Discover the Tata Altroz: A 5-Star Rated Hatchback
Welcome to a closer look at the Tata Altroz, a stylish hatchback car known for its safety. This article focuses on the Altroz XM petrol variant, which is the second base model, presented in a crisp white color. The Tata Altroz stands out as a value-for-money option in its segment.
Front Design and Key Features
The Tata Altroz features a modern front profile. It comes with a remote central locking key, which allows you to lock and unlock the car and activate the follow-me home headlamps. The key also features the Tata logo. You get two keys with the car, one being a standard manual key. This XM variant is considered great value because it includes many features like remote central locking and wheel covers. The car also has speakers and mounted controls, though it does not come with an audio system installed.
Safety and Ground Clearance
Safety is a key highlight for the Tata Altroz, boasting an excellent 5-star safety rating. This rating is a significant advantage over other cars in its category. The Altroz also provides a comfortable 165 millimeters of ground clearance, which helps when driving on uneven roads. At the front, you will find dual wipers and washers, along with a power antenna.
Side View and Wheels
From the side, the Tata Altroz looks sleek. It is equipped with 16-inch steel rims that come with attractive wheel covers. For braking, the front wheels have disc brakes, while the rear wheels use drum brakes. You will find indicators placed on the fenders, a feature common across all Altroz variants. The side mirrors (ORVMs) have a glossy black finish and are auto-foldable, meaning they fold and unfold automatically when you lock or unlock the car. The front door handles match the car’s body color. The rear door handles are uniquely placed, integrated into the window frame.
Interior Comfort and Dashboard
Inside, the Altroz offers a well-designed dashboard. In this XM variant, there is no pre-installed audio system. However, the car comes with steering-mounted controls and factory-fitted speakers. You only need to install an audio system, and the controls and speakers will work seamlessly. The B-pillars are finished in a matte black. A notable feature is that the doors open at a wide 90-degree angle, making it very easy to get in and out of the car.
Dimensions and Fuel Capacity
The Tata Altroz is a spacious hatchback. Its overall length is 3990 millimeters, with a width of 1755 millimeters and a height of 1523 millimeters. The wheelbase measures 2501 millimeters, contributing to a stable ride and good interior space. The car has a fuel tank capacity of 37 liters, and the variant discussed here runs on petrol.
Rear Design and Boot Space
Moving to the rear, the Altroz features normal halogen-based tail lamps. The car comes with a warranty of 3 years or 1 lakh kilometers, which can be extended. This second base model does not include a rear wiper or defogger. It has a high-mount stop lamp with a black finish. The rear lights use halogen bulbs, with indicators and reverse lights integrated into the main cluster. The bumper is body-colored with a black section at the bottom. White lights illuminate the license plate. You will also find reflectors on both sides and two reverse parking sensors for added convenience.
The Altroz offers a generous boot space of 345 liters. The boot can be opened easily using a request sensor. Inside, there is also a parcel tray. The spare wheel is located below the boot floor, along with a jack and other tools. The boot also has hooks on both sides, each capable of holding up to 3 kilograms of weight. For those interested in a CNG variant, the Altroz CNG features twin cylinders that still provide about 200 liters of boot space.
Unique Engine Options
A major advantage of the Tata Altroz is that it is the only hatchback in its segment that offers a diesel engine option. This is not available in cars like the Baleno or i20. This makes the Altroz a versatile choice for buyers. The car is also a proud “Make in India” product.
For engine specifications, the Altroz comes with a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder Revotron petrol engine. This engine produces 86 BHP of power and 113 Nm of torque, offering a mileage of approximately 18 to 19 kilometers per liter. There is also a CNG option available with the petrol engine.
Alternatively, you can choose the 1.5-liter turbo-charged diesel engine. This engine delivers 88 BHP of power and 200 Nm of torque, providing an impressive mileage of about 24 to 25 kilometers per liter. The robust build quality of the Altroz, a result of its 5-star safety rating, is evident even when lifting the bonnet, which also features insulation.
Driver-Side Features and Controls
On the driver’s side, the door also opens at a wide 90-degree angle. It features child locks for safety. The driver’s door trim includes controls for all four power windows and ORVM adjustment. The seats are fabric, and the driver’s seat comes with height adjustment, even in this second base variant. There is also a seat recline option. The car has a manual transmission with ABC pedals (accelerator, brake, clutch) and a dead pedal for resting your foot. A lever is provided to open the bonnet. While there is a space for an engine start-stop button, this variant has an idle start-stop button instead.
Once inside, the dual-tone dashboard greets you. The instrument cluster is analog, with an RPM meter and a speedometer marked up to 220 km/h. In the center, there is a multi-information display (MID) screen. This screen shows various details like average mileage, outside temperature, fuel gauge, and speedometer readings.
The steering wheel features the Tata logo. It has controls for phone and infotainment functions, even without an audio system installed. The steering is tilt-adjustable, allowing you to set it to your preferred driving position. You’ll also find controls for the headlamps and wipers. The dashboard includes AC vents and a hazard light switch. Manual AC controls are present, along with a USB port, a 12V charging outlet, and some storage space.
Transmission and Drive Modes
The Tata Altroz XM variant comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. For those who prefer an automatic, a DCA (automatic) option is also available with the petrol engine in other variants. The car offers two drive modes: Eco and City, allowing you to choose based on your driving preference. There is a handbrake and two cup holders for convenience.
Enhanced Safety Features
Safety is paramount in the Altroz. Standard safety features across the range include dual airbags (one for the driver and one for the front passenger), ABS with EBD (Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), reverse parking sensors, a speed alert system, seat belt warnings, and an engine immobilizer.
The glove box is quite deep, offering good storage space for documents and other items. It also includes two cup holders. The roof has a normal IRVM (Inside Rear View Mirror) and a yellow roof light, along with a microphone for calls. The driver’s side sun visor has a ticket holder, while the passenger side visor is plain.
Pricing
The Tata Altroz XM petrol variant is priced at ₹6,90,000 (ex-showroom). The on-road price in Lucknow for this variant is ₹8,60,000.
The Tata Altroz, with its 5-star safety rating, versatile engine options, and thoughtful features, stands as a strong contender in the hatchback segment, offering great value and peace of mind.