Tata cars in India (22)

Tata Motors is one of the oldest car manufacturers in India. The company launched its first passenger vehicle, the Sierra, back in 1991 and has since introduced brand-defining nameplates such as the Indica, Sumo, Safari and Nano. Over the past few years, Tata has further improved its reputation because of their practical engineering: high-strength steel structures, thicker body panels than many rivals at the same price, and a habit of putting six airbags on trims where competitors still charge extra for them. Multiple Tata models, including the Nexon, Harrier, Safari, Curvv and Sierra, have earned five-star crash safety ratings from Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP. Tata car price in India starts at Rs 4.77 lakh (Tiago) and goes up to Rs 29.29 lakh (Harrier EV). 

We, at Autocar India, feel one of the reasons for Tata’s success in India is its focus on developing cars with Indian conditions in mind from the outset. Its cars are engineered to suit Indian roads, buyers and running costs, rather than adapting an existing global platform to the Indian market at a later stage. 

What Body Types Do Tata Cars Come In?

As of now, there are 21 Tata cars in India, out of which 16 are available for sale, and 5 are upcoming. Those 16 Tata models that are available fall into three body types: SUV, sedan and hatchback, with SUVs having the largest share.

Note: There is a further split in the SUV category itself. The Punch and Punch EV are sub-4-meter SUVs, a size that has benefited from lower taxes in India and helped the brand to keep its prices competitive. The Nexon, Nexon EV, Curvv, Curvv EV and Sierra sit a step above as mid-size SUVs, while the Harrier, Harrier EV and Safari are Tata's largest SUVs, with the Safari being the only 7 seater Tata car currently on sale.

We at Autocar India believe the right body type depends much more on how a car will actually be used daily than on which one looks the most appealing in a showroom. A tall SUV that aids on rough roads or when hauling large objects might simply be extra weight and expense for someone who only drives alone in urban traffic. 

Which Transmission Option Should You Pick For Your Tata Car?

Before you pick one, we at Autocar India would suggest you consider factors like: your budget, how much city traffic you deal with on a regular basis, and how much you value driving smoothness over price. Here are the transmission options available:

• Manual: This is the standard option across almost every Tata car. It is ideal for you if you are comfortable with a clutch pedal and want to keep the purchase price down.

Tata's automatic options span 4 different gearbox types: 

• AMT: It is Tata's entry-level automatic that’s offered in Tiago, Tigor, Punch, Altroz and the diesel Nexon. If you want an automatic without spending extra on a torque converter, opt for this one. Though it works well in city traffic, as per us (Autocar India), the shifts are noticeably less smooth than a proper automatic during hard acceleration.
• DCT: It is a more refined automatic that’s available on models like the turbo-petrol Nexon, the Curvv and one of the Sierra's petrol engines. This transmission would suit you if you want the automatic convenience with a sportier and more immediate throttle response than an AMT.
• TC: Tata's smoothest and most premium automatic. It is standard on the Harrier and Safari, and is also offered on the Sierra's diesel and higher-output petrol engine. Go for it if you want the most seamless gear change experience, especially while driving on highways.

Which Fuel Type Suits Your Tata Car in India?

Tata currently sells its cars in four fuel types: petrol, diesel, CNG and electric. 

Tata Petrol Cars

• Models available: Tiago, Punch, Nexon, Tigor, Sierra, Safari, Curvv, Harrier, and Altroz.
• Ideal for you if you want the lowest upfront price, the widest service and fuel availability across India, and don't cover very high monthly mileage.  

Tata Diesel Cars

• Models available: Nexon, Sierra, Safari, Curvv, Harrier, and Altroz.
• Ideal for you if you regularly cover long distances or highway-heavy routes. 

Tata Electric Cars

• Models available: Tiago EV, Punch EV, Sierra EV, Nexon EV, Curvv EV, Harrier EV, and Tigor EV.
• Ideal for you if you have reliable home or workplace charging access, drive mostly in the city, and want the lowest running cost per kilometer. As per us (Autocar India), EV infrastructure is still developing in India, so if you frequently travel long distances, plan your journey accordingly as you might have to first search for a working charger or wait in long queues.

Tata CNG Cars

• Models available: Tiago, Punch, Nexon, Tigor, and Altroz
• Ideal for you if your travel is mostly in the city and you want the lowest running cost per kilometer without paying a premium for an EV.

How is Tata’s After-Sales Service Experience?

Based on questions we (Autocar India) receive from real customers through our advice section, Tata’s after-sales service is a mixed experience rather than being consistently good or bad. It depends largely on the dealership and city. Some owners report smooth and reasonably priced routine servicing, while others have faced problems getting recurring issues fixed. 

Common complaints include:

• Long turnaround times for repairs, with some taking weeks to resolve. 
• Returning to the service center multiple times because the prior issue wasn’t actually resolved or fixed.  
• Inconsistent dealership quality, with the diagnosis of a problem sometimes depending on which service center you visit

In some serious cases, buyers only got a resolution after escalating repeatedly. 

That said, this isn't the experience of every Tata car owner. Plenty of reader questions also show real confidence in specific models and dealerships. The honest takeaway is that service quality depends more on your specific dealership than on the Tata brand as a whole. Therefore, we at Autocar India would recommend checking reviews for your local service center before you buy.