The Tata Altroz is the latest entrant in the premium hatchback segment with a factory-fitted CNG kit that's been launched at Rs 7.55 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It competes with the Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG and Toyota Glanza CNG. The only premium hatchback that doesn’t offer a factory-fitted CNG kit is the Hyundai i20.

Factory-fitted CNG kits have been steadily increasing in popularity in India. Earlier, only entry-level hatchbacks like the Grand i10 Nios, Tiago, Wagon R and Celerio were available with a CNG kit. However, of late, even the premium hatchback segment has started getting factory-fitted CNG kits. The Baleno was the first premium hatchback in the country to offer a CNG kit, followed by its cousin from Toyota – the Glanza. The launch of the Altroz CNG should put some pressure on Hyundai to launch the i20 with a CNG kit.

So how does Tata Motors’ new CNG hatchback fare against its rivals from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota? We compare the Altroz CNG with the Baleno CNG and Glanza CNG in terms of size, powertrain and price, on paper. 

Tata Altroz CNG vs rivals: dimensions

While all hatchbacks have the same length, the Altroz CNG is the largest one here, being the widest and tallest of the lot. Despite the same overall length, measuring 3,990mm, the Altroz has the shortest wheelbase at 2,501mm, while the Baleno and Glanza have a wheelbase of 2,520mm. Tata Motors’ hatchback measures 1,755mm in width and 1,523mm in height, while the Toyota and Maruti Suzuki twins measure 1,745mm and 1,500mm in width and height, respectively.

An advantage that the Altroz CNG has over its rivals is the 210 litres boot space, thanks to Tata’s new twin-cylinder technology that places two CNG tanks under the boot floor. Since the Baleno CNG and Glanza CNG use a conventional CNG tank, their boots have minimal usable space. Tata Motors hasn’t mentioned the weight of the Altroz CNG, but the Baleno and Glanza’s CNG versions weigh 1,450kg each. 

Tata Altroz CNG vs rivals: powertrains

The Altroz CNG gets a 1,199cc, three-cylinder engine that makes 73.5hp in CNG and 88hp in petrol mode. The Baleno CNG and Glanza CNG get a 1,197cc, four-cylinder engine producing 77.5hp and 90hp in CNG and petrol mode, respectively. While the Altroz has a slightly larger cubic capacity engine, it has one cylinder less than its rivals. Despite this, it makes the most torque – 103Nm in CNG mode and 115Nm in petrol mode – out of the lot, with the other two producing 98.5Nm and 113Nm in CNG and petrol mode, respectively.

All three hatchbacks use a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard and do not get an automatic gearbox with the CNG kit. The Altroz's dual-CNG tanks are the largest – 30 litres each – while the other two have a large, 55-litre CNG tank each. 

Tata Altroz CNG vs rivals: price

In terms of price, the Altroz CNG, interestingly, has the lowest starting price and the highest ending price as well. It also has the highest number of trims – six – and three of those get a sunroof, a first for a premium CNG hatchback. The Baleno and Glanza only get two trims each. The Altroz CNG’s starting price is Rs 80,000 lower than the Baleno CNG and Rs 95,000 lower than the Glanza CNG. However, the top-spec Altroz is Rs 1.27 lakh more than the Baleno CNG and Rs 1.2 lakh more than the Glanza CNG.