Tata Altroz: A Premium Hatchback Offering Great Value and Safety
The Tata Altroz stands out as a premium hatchback in its segment, known for its stylish design, robust build quality, and feature-rich offerings. While available in various trims, the XZ variant is particularly highlighted as a “value for money” choice, packing a punch with features typically found in higher-end models. This article explores what makes the Tata Altroz a compelling option for car buyers.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Altroz boasts an impressive and wide stance, measuring 1755 millimeters in width, giving it a strong road presence. At the front, it features a glossy black grille with a prominent Tata logo and a sleek chrome strip. While the XZ variant comes with normal halogen headlamps, higher variants offer projector setups. The front also includes indicator placements, sturdy DRLs, and halogen-based fog lamps. The lower grille is finished in black, and the car offers a good ground clearance of 165 millimeters.
From the side, the Altroz appears proportionate with a length of 3990 millimeters, a width of 1755 millimeters, and a height of 1523 millimeters. The wheelbase measures 2501 millimeters. The XZ variant is equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, complemented by stylish wheel covers. The tire profile is 185/60 R16, with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. A notable feature is the auto-folding outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) finished in glossy black, which operate with the smart key. The doors open a wide 90 degrees, making ingress and egress very convenient for all passengers. The fuel tank capacity for petrol variants is 37 liters.
The rear profile features a high-mount stop lamp and a glossy black body panel. In the XZ variant, there is no defogger or rear wiper option. The tailgate houses the Tata logo, Altroz badging, and a reverse parking camera. The distinctive taillights, with their black finish, contribute to the car’s premium look, incorporating indicators and reverse lighting. Two ultrasonic parking sensors are integrated into the body-colored bumper, along with reflectors on both sides.
Interior Features and Comfort
Stepping inside the Altroz reveals a well-appointed dual-tone dashboard. The XZ variant features comfortable fabric seats, with a recline option for the driver’s seat, though height adjustment is not available in this specific trim. The door trims include controls for all four power windows and ORVM adjustments. Tweeters, speakers, and bottle holders are integrated into the doors, along with child locks for rear passengers.
The rear seating area is designed for comfort, with a flat seat that can comfortably accommodate two adults, with space for a third person to adjust. While there are no rear AC vents in this variant, there’s a small storage space for phones. The car offers a generous boot space of 350 liters, which is highly practical for its segment. The boot includes a light, a parcel tray, and a useful puncture repair kit, along with a steel spare wheel. For the upcoming CNG option, the Altroz will feature a twin-cylinder setup, cleverly designed to still offer substantial boot space.
The driver’s cockpit features an engine start/stop button. The instrument cluster includes an analog RPM meter and a speedometer marked up to 220 kmph, alongside a multi-information display (MID) that shows fuel gauge, audio information, trip details, average mileage, and range. The tilt-adjustable steering wheel is equipped with controls for cruise control, infotainment, and telephone. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via USB, and displays the feed from the reverse parking camera. Below the infotainment system, a fully automatic climate control system ensures cabin comfort. Other interior amenities include a USB port, a 12V charging socket, a 5-speed manual gearbox, a handbrake, two cup holders, and a deep glove box with a light and two cup holders. The cabin also features a manually adjustable IRVM, yellow cabin lights, and sun visors with a ticket holder on the driver’s side and a vanity mirror on the passenger’s side.
Power and Performance Options
The Tata Altroz offers a choice of engine options to suit different preferences:
- Petrol: A 1.2-liter Revotron petrol engine that produces 86 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque. This engine is claimed to deliver a mileage of around 17 kmpl.
- Diesel: A 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine that generates 90 PS of power and 200 Nm of torque. The diesel variant is claimed to offer an impressive mileage of approximately 25 kmpl.
- CNG: An upcoming CNG option will also be available, further expanding the fuel choices for buyers.
- Automatic Transmission: A DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) automatic option is exclusively available with the petrol engine variants.
Safety You Can Trust
The Tata Altroz is renowned for its exceptional safety, having been awarded a 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP. This makes it one of the safest premium hatchbacks on the road. Key safety features include:
- Dual airbags
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Reverse parking sensors
- Reverse parking camera
- Speed alert system
- Seatbelt warning
- Engine immobilizer
The car’s strong build quality and heavy doors contribute significantly to its high safety standards, reflecting a brand achievement of “50 Lakhs cars in 25 Years.” The Altroz competes with vehicles like the Hyundai i20 but stands out with its superior build quality and safety.
Variants and Pricing
The Tata Altroz is available in multiple variants, including XE, XM+, XT, XZ, XZ+, and XZ+ Optional. The ex-showroom price for the Altroz range starts from approximately ₹6.60 Lakh. The top-end models can go beyond ₹12 Lakh on-road in cities like Lucknow.
Specifically, the XZ petrol variant, known for its value proposition, is priced around ₹8.80 Lakh (ex-showroom), which translates to roughly ₹9.80 Lakh on-road in Lucknow. Diesel variants are typically about ₹1 Lakh more expensive than their petrol counterparts. The car comes with a warranty of 3 years or 1 lakh kilometers, whichever comes first.
Why the Tata Altroz XZ is a Smart Choice
The Tata Altroz XZ variant presents an excellent package for those seeking a premium hatchback with a balance of features, safety, and value. It offers an advanced infotainment system, reverse parking camera, cruise control, smart keyless entry, and auto-fold ORVMs, all while retaining its 5-star safety rating. For buyers looking for even more luxury, higher variants of the Altroz will offer additional features like a sunroof (also available with the upcoming CNG option), wireless charging, and ventilated front seats, as showcased in recent auto expos.
The Tata Altroz continues to be a strong contender in the premium hatchback segment, offering a compelling blend of style, performance, and class-leading safety.
