Three power systems, one character. Whether you choose petrol, CNG or electric, the new Tiago has something to suit your lifestyle and driving style.
In a bid to keep up with changing trends and changing tastes, Tata Motors has launched a completely redesigned Tiago – a car that bears the same name as its predecessor but is otherwise little different. From the front bumper to the rear, from the dashboard to the rear windshield, everything has been rethought and redone. This is not plastic surgery. This is not a refresh. For all practical purposes, it is a new car.
Standing in front of the new Thiago, I immediately felt something different. Its front end is flatter, wider and more confident than the car it replaces – making it far more capable on the road than its hatchback category. This is evident in the electric version. The petrol and iCNG versions feature a wide, horizontal black grille that stretches almost from one corner to the lower bumper, with a flat louver pattern and a slightly textured finish, while the electric version lacks this detail.
Look closely, and you’ll start to see the influences: a bit of Alteroz’s sharp, high-minded language here, a nod to the original Thiago’s approachable character there. It’s a thoughtful blend, and it works. The wheel arch cladding adds to this effect, making the car look wider and more muscular, while the textured textured finish keeps it from being too flashy. At the front, LED headlights with integrated DRLs complete the picture.
internal
Walking inside, the changes are even more astonishing. This isn’t just a patch job. It’s been completely rethought – new architecture, new proportions, and a completely different feel the moment you sit down. Soft materials abound on the dashboard, doors, center console and all the way to the rear. The fabric-wrapped finish adds warmth and texture, although the plastic on the jambs feels a bit rough—perhaps due to the company’s use of 20 percent recycled material, a laudable sustainability move that comes with its own minor trade-offs.
A 10.25-inch HD infotainment screen with wireless connectivity and a large tech console with a dedicated smartphone platform (no wireless charging) bring technology into the mix while making the cabin feel welcoming rather than bland. Even the smallest details have received the attention they deserve – window switches, button textures, the placement of each control and the rear air conditioning vents. Nothing seems to be accidental.
Safety
In terms of safety, the new Tiago is understated but convincing. The Safety Dome includes more than 90 safety features, six airbags and an ultra-high-strength steel body to provide 360-degree protection for every occupant. A 360-degree surround-view camera, blind-sight monitor, electronic stability program and hill-hold control make this package as reassuring in the city as it is on winding ghat roads. That’s a truly impressive list for a car in this price range.
Variants
The Tiago comes in three variants – petrol, CNG and electric – each catering to a different type of buyer. Petrol cars are for those who want day-to-day flexibility, CNG is for city drivers looking to reduce running costs, and electric cars are for those who are ready to go green without having to worry about range. The floating dashboard, 360-degree surround-view camera and impressive AC performance all lend themselves to real-world driving – particularly on narrow country roads and congested urban areas, where the surround-view camera proves truly invaluable in all variants. The petrol version comes with alloy wheels, while the other two get steel wheels with ultra-styled wheel covers.
Behind the wheel — three cars, one character
After driving all three variants back-to-back, what stands out most is the Tiago’s consistency across the range. Thigh support makes a noticeable difference on long drives, improved visibility inspires confidence in city traffic, and at this price point, the breadth of safety and convenience features will make you wonder why you need to spend more. Tata Motors has made no secret of its intention: to bring features that were once the province of premium cars into the hands of everyday buyers.
Gasoline engine – stable and responsive
The petrol Tiago continues to be powered by the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 86 hp and 113 Nm of torque, figures that are more than adequate for what this car is designed to do. The engine pulls smoothly from low speeds to higher gears effortlessly, resulting in a relaxing driving experience that makes city commuting truly stress-free. On the highway, it cruises comfortably at around 120 km/h. Downshifting still makes it easier to complete overtaking with confidence.
Issues of note (though not alarming) are engine noise in the cabin and a bit of vibration in the gear lever. Vibrations lessen as speed increases, but engine noise remains mild even at low speeds thanks to the three-cylinder configuration.
The five-speed manual transmission matched to the engine is a real plus. Shifts are light and effortless, the clutch is manageable enough for busy city traffic, and the gear changes are smoother, making it a joy to drive.
Compressed natural gas option
The CNG model deserves special mention. As India’s first AMT CNG car, it brings together the two things that city drivers care about most – the ease of use of an automatic transmission and the economy of CNG driving. It makes a good first impression with a simple but useful feature – it starts directly in CNG mode, skipping the petrol switch required by most CNG cars.
Under the hood, the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine does its thing, producing 75 hp and 96.5 Nm of torque on CNG – slightly less than the petrol version. In the city, you’ll barely notice the difference. The car keeps up with traffic with ease, cuts through gaps with confidence and feels very at ease in the stop-and-go situations that make up most Indian commutes. It’s only on the motorway, when quick overtaking is required, that the CNG’s slightly more relaxed nature becomes apparent – it requires a little more throttle input than petrol, but it gets the job done. Paddle shifters come into play here – a first for a CNG automatic transmission in this class – making overtaking easier and more confident. The rotary gear selector is smooth and intuitive, and you can quickly shift between forward and reverse gears simply by pressing the brake pedal hard.
Electric vehicles – fast, powerful and reassuring
Tiago.ev makes a compelling case for electrification without making it feel like a leap of faith. Switch it into Sport mode and 114 Nm of instant torque will push you back in your seat – it accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, which is really quick for a car in this segment and price range. For those worried about running out of juice, the fast-charging feature can add 100 kilometers of range in just 18 minutes, enough for a typical two-day city commute. For those concerned about long-term battery life, the lifetime high-voltage battery warranty with unlimited kilometers is a reassuring promise.
ride quality
The car glides over bumps without letting anything reach the cabin – just as comfortable as ever. At triple-digit motorway speeds it remains stable, steering weight adds nicely to confident cornering, and crosswinds barely disturb its composure. Braking is strong and the level of grip inspires confidence in corners. For a car in this price range, the Tiago’s ride and handling package remains one of the best reasons to choose it.
One sentence explains everything
Small cars tend to be the hardest to do well. Space is tight, budget is visible, and buyers are relentless. Nowhere to hide. However, the design of the new Tiago is as meticulous and ambitious as Tata Motors has made every car in its portfolio – irrespective of price. When asked how officials hope customers will feel when they walk into a showroom and see the new Tiago for the first time, the team had just one word to say. Wow! That’s a big ask for a small car. But after spending a day on the road, it’s easy to see why they believe it’s possible.