Tata Tiago

Tata Tiago

The Tata Tiago has been a revelation from Tata Motors, being one of the first models to announce its new design philosophy in the Indian market. It still sells handsomely in the market for its features, design, and overall performance. 

How is the design? 

The Tata Tiago’s design has inputs from the global design studios of the company. It manifests the new version of the family car design template with its signature front grille and the swept-back look for the headlights. The bumper has already been given several elements for looks and air flow alike. The Tiago is a smart car overall, with its shoulder line that fuses into the taillights and the 14-inch alloy wheels. The hatchback also gets a striking rear design, with its wraparound taillights, spoiler, angular boot lid, and more. The Tiago’s fog lamps are well designed while the bonnet has been raised for some additional definition. The wheels also seem chunky enough for their arches while the upward sweeping windows make for a nice touch as well. The rear bumper looks attractive, along with the chiselled tailgate. The roof-mounted little spoiler is also a nice touch for the car. 

How does it perform? 

The Tiago had new diesel and petrol engines in its line-up and are paired to 5-speed manual and AMT options. The petrol engine makes use of aluminum construction (lightweight) along with the DOHC four-valve per cylinder system and variable cam timing alongside. The power and torque figures are decent although the Tiago is not as responsive or sporty as you would think. The petrol engine revs slowly and there is only sufficient performance with nothing that surpasses expectations. The engine has to be given a push to work at its optimum levels. You will feel this even more while using the third gear in congested city traffic. There is abrupt and sometimes non-linear power delivery. The clutch is quite light, and the gearbox is not as smooth shifting. Refinement levels of the engine are good enough. The diesel engine has been discontinued although the Tiago does come with a CNG option now. 

How is the mileage? 

• Petrol Manual- 20.09 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 20.09 kmpl
• CNG Manual- 26.49 km/kg 

How is the driving experience? 

The Tiago comes with drive modes which are a first in the segment by all means. The default mode is the City mode while the Eco mode also boosts overall mileage. This is only useful on the highway. The ride quality is superb with the firm feel and the ability to take potholes and bumps with neat cornering and tyre grip. The car offers excellent straight-line stability along with a planted feel on the road alongside. The suspension system is decent enough as well. 

What’s the interior like? 

The Tiago offers decent interior quality and finishes. There are several storage zones, including slots and bottle holders. The Tiago gets the infotainment system which connects to the user’s smartphone for music, calls, and navigation. The steering wheel also has controls for the same. The car offers great interior space with supportive and comfortable seats. The cabin feels light and airy with its big rear windows. Three passengers may not always be comfortable at the back, although it is manageable for shorter distances. The cabin offers high-quality plastics with a textured dashboard finish as well. There are a few awkward bits, though. The steering wheel is, however, chunky and looks neat. The Harman infotainment unit is a talking point with its USB, AUX, and Bluetooth. The Juke Car app is another interesting feature. Yet, the air conditioning may be a concern, with its noisy blower and poor-quality knobs. There is sizable space for storage, as mentioned, while the glove box has a soft release. 

Tech and infotainment 

The Harman infotainment system is the main calling card for the Tiago, with several connectivity features. There is also smartphone sync for navigation and music along with calls. The Juke Car app feature is handy, enabling each passenger to add songs they prefer. 

Safety equipment

The Tiago offers decent safety features, including dual front airbags, EBD, ABS, rear parking sensors, and corner stability control. 

Which variant to buy? 

The XB variant is the basic one without even air conditioning. It only has a few standard options and may not be the preferred choice. The slightly costlier XE/XE (O) versions may be better options for the front power outlet, driver seat height change, seatbelt reminder, and other safety features. However, you should go for the optional pack. The XM/XM (O) comes with four power windows, interior lamps, collapsible grab handles, central locking, and more safety features. The XT version gives you the ConnectNext Harman infotainment unit with speakers, connectivity, navigation, and a lot more. It is nominally costlier than the previous variant. This is the one with the most value. The XZ variant is also not as costly over the XT and gets a lot of kit for the price. This is ideal if the budget does not constrain you, while the XT variant is the value pick. 

Which cars compete in this segment? 

The Tata Tiago competes with rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki Wagoner and the Datsun Redi-Go in its segment, along with the Hyundai Santro. It is the longest and widest in this category with the most powerful CNG engine, while the Celerio has the most fuel-efficient CNG engine. The petrol engine is sporty enough to take on the competition while the Tiago does not score as well in terms of fuel economy. It is also costlier at the top end than some of its competitors. However, it still holds its own as a value offering for buyers. 

Verdict (Value for money) 

Tata Motors has certainly revamped its entire hatchback philosophy with the Tiago. It has offered a lot more features, a better safety kit, and a pleasing design with the hatchback. The engine is refined and ensures good performance overall. The only downer could be the fuel economy (some rivals perform better) and the higher pricing for the top-end variants. However, the Tata Tiago still feels like a good buy in the category.