That said, the Tiago continues with the same powertrain options as before, including the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine as a pure gasoline engine or fuelled by CNG. There’s significant changes to the car’s appearance inside-out though, along with the addition of a list of new features, aimed at elevating the Tiago’s positioning and having it offer a more premium vibe than before. The Tiago’s face looks sharper now thanks to the new, sleek-looking headlamps which also get a black outline, the gloss black panel connecting the headlamps and also the new clamshell bonnet. The front bumper has been redesigned too and looks sportier, besides getting a wider intake area. 

Like the EV, the petrol and i-CNG versions also get cladding made from recycled materials on the wheel arches, but in a different colour. Intriguingly though, only the top variant of the Tiago petrol comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, while the CNG makes-do with smaller, 14-inch steel wheels. The rear end looks similar to the EV’s as the petrol and CNG version both get the same connected, but not fully illuminated lighting arrangement. Overall, the Tiago is a very cheerful looking car, especially thanks to the bright colour options it is on offer with, which also add to the car’s youthfulness. 

The cabin has been refreshed thoroughly too, and while it does look similar to the Tiago EV’s, there are a few differences. You get the same fabric like finish on the dashboard here as well, but in a different hue, besides which the seats are upholstered in a different colour too. The steering wheel looks a little different and gets the conventional Tata Motors logo, though the 10.25-inch touchscreen and instrument cluster are the same. Tata Motors has also switched to a rotary drive selector for the AMT version from the erstwhile stubby lever, which has helped in liberating space in the centre console. 

Another interesting design bit are the AC vents protruding from either end of the dashboard, as they look sporty and are very effective at channeling air towards occupants. The front seats provide better under thigh support and more comfort now, thanks to the improved cushioning. 20 percent of the cabin is made from recycled materials too. In keeping with its tradition, Tata Motors has also added some Easter eggs, and you now get a squirrel in various places, meant to imply the hatchback’s positioning as a tiny but energetic hatchback. Overall, the cabin feels very plush and upmarket, besides which fit-finish levels have improved too, and the Tiago now has what is the best looking cabin in its segment. 

Like the EV, you get a bunch of new features now including 360-degree view and blind spot monitoring, both segment firsts, and the views and camera resolution are impressive. Oddly, wireless charging is exclusive to the top-spec petrol variant though, and you cannot have it in the i-CNG. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled glovebox and more too, helping ensure the Tiago is one of the most feature-rich cars at its price point. 

Given that there are no mechanical changes the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine offers the same 86PS and 113Nm as before in the pure petrol version and 76PS and 95Nm in the i-CNG. Acceleration in the petrol version is reasonably quick, but the CNG version lets you feel its 10PS and 18Nm deficit. You can switch from CNG mode to pure petrol mode by simply pressing a button on the dashboard though, and the switch from petrol to CNG and vice-versa feels pretty seamless too. The Tiago CNG can also be had with an AMT, and in fact, the Tiago is the first CNG-fuelled car to come with paddle shifters for its AMT! The transmission impresses for driving in traffic and the paddles also add to convenience, and I expect a lot of CNG buyers to opt for the AMT. The petrol version we drove was the manual one with a 5-speed gearbox, which impressed with its short throws and light clutch. 

With no changes to the suspension setup the Tiago feels as impressive as ever on the ride quality front. The suspension soaks up broken roads very well, adding to the car’s likeable manners. There is some amount of body roll around corners along with a hint of understeer when driving spiritedly, but things never feel out of control, and overall, the balance between ride and handling is good. 

Overall, the updated Tiago feels like a breath of fresh air, because small cars, especially hatchbacks, are always fun to drive. And in the Tiago’s case, Tata Motors has done a commendable job of ensuring it feels relevant even a decade after its launch given the updates, especially the refreshed cabin that feels more premium and efficient powertrains. Prices are quite attractive too, as the petrol version retails from  ₹4.69 lakh ex-showroom. At the prices and given its packaging, the Tiago certainly makes a strong case for itself as a compact city car even today, especially as compared to compact SUVs!

Words Abhay Verma

Photography Saidatta Naik, Swapnil Dhawale

The post 2026 Tata Tiago First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

Design-wise you’d be hard-pressed to differentiate between the Nexon iCNG and its petrol and diesel counterparts. The exterior styling is identical, down to the choice of paintjobs. The cool-looking Creative Ocean colour scheme you see here, isn’t exclusive to the CNG variant either. No differentiation isn’t a bad thing here. The Nexon has always been a good-looking SUV and post its facelift last year, looks even more futuristic and premium now.

The cabin too is similar to the petrol and diesel powered Nexon. It features the same dashboard and seats though, If you look closely though, the instrument console features a tiny CNG fuel level on the bottom left side besides and a CNG mode ratio which shows the percentage of CNG and petrol used during the drive. It even gets a CNG switch button on the centre console touch panel. The Nexon iCNG gets the same features as its ICE siblings and has a feature packed cabin. This includes the panoramic sunroof – a first for a CNG-powered vehicle.
While the Nexon iCNG gets the full gamut of safety features, it gets a specific safety kit in the form of auto cylinder leak detection and a fire extinguisher below the co-driver seat.

One of the major compromises with owning a CNG car is the significantly small or non-existent boot space. The Nexon iCNG uses dual-CNG cylinders instead of a single large cylinder that frees up 321 litres of boot space. That’s just 61 litres less than its ICE siblings. The spare wheel now sits under the vehicle. The Nexon always impressed with its cabin space and it’s no different with the iCNG.

The Nexon iCNG is powered by a bi-fuel (CNG and petrol) 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged motor which delivers 100PS and 170Nm in CNG mode. That’s a drop of 20PS from the Nexon’s turbo-petrol motor while the torque output remains the same. 100PS in CNG mode is quite impressive and translates to a quick drive. The motor is responsive and surprisingly sporty, not a word you’d associate with CNG engines. The driveability is quite impressive as well allowing for fewer gear changes in the city. The motor is refined and it is only when you rev it hard do you hear and feel the three-cylinder thrum.
The only issue here is the engine only comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, there is no automatic transmission on offer. The Nexon iCNG offers a claimed 24km/kg so with the 9kg fuel tank capacity, that should translate to a range of around 216 kilometres.

Prices for the Tata Nexon iCNG start at Rs 8.99 lakh ex-showroom, going up to Rs 14.59 lakh, with eight variants to choose from. The lower variants of the Nexon iCNG are priced similarly to the CNG variants of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Taisor and undercut the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG.
CNG vehicles have been looked down upon in the automotive sphere as they lack performance and in many cases, features in a bid to keep costs low. The Nexon iCNG seems set to change that. The Nexon iCNG marries the spaciousness and features of the SUV with a powerful and efficient turbocharged motor so you do not get the compromises associated with the CNG. However, it still does not offer the convenience of an automatic. Now this CNG motor with an automatic gearbox would be a hard combination to beat.

The post Tata Nexon iCNG: First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

Tata has been a strong force in this segment with multiple vehicles in its portfolio offering a CNG variant. More importantly, the carmaker has taken conscious steps to tackle the prominent concerns faced by CNG vehicle users, particularly the trade-off between boot space and the absence of automatic transmission. The first issue has been ingeniously addressed through its Twin-Cylinder technology, initially unveiled at the 2023 Auto Expo and made its way into the Tata Tigor CNG, last year which is the manual transmission variant. The Tigor iCNG too makes use of this setup but more importantly, brings in an automatic gearbox version in the mix, making it the first CNG sedan in the country to do so. 

There isn’t any cosmetic difference between the standard Tigor CNG and its iCNG variant, save for the addition of a new colour option – Meteor Bronze and looks good in combination with the chrome all around.  The interiors too remain unchanged and get features like leatherette seats, a 7-inch Harman infotainment screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digitised driver’s display, rain-sensing wipers, push-button start, automatic headlamps, and steering-mounted controls.

Tata’s unique approach involves placing two cylinders positioned laterally in the boot as seen on the manual variant, instead of the conventional method of placing one large CNG tank. This move offers better space utilisation and liberates additional boot capacity. Although the boot space numbers haven’t been disclosed, the Tigor iCNG AMT comfortably accommodates two cabin bags along with miscellaneous items. The twin CNG cylinders have a combined water capacity of 70 litres which is the same as the manual variant. Moreover, the system boasts a leak detection mechanism, transitioning between CNG and petrol modes as needed. Noteworthy safety features include a micro switch that automatically shuts off the vehicle when the fuel filler flap is opened, ensuring added peace of mind. Also, in the event of a thermal incident, a specialised nozzle facilitates the safe release of CNG into the atmosphere.

The gearbox in question is a 5-speed AMT paired with a 1.2-litre petrol engine. While the petrol powertrain produces 86PS and 113Nm, in CNG mode, it delivers 73.4PS and 95Nm. Despite a slight dip in the power figures on paper when comparing the Petrol and CNG modes, there isn’t a significant difference on the road. The CNG mode offers adequate performance in the city while delivering acceptable NVH levels. The powertrain is smooth to redline with little to no vibrations. There is a thrum that you typically get from a 3-cylinder engine when you mash the throttle in both petrol and CNG modes. Switching between the two modes is as easy as pressing a button on the centre console and works seamlessly.

The AMT gearbox is impressive. While the shifts aren’t as quick as other gearboxes, it is quite smooth for an AMT. It also has a dedicated manual mode which can be used via the gear lever. In manual mode, the shifts take a tad bit longer but isn’t a deal-breaker considering you will be primarily using it for urban commutes. It is intuitive and will downshift even at triple-digit speeds when you floor it. It has a creep function allowing for speeds of upto 7kmph without throttle assist. However, it isn’t well attuned for inclines as the car starts rolling back. The lack of hill hold assist too is a bummer. 

The extra weight of CNG cylinders in the boot led Tata to retune the rear suspension, which helps maintain ground clearance at 165mm, still 5mm less than the petrol variant. While the front tends to bounce, the rear remains compliant and composed when tackling potholes and speed breakers. The suspension tuning hasn’t significantly altered the driving dynamics, with the car still tuned to understeer in corners. The steering feels light, especially beneficial in city conditions, and does not weigh up at higher speeds. Stopping power is good, with discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear; the pedal offers a good amount of bite and decent travel. Overall the ride and handling is something that is expected in the car and best suited for urban conditions.

The Tata Tigor iCNG AMT is priced at Rs 8.85 lakh for the XZA variant, while the XZA+ variant is priced at Rs 9.55 lakh ex-showroom, a Rs 60,000 premium over the manual CNG variant. While the pricing is slightly on the higher end, considering the additional convenience factor provided by the AMT gearbox and the fact that the Tigor iCNG AMT is the only car in its segment, it presents a more compelling option for buyers looking for a CNG car with an automatic transmission. Offering more options is always beneficial for consumers, ultimately ensuring a better experience.

The post Tata Tigor iCNG AMT: First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.