the model still holds its ground in its new avatar, now refined and repackaged into a more personalised experience. The car’s appeal has been broadened through multiple personas and drivetrain options. The choice of a diesel power plant in the hatchback makes it the last man standing blending performance and economy.
Design Still Holds In Its Own
Altroz’s design still feels fresh with its wider stance and smoother design. The busy face has now grown up, and houses LED headlights giving it a European fascia. The 90-degree opening doors make ingress easy, a highlight for elderly passengers or those carrying child seats. The cabin quality is good with a premium dashboard, ambient lighting, cooled glovebox, and well-cushioned seats with extended thigh support. And it may be fashionable to own flush door handles, but they are definitely a no no from us in terms of usability. The Tiago.ev that we tested earlier has cooler handles with piano black inserts, which are much better to use.
Rear passengers get AC vents and a central armrest, adding to the comfort during longer journeys. Boot space in diesel and petrol stands at an okay 345 litres. The boot sill height is quite high, making you lift your luggage high to drop it in the boot. People with CNG versions will get a much smaller boot, about 210 litres, but at least you place your knickknacks atop the twin-tanks easily.
Diesel Experience If Tuned For Efficiency
Tata Motors continues to offer an efficient diesel platform which has completely disappeared from the hatchback segment. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder Revotorq engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission delivers 98 bhp of power and 200 Nm of torque. What stands out is the strong low-end pull, which makes city commuting and short highway bursts effortless. The power delivery and the torquey nature of the engine make it a relaxed and fuel-efficient cruiser.
There is no excessive vibration or harshness at low revs, and the clutch action feels progressive, which suits daily driving. Engineers have worked on the NVH slightly to keep the diesel drone at bay, but it still is evidently audible. It is not a hot hatch in terms of outright speed but does more than enough for a buyer seeking long-term economy with functional performance.
CNG & Petrol Are Sensible Choices For Diverse Needs
Besides the diesel, the Altroz range includes a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol and an iCNG variant based on the same engine. The petrol offers 87 bhp and 115 Nm, available with manual, AMT, and a 6-speed DCA automatic. The CNG version, which we briefly drove, produces 72 bhp and 103 Nm in CNG mode. Also you get direct CNG start and seamless switching between fuels.
The power levels do leave something to be desired. Because there is a lot of features and safety packed in, the weight of the Altroz commands more poke from the engines, especially in the CNG modes. The clutch action is easy though for stop go traffic, but the bite will take some time getting used to.
Handles & Rides Excellent
This is one aspect about the Altroz that won everyone over. It has excellent road holding and has a very mature ride quality. The new one does not disappoint at all. You can chuck it around corners, and it rewards you with precision. The steering is communicative and responds well, although not as good as the Racer.
The new illuminated logo steering may be futuristic, but the older version had a nicer design for usability. These Goodyear tyres are decent as well. But all that dynamic handling comes at a cost, the ground clearance. The 165mm figure maybe an issue for our unpredictable roads. We did scrape the bottom on a few large speed breakers with just two passengers.
Tech & Safety
The new UltraView cockpit with dual 10.2-inch HD displays adds a tech-forward appeal to the Altroz. And although the infotainment touchscreen is second to none in clarity and response, the driver information system gets a lot of reflection on bright days. Infotainment system powered by Harman is fluid and sharp, paired with four speakers and four tweeters, offering good audio. There's support for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and over 50 connected features via the iRA platform. Features like the 360-degree HD surround view camera, blind-spot monitor and cluster map view enhance everyday convenience. The top variants also get a wireless charger, electric sunroof with voice control, and TPMS.
Altroz remains India’s only premium hatch with a 5-star GNCAP rating and continues to lead in safety. With six-airbags, ESP, ISOFIX mounts, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and ultra-high strength steel underpinnings. The diamond-strength ALFA architecture ensures structural integrity even during sharp manoeuvres or unpredictable conditions.
Variants & Personalisation
The Altroz comes in four personas, Smart, Pure, Creative and Accomplished. Even the base Smart offers 6 airbags and ESP, while the Creative and Accomplished trims bring in higher-end features like the UltraView cluster, AudioWorks, HD camera, and wireless charging. With multiple transmission choices across these personas, Tata offers variety in this segment, allowing buyers to opt for practicality, luxury or tech based on their need.
In an era where diesel options are fading, we thank Tata for the diesel version in its hatchbacks. It is not just an affordable premium hatch but also a capable all-rounder that balances comfort, technology, safety and running costs. While the argument for Delhi/NCR’s 10-year diesel registration policy sounds unfavourable, the rest of the country still can choose to pick a diesel.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
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