The Tata Altroz has always been a well-made hatchback — safe, practical, and comfortable. However, in a country obsessed with SUVs, the hatchback segment is rapidly shrinking and the refreshed Altroz aims to draw more attention with updated styling, a feature-rich cabin and three powertrain choices: petrol, CNG and diesel, making it the only diesel hatchback currently on sale in India! With the competition fading and buyers increasingly turning to crossovers, does this facelift make the Altroz stand out? We drove the diesel and iCNG versions to find out if the updates make it a more compelling alternative in the premium hatchback space.
The new Altroz’s looks are now in sync with Tata’s latest design language. At the front, it gets sharper twin-pod LED headlamps with sleek DRLs, a new 3D grille, and a revised bumper housing the LED fog lamps which result in a bolder, more aggressive look. At the rear, new smoked taillamp clusters are connected by an LED strip that integrates well with the piano black panel and the shapely rear glass. The new rear bumper and gloss black elements on the side mirrors add to the sporty vibe. The 16-inch wheels have a new five-spoke design with a diamond-turned finish and look attractive. Tata has also made subtle changes to the front doors by adding illuminated flush-fitting door handles for a cleaner profile.
Inside, the dashboard has been fully re-designed with a dual-tone black and beige finish, textured surfaces, and horizontal AC vents resembling those on other Tata vehicles, all of which lift the cabin’s ambience. The 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and the two-spoke steering wheel have been borrowed from the Nexon.ev. The driver’s binnacle now utilses a 7-inch display flanked by a semi-digital tachometer on the left and similar fuel and temperature gauges on the right. The top Accomplished+S variant gets a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Capacitive buttons on the central console control key functions and get physical toggle switches to adjust the temperature and fan speed of the climate control system. The overall design looks cleaner and more premium than before. The quality of the materials as well as the finishing have also noticeably improved, and the cabin feels roomier thanks to the lighter colour tones.
Front seat comfort in the Altroz was always good, and has only improved with this facelift. The large seats with their supportive bolstering now get enhanced under-thigh support courtesy of a raised segment on the seat squabs. The rear bench also gets this upgrade endowing the new Altroz with segment-leading under-thigh support. This being the widest car in its segment, three people can be easily accommodated at the rear. Boot space in the petrol and diesel-powered Altroz remains unchanged at 345 litres, which is still class-leading. The CNG version gets two small CNG tanks which sit under the boot floor and manages to offer 210 litres of space. The rear seatback still doesn’t split but liberates quite a bit of space for luggage once folded down.
Tata has loaded the facelift with usable, clever features. Adjustable front armrests, a foldable rear armrest, large bottle holders, 65W Type-C charging ports (front and rear), and even umbrella storage slots in the front doorcards are present, aiming to make life easier for the occupants. The 10.25-inch infotainment system is slick and now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A segment-first 360-degree camera with switchable views is a very helpful add-on. Safety measures have also been upgraded with six airbags and ESP now offered as standard across the range. The Xpress Cool function which automatically rolls down the driver-side window and runs the aircon on full blast to rapidly cool the cabin has been retained and is a smart feature for Indian conditions. This is the Accomplished S variant and gets goodies like TPMS, LED fog lamps with cornering function and height-adjustable seat belts. The top variant gets blind spot monitoring, an air purifier and Tata’s iRA connected car suite as well.
We put the diesel and CNG variants through their paces. The 1.5-litre diesel still makes 90PS and delivers strong mid-range performance, especially in city traffic. It feels punchy and refined, though the lack of a 6th gear is missed on highways and I hope an automatic would make its way to the line up sooner rather than later. The CNG is smooth and silent, with a linear power delivery that’s ideal for urban driving. It lacks the diesel’s punch but feels efficient and easygoing, perfect for cost-conscious buyers. Tata has retained the Altroz’s strength — its balance between comfort and handling. The suspension handles potholes and bad roads in a brilliant manner and keeps passengers isolated from shocks. Around the corners, it remains composed with minimal body roll. Steering is well-weighted and adds confidence at higher speeds. The Altroz is an enjoyable hatch to drive, yet remains very comfortable through daily use.
Tata has retained what worked from the original recipe and added thoughtful updates to make the Altroz relevant again. With its sharp looks, tech-packed interior, and the option of a diesel engine, the Altroz facelift feels more appealing than ever. While the diesel could do with an automatic gearbox and a punchier turbo-petrol motor would also be welcome (we want a Racer version of the facelift as well!). It checks most boxes for buyers wanting a safe, roomy, and comfortable hatch. If you’re looking for a premium hatchback that’s practical, feature-rich, efficient, and still fun to drive, the Altroz can definitely be one of the top options.
