Tata Altroz

Tata Altroz Quick Review

Like many of Tata Motors’ new-gen cars, the Altroz too looks like a concept car for the road. The shark nose-like front end, upswept windows ...

Like many of Tata Motors’ new-gen cars, the Altroz too looks like a concept car for the road. The shark nose-like front end, upswept windows and edgy tail elevate the overall look of the car. Black embellishments at the grille, windows and boot lid have also been used to great effect. The interior is not quite as cutting edge as the exterior, but you'll like what you see. The Altroz's free-standing 7.0-inch touchscreen is positioned high up (and hence in clear sight), and what adds some flavour here is the layered effect of the dash. Material quality is good by class standards but there are places where the panel gaps aren't consistent. Large seats means comfort up front is well taken care of but the Altroz's thick A-pillars do create blindspots, especially on the near side. The Altroz might not be the roomiest of the premium hatchbacks but there's enough knee room for six footers to sit at the back in comfort, and the flat floor makes life easy for the middle passenger too. A well-shaped 345-litre boot adds practicality to the package. There's much to like about the way the Altroz drives. The suspension manages to absorb the rough stuff at low speeds with ease and high-speed stability is impressive. Turn-in is slick (better so on the heavier diesel) and there's a lovely feeling of connect at the steering. The Tata Altroz’s 86hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine is pleasant at low speeds but that pep you get in a Baleno is simply missing. The engine doesn't have much to give at the top end and revving the engine only draws your attention to the thrum from the three-cylinder engine. A light clutch makes the Altroz petrol easy to live with in town, but again, the 5-speed gearbox isn't the slickest in the business. It's the diesel Altroz that feels like the more complete package. The 90hp, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine can feel a bit hesitant in low-speed driving but it's quick to settle into a rhythm too. The build up of power is linear from low down in the rev range, and if you keep the engine in its comfort zone, you'll manage to rake up the kilometres without much fuss. If anything, the engine does become gravelly beyond 3,000rpm and it isn't quite in Hyundai diesel territory when talking refinement. Of the other things, the diesel Altroz's clutch action is light enough but the 5-speed gearbox feels its best with gentle inputs.