Tata Altroz

The Apex Predator In Premium Hatchback Business?

The recipe to make a perfect premium hatchback is to develop a car that looks good, is spacious on the inside, can keep occupants in utmost comfort, is fun to drive, and of course, is frugal. That's where the Tata Altroz entered the Indian market back in the year 2019, making heads turn with its scintillating design, even if folks were not astounded by its engines at first. But Tata Motors didn't stop there, eyeing the top spot on the sales tally in the premium hatchback segment. Fast forward to 2024, and the Altroz has come a long way. But is it more than just a pretty face? Let's find out if you should consider buying it or not.

Pros and Cons 

Tata Altroz Exterior Design

The Altroz flaunts baselines of Tata Motors’ Impact 2.0 design language. Thereby, boasting a chic-looking exterior. The Altroz features a chiselled front fascia with a glossy-black grille, merging into slender headlamps. The bumper dons a subtle-looking lower air dam, while the fog lamps sit higher than their conventional position. The side profile has a sporty wedge-shaped silhouette. Elevating the style quoting of the hatchback are diamond-cut finished R16 alloy wheels and c-pillar mounted door handles. The latter gives it a coupe-like appearance. The rear fascia, however, has a little too much going on, in terms of materials and colours. The bumper gets a dual-tone effect, while the tailgate uses a dollop of piano-black elements. Nevertheless, the Tata Altroz is still the most handsome premium hatchback on sale.

Tata Altroz Interiors

Getting inside the Tata Altroz is the easiest task ever. After all, it was the first indigenous car to sport 90-degree opening doors. Closing them from the seats itself is a hassle, though. The cabin is spacious and intelligently designed. The greyish theme makes the cabin feel airy in all regards, keeping the feeling of claustrophobia away. The door pockets are deep enough to house a 1L bottle and an umbrella. Moreover, there are cubby spaces all around the cabin. The attention to detail is a USP for Altroz. It gets a soft-opening glovebox, ambient lighting, and even an electronic sunroof.

Tata Motors is now offering the Altroz with a sunroof and the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit. The brand has intelligently placed two small cylinders in the boot, in place of one large vessel. These cylinders fit in the cavity meant for the spare wheel, freeing up the boot space.

Tata Altroz Comfort

The Altroz gets a conventional suspension setup, including McPherson struts with coil springs on the front end. For the tail, it uses a twist beam with coil springs and shock absorbers. Resultantly, the ride is impressive. The Altroz delivers a composed ride to make long hauls look easy. The suspension can soak road undulations, expansion joints and more with grace. Plaguing the overall comfortable nature of the Altroz are its seats. The squab feels small with limited under-thigh support. The rear bench is wide with ample legroom and knee room but the under-thigh support isn’t generous.

Tata Altroz Performance and Handling

The Altroz is offered with three engine choices in the Indian market. First on the list is a 1.2L NA petrol motor that develops a peak power output of 86.8 bhp and 115 Nm of max torque. The engine can be mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In fact, one can even opt for a factory-fitted CNG kit with this motor. Next up is a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine, borrowed from the Nexon. It develops 108.5 bhp against 140 Nm and comes paired to a 5-speed stick shift gearbox. Lastly, there is a 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel, displacing 1,500 cubic centimetres of air-fuel mixtures to whip out 88.77 bhp of peak power and 200 Nm of max torque.

The Altroz offers great drivability in city runabouts with its 3-cylinder NA petrol engine, which is slightly buzzy. Tata Motors has tweaked the engine to deliver a strong low-end and mid-range pull. However, the motor feels dull on highways or during spirited driving. Coming in hot to fill this gap is the more powerful turbocharged engine. It offers strong pull off the line, and also, continues to pull all throughout the rev range. Subsequently, the Altroz iTurbo is for the enthusiasts. Those looking for a balance between outright torquey nature and frugality, the Altroz diesel might appeal to them.

Overall handling of the Altroz is precise. The steering is feedback-rich and feels direct. The braking setup also is progressive. These traits boost the driver’s confidence to keep the Altroz in its element on the road.

Tata Altroz Key specifications 

Tata Altroz Safety Features

Tata Motors’ relationship with 5-star crash test ratings needs no introduction, whatsoever. The Altroz also boasts a 5-star crash test rating and is on sale with numerous safety equipment as standard, namely ABS with EBD, dual-front airbags, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminder, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Tata Altroz Technology and Infotainment

The Altroz is retailed with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. It offers Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatibility as well. The infotainment unit is equipped with voice commands and the ConnectNext app. For audiophiles, there is an eight-speaker sound system tuned by Harman. The sound output is phenomenal but the touchscreen’s user interface feels dated for 2024. Tata Motors might soon update it with the larger and modern 10.25-inch unit seen on the facelifted Tata Nexon.

The instrument cluster on the top-spec Altroz is a semi-digital unit. The speedometer is analogue, while a 7-inch LCD sits next to it delivering all the vital information. The CNG trim, on the other hand, gets a cluttered all-digital unit, like the Tiago.

Is the Tata Altroz for You?

Tata Altroz is a capable rival to the likes of Hyundai i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It offers a tough competition to the i20 and Baleno. The 1.2L NA motor’s dull nature is slowly killing the Altroz in the Indian market. It feels puny for a rather heavy car. So, who should buy the Tata Altroz? Someone who is looking to buy a car that is high on style and safety quotient should consider the Altroz over its rivals. Also, if the need is to get home a premium hatchback that delivers the frugality of a factory-fitted CNG kit and the practicality of the boot space, then the Altroz iCNG will certainly keep you happy.