Tata

Altroz

Tata Altroz 

Tata Motors has upped its game considerably across segments, and the premium hatchback segment is no exception. The Altroz has become a formidable rival to the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai i20. 

How is the design? 

The Tata Altroz is a looker from all angles. It sports a truly unique design with its signature front fascia and grille, which smoothly integrates into the headlamps while extruding nicely alongside. The LED daytime running lights have also been fused into the fog lamps at the lower end of the bumper, while there are several body lines and creases all around the car as well. The car sports a kinetic and engaging design template, while coming with a dual-tone rear theme and a blacked-out tailgate in tandem with edgy taillights as well. 

How does it perform? 

The Tata Altroz gets three engine choices, namely the 1.2 litre Revotron petrol engine, the 1.5 litre Revotorq turbocharged engine, and the turbocharged version of the petrol engine. The petrol engine offers decent refinement till you get to around 100 kmph. Thereafter, it has a little noise. The engine offers good delivery of power although it does not come with the punchy feel that you expect. The diesel engine is an excellent performer, with ample power on tap, although there is a surge again upon crossing 1700 RPM after that initial lag. The diesel engine is refined, you only hear the noise once you really push the throttle. All the engines have 5-speed manual transmission choices while the petrol engine comes with the DCT 6-speed automatic transmission option. 

How is the mileage? 

• Diesel Manual- 23 kmpl
• Petrol Manual- 18.53 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 18.53 kmpl 

How is the driving experience? 

The Tata Altroz offers good driving with its capability to tackle broken and rough roads with no jitters. The Altroz offers a good ride at both low and high speeds, with decent handling as well. There is a wee bit of body roll when you fling the car around the corner. However, there is excellent tyre grip along with a well-tuned suspension system as well. The steering is also responsive in terms of its overall feedback. 

What’s the interior like? 

The interiors are plush and comfortable. The Tata Altroz comes with a neat floating touch screen infotainment system, which is positioned smartly. The dashboard has a good color theme, while the Harman audio unit is also punchy. The semi-digital instrument console is brand new, offering helpful driver information as well. The flat-bottomed steering wheel has a nice feel to it, along with steering mounted buttons as well. The front seats feel comfortable with great cushioning and overall support. The cabin gets several cubby holes and door pockets with the slot for an umbrella as well. The glove box comes with 15 litres of space and cooling, in tandem with a removable tray as well. There is also a nifty sliding armrest in the front. The rear offers sizable legroom and headroom. There are rear AC vents available too. The only thing is that the backrest angle at the rear is slightly stiff, and this may lead to a little tiredness after covering long distances. Boot space of 345 litres is of course, a plus point. 

Tech and infotainment 

The Tata Altroz comes with a 7-inch floating touch screen infotainment unit with the Harman audio setup. There is also the semi-digital instrument console with several other connectivity features. Cruise control is also present. It also gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with ambient lighting. 

Safety equipment

The Tata Altroz offers great safety features including dual airbags, EBD, ABS, rear parking sensors, high-speed alerts, front passenger seat belt warning, and more. 

Which variant to buy? 

The ideal budget variant would be the XM+ in the petrol guise or the XM Rhythm pack for the diesel version. This will get you the touch screen and other features along with drive modes, electrically folding mirrors and other features. The diesel will get you the rear camera as well. If you can stretch it, you can opt for the XZ variant which offers a lot more features including projector headlamps, 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, knitted roof liner, color MID, auto wiper and headlamp, cruise control, and more. The XZ (O) only comes with the additional dual-tone roof for a slight premium.

Which cars compete in this segment? 

The Altroz competes with rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Toyota Glanza, and others. The Altroz gets front fog lamps and projector units, measuring up well in the segment, with touch screen infotainment, connectivity features, and voice commands. The Altroz gets ambient lighting for the central console and the part-digital console. It also has rear AC vents and cruise control. It has several other segment-firsts, along with the combination of automatic wipers and headlamps.

Verdict (Value for money) 

The Tata Altroz delivers good performance for buyers along with a refined set of engines and good ride quality. It has a wide range of features, albeit at a premium, and looks supremely stylish. The car offers a unique aesthetic along with plush interiors, decent space, and good safety features as well. It could well be a solid rival to the Baleno and the i20 in the segment that they have dominated all these years. The Altroz is ideal for those seeking something completely unique yet spacious in this category. With its mix of features, performance, and design, it justifies its sticker price.