Tata recently launched the new Altroz automatic in the Indian market to take on the rivals like the Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Hyundai i20 and the Honda Jazz. This new iteration of the Altroz boasts a dual-clutch automatic gearbox that is claimed to offer an effortless and smooth driving experience. However, with a 1.2-L Revotron naturally aspirated petrol engine, does the new Tata Altroz automatic has everything that is required to make it the best automatic hatch in India? Here is what we think about the car.
Things I Like
- The new DCA gearbox is fast and smooth with shifts
- New Opera Blue colour option looks premium and attractive
- It still remains one of the most comfortable and good looking premium hatchbacks in the country right now
Could Have Been Better
- Mediocre performance as no turbo engine on offer
- Storage spaces could have been better while the bottle holders too can be
- No sunroof
It Still Looks Great
Ever since the Altroz made its debut in the Indian market, a number of rivals have received major updates but despite that, it is the Altroz that still looks better than many other premium hatchbacks in the segment. The car not only looks aggressive but also boasts a strong road presence. No major changes have been made to the Altroz save for a new exterior colour shade called the Opera Blue.
Having said this, I have always admired the Altroz for its looks and I am happy to report that the Altroz automatic continues to offer a similar styling language. In addition to this, what you will also appreciate is the build quality of the car but the panel gaps and fit-finish levels could have been better.
The Interiors Are A Nice Place To Be In!
Things remain the same inside the cabin as well and the only change that we see is the new shifter with the automatic iteration of the car. The dashboard layout remains similar and looks attractive. I personally liked the Altroz badging right below the infotainment system and icy blue coloured ambient lighting that improves the in-cabin ambience by a fair margin. The steering wheel is not only nice to hold, all thanks to the premium leather wrap, but also gets multiple buttons to control the infotainment system and the cruise control. Likewise, while there are a few storage spaces in the centre, the door trims can only house small water bottles. The sliding arm-rest at the front is placed at a comfortable position and opens up to give access to a decently sized storage console beneath it.
The seats are comfortable and the visibility from the driver's seat is great. Experience remains similar at the rear and if you are looking for a comfortable and spacious premium hatchback, the Tata Altroz will not be a bad choice for you. Having said this, while the dashboard looks great and premium, the story of average fit-finish levels continues and you will find enough rough edges here and there. On the plus side, the Altroz comes loaded with features including a semi-digital instrument console, a large touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, automatic climate control, steering mounted controls, cooled glovebox, rear AC vents, power-adjustable and folding ORVMs, etc.
Also Read: Tata Tiago iCNG Review - The Perfect CNG Car In India?
Engine, Gearbox, and Real-Life Performance
For starters, the Tata Altroz automatic is powered by the same old 1.2-L Revotron engine that churns out 86 Ps and 113 Nm of peak torque output. This engine comes mated with the new 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that Tata claims to be made specifically for Indian conditions. While the new automatic gearbox is extremely smooth and fast with its shifts, it does deserve a better and more powerful engine.
The 1.2-L Revotron engine does offer decent performance and has enough grunt to offer a decent driving experience during your daily office commute but push the vehicle hard and you will realise that the top-end is almost flat and it is when you do miss the punch of the i-Turbo motor. What makes it a great city commuter is the fact that unlike many other cars like the Baleno AMT and the Glanza AMT, the Altroz DCA will offer you a smoother and jerk-free driving experience, which in my opinion is a strong plus point of this iteration of the Altroz.
You Will Love The Suspension!
The Tata Altroz is one of the most engaging cars to drive in the segment and offers an impressive suspension setup. Not only does the car boast some serious dynamics, but the ride quality too is great. For starters, the car stays planted at higher speeds and you will definitely love chucking it into the corners. The steering wheel that stays extremely light at slow speeds does weigh up well as the speeds go up and offer a commendable feel and feedback to the driver.
Likewise, the braking performance is great and in all, the Tata Altroz is not only involving to drive but in addition to this, also offers enough confidence to the driver to push the car hard and extract maximum performance. Having said this, the road noise does filter inside the cabin as the speeds do up.
Final Verdict
The newly launched Tata Altroz offers a great package to anyone looking for an easy to drive and safe premium hatchback with aggressive exterior styling and a feature-rich cabin. While the new gearbox did not fail to impress us, it is the 1.2-L Revotron engine that is a big letdown for those looking for a fun to drive and powerful hatch. In all, it is the Altroz DCA automatic that will offer you a smooth and hassle-free driving experience. For those looking for a more powerful powertrain, the rivals will be a better choice.
Also Read: 2021 Hyundai i20 N-Line Review - Sporty Aspirations
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