Introduction
It is monsoon, and the season of hatchbacks is back. Enthusiasts know what I am referring to with the recent introduction of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. But we are here today to talk about a car on the other end of the spectrum from the hatchbacks - the all-new Tata Altroz.
The new and updated Altroz has now become even more stylish, comes packed with plenty of features, improved safety, and the same old variety of powertrain options.
Engine and Performance
Mechanically, Tata has tried to keep the Altroz as vanilla as possible, with slight changes here and there. Firstly, the turbo-petrol is non-existent in the standard Altroz now, which means the Racer is the only iteration of the Altroz currently that has a turbo-petrol engine.
Coming back to the new Altroz, there are three powertrain options on offer – 1.2-litre NA petrol, 1.2-litre NA petrol + CNG, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. That said, all the engines get a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Furthermore, the NA petrol engine also gets a six-speed DCT unit.
The version we tested was the CNG Altroz in Accomplished S guise. In this configuration, the Altroz is rated to produce 72bhp and 103Nm of peak torque. As for the performance, the new Altroz behaves more or less similarly to the previous iteration. The naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol motor is not the most eager when it comes to picking up speed. The low-end torque isn’t very strong either. It really starts moving only once you hit the mid-range. Push it a little, and the engine does get a bit noisy, and the vibrations are evident on the pedals and gear lever. The gear shifts are smooth and easy, while the pedals are light.
One of the key talking points of the Altroz CNG is its twin CNG cylinders and a single ECU setup. The single ECU greatly enhances fuel management convenience. Unlike other CNG cars that use separate modules, the Altroz can seamlessly switch between petrol and CNG. Even more impressively, it can start directly in CNG mode, adding to its overall ease of use.
When it comes to ride and handling, the Altroz CNG features slightly stiffened suspension compared to the standard model, mainly to compensate for the extra weight of the CNG cylinders at the rear. While the ride does feel a bit firmer, especially at lower speeds, it never crosses into uncomfortable territory. In fact, it remains composed over bumps, and the overall comfort improves as you pick up speed.
The Altroz has always been one of the best-handling hatchbacks in its segment, and that still holds true. Body roll is well-controlled through corners, and the steering offers good feedback, becoming nicely weighted as speeds increase.
Exterior
The design of the Altroz has just matured with this iteration. It now gets that Tata family look, which is, in my opinion, an excellent design language. The front fascia now features an all-LED setup with a revised bumper, and in general, the Altroz looks sharper and more modern.
That said, the side profile is where the 2025 Altroz steals the show for me. The alloys look stunning with the clever aero treatment. Then the flush fitting door handles with a glow indicator, along with hidden rear door handles, give the side profile a very clean and minimalist look, which I really dig.
The rear profile is equally modernised with a full-width light bar connecting the taillamps – again, a growing trend across the automotive market.
Interior and Features
The CNG version in the Accomplished S guise is second from the top. Now, Tata does an amazing job of offering the CNG option in the higher variants, allowing buyers to enjoy premium features while keeping efficiency as their top priority.
As for the features, some of the major highlights include a large 10.25-inch infotainment system with a clean and responsive UI, wireless charger, ambient light, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, two-spoke steering wheel, touch-based HVAC panel, and an electric sunroof.
Conclusion
Now, the premium hatchback segment has not really grown lately. The competitors that the previous Altroz had are still here, with no new additions. There’s the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which also has a badge brother in the form of the Toyota Glanza, and then there’s the Hyundai i20.
That said, the Tata Altroz really sets itself apart from the competition with its unmatched safety. The previous version was rated five stars in GNCAP, and now, with more safety features and improved robustness of the chassis, Tata Motors is hopeful to score similarly in the BNCAP.
So, who should buy the new Tata Altroz? Or should anyone consider a hatchback in the day and age where micro-SUVs have taken over? Well, the Altroz is a well-rounded package. The buyers go for a micro-SUV because they feel they are getting more for the same amount of money. The sense of owning a premium car also adds value to their status symbol.
With the new Altroz, you are being served just that. Improved looks? Checked. Modern design? Checked. Premium interior with improved fit and finish? Checked. Variety of powertrain options? Checked. And most importantly, a well-loaded cabin in terms of features? Checked.
Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi
