Tata Altroz facelift : Tata Motors is not new to taking brave decisions and the same can be said about the Altroz Facelift.
The original Altroz already had fair bit in its favour, what with its sharp styling, strong build quality and 5-star Global NCAP rating.
But in a target market that’s increasingly fickle and demanding, Tata knew that it had to bring some refreshment.
The Altroz facelift doesn’t rock the boat entirely, but it does sand the edges, refine the feel and pack in a bit more tech to make sure it still maintains its fight in the hot hatchback segment.
Design: Minor Adjustments, Bolder Stand
The Altroz was already one of the best-looking hatchbacks in its segment, and the facelift just makes it that much more appealing without going over the top.
Modifications are relatively small overall but add lot of visual drama including reworked bumpers, new grille pattern, smoked headlamps and fresh alloy wheels.
Tata has smartly refrained from messing too much with what already worked. The sporty stance, the sharp character lines and the coupe-like roofline remain, but the Altroz now feels a bit more premium, a bit more mature.
It’s eye-catching on the road—not by looking like it’s screaming for attention, but by its confident, athletic stance.
Interiors: More Tech, More Comfort More luxury, more connectivity and more driver-assist technology are in.
Hop in, and then the differences are more noticeable. Dashboard layout is largely identical, but while the facelift ads a larger 10.25-inch central touchscreen, a new digital in instrument cluster, and updated center console.
Tata has also managed to deliver a better quality dashboard, more modern looking air vents and cleaner touch controls for the climate system.
The cabin is still spacious and well-constructed, at least in terms of rear-seat space.
There is plenty of head and leg room and the load space, at 345 litres, the boot remains useably big.
Whether you’re the one sitting behind the steering wheel or just lounging in the back, the Altroz is a more refined and grown-up car than it has ever been.
Performance: Same Heart, Different Attitude
And under the hood, not much has changed. Tata drives ahead using the proven (depending on variant and region) 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel trinity.
The base petrol is smooth and city-friendly, but it’s in the turbocharged engine that you’ll find the spark for your everyday drives.
The Altroz isn’t a real hot hatch but the turbo version is at home on highways and fun runs.
The 5-speed manual is still best for the enthusiast, but Tata’s dual-clutch automatic (DCA) feels less ponderous post the face-lift in its react-time and smoothness of shifts.
Ride and Handling: Smooth and Surefooted
One thing that’s remained unchanged — and thankfully so — is how this car handles.
With its stiff body, nicely calibrated suspension and low center of gravity, the car feels planted, stable and self-assured, whether you’re darting through tight corners or cruising across city potholes.
The steering is light for the urban runabout you’ll want it to be, but it weights up just enough when you work it harder. It’s a genuinely fun-driving car that does not forget to care about comfort.
Safety and Features
Tata has added more kit to the facelift. Aside from the 5-star safety rating, you also get 6 airbags (top trims), ESC, the rear parking camera, connected car tech, voice commands, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Pros
Sturdy and stylish with all the quality updates
Roomy interior with enhanced infotainment
Turbo petrol engine delivers peppy performance
Sharp and refined ride and handling balance
5-star safety rating reliable with a touch of luxury
Cons
The entry-level petrol engine is dull to drive
No sunroof even in top trims
DCA transmission limited to certain models
NVH could have been better in diesel variant
Higher trims receive most of the feature updates
Tata Altroz facelift: Final Verdict
The Tata Altroz Facelift doesn’t really shake things up much – and that’s a positive. It doesn’t need to: it already has a very solid base to build on and simply brings enough polish, tech and pizzazz to the table to keep it fresh and desirable.
And those in the market for a fun-to-drive, good looking and safe premium hatch, the Altroz continues to stand tall.