2025 Tata Altroz review: ready to take on the Baleno?
The 2025 Altroz gets changes on the exterior and interior to make it a more attractive package.
advertisementStarting with the front, the Altroz which for me has been the looker in the premium hatch segment now gets a new LED DRL, below which sit new twin-pod LED headlamps. The black panel connecting the headlamps has a new design, while the entirety of the front bumper is new, it houses new Nexon-esque LED fog lamps (that also serve as cornering lamps), a central air intake, and a grille below.
The 2025 Altroz's front has a new LED DRL, twin-pod LED headlamps, a new bumper and LED fog lamps.
On the sides, the profile hasn't changed, but unlike what we see with most facelifts, the new Altroz gets a new fender, and doors that have sort of let go of that strong shoulder line and adopts a smoother flow. It also gets car designers' latest fad - flush door handles for the front doors, which aren't motorised, so I am not a fan of them, but they do get an illuminated marker making them easy to find in the dark. It also sports new 16-inch alloys, that have a blacked out look, and look much better when the car is on the move. And the last change for the exterior that Tata has introduced are the new colour options - Pure Grey, Dune Glow and Ember Glow, with the Ember being the hot orange that you see here, and having seen each of these in person, I am really impressed by the way each of these provide a unique persona to the car.
On the rear, the 2025 Altroz has new LED taillamps, a full width LED strip, along with a new roof spoiler and a new lower bumper.
advertisement
From the rear, the Altroz carries its wedge shaped aesthetic forward, supplemented by new LED taillamps, and a full width LED strip, along with a new roof spoiler and a new lower bumper, that cohesively binds the entirety of the design together. If this was a design competition, the new Altroz would be winning it quite easily.
The most notable changes inside the 2025 Altroz include the new 10.25-inch infotainment panel, new steering wheel, new climate control and a new 360-degree camera.
Inside, the changes are a bit more major. The dashboard now gets a three-layer design, with three colours and textures, and each of these feel really upmarket. Taking centre stage is the Harman 10.25-inch infotainment, that is FHD, and allows the 360-degree camera feed to be HD as well, quite a plus. Below this, the climate control panel has been lifted off of other Tata models, with its black touch based operation. I am not a fan of this setup though, as operating this panel while on the go is a bit of a task.
The Altroz now has a new steering that it shares with other Tata models.
The other big upgrade is the new steering that we have seen in other Tata models, and this again adds that upmarket vibe to the car. Interestingly, the Altroz now also boasts a 10.25-inch infotainment like its elder siblings, but this is only available in the Accomplished + S trim, that can only be had with the petrol DCA configuration, and Tata only let us drive the diesel manual and the CNG, both of which are available up till Accomplished S, that does not get the aforementioned display, instead it gets a 7-inch display flanked by digital gauges, and these don't look as nice as the rest of the cabin.
The 2025 Altroz has fabric seats with better thigh support and improved bolsters.
advertisementThe older Altroz wasn't the most comfortable car when it came to the seat ergonomics, but this new one has upped its game, and by a fair margin. Now you get fabric seats that have been redesigned, it gets added thigh support and improved bolsters, and the overall level of cushioning and support is actually commendable. Now the space in the front and the rear hasn't changed compared to before, and while the driver and front passenger have access to enough shoulder and headroom, the rear feels a little bit cramped given the sloping roofline that cramps up the headroom. But the seats in the rear have also been upgraded, and feel pretty comfortable and should result in less fatigue over long distances.
The 1.5-litre diesel mill of the 2025 Altroz puts out 90bhp and 200Nm of torque.
Now the Altroz is the only car in its segment to offer three powertrains – diesel, petrol and CNG – and well I was pretty happy to spend the entire day with the diesel, and skip the CNG altogether. Interestingly, the petrol can now be had with two automatic options, as a new AMT joins the older DCA transmission, but we didn't get to test that. The 1.5-litre diesel motor makes 90bhp and 200Nm of torque, which for a car of this size, is a bit overpowered I would say. The low end torque makes for easy off the line acceleration, and reaching triple digit speeds doesn't stress the motor at all. This torque also means that in traffic, with the light clutch feel, it is not as painful to operate. Although the 5-speed stick shifter isn't the best unit, and feels a bit sticky to operate. Tata has worked on the NVH levels, and the diesel guzzler isn't very refined, you can definitely hear it if your windows are down, but close them, and the cabin stays noise free.
The 2025 Altroz's 5-speed stick shifter isn't the best unit, and feels a bit sticky to operate.
advertisementRide quality is excellent at most speeds, the Altroz rides with poise, and bad roads are something that don't bother the hatch much. This is further accentuated by the new seats that offer an added layer of softness. Dynamically, the Altroz feels sorted, it has good balance round corners, but here the steering owing to its inaccurate nature isn't very confidence inspiring. The steering also feels lackluster a higher speeds, with a fair bit of play involved. But as a whole, the Altroz is good to drive, especially in its diesel avatar. While I did spend some time with the CNG, and appreciated the difference in smoothness compared to the diesel, the power difference and overall lack of punch whether in petrol or CNG mode does make it a more sedate option, and not my preferred choice.
For an update, the 2025 Tata Altroz is a major overhaul as it carries forwards the older aesthetic while also adding new bits thatmake it the best looker in the segment.
advertisementFor an update, the 2025 Tata Altroz is a major overhaul, not only does it carry forward the older aesthetic, but the new bits, along with the changes to the panels and the lighting signatures make it the best looker in the segment. The cabin is now properly premium, and while I did feel some plastic bits to be of lower quality levels, Tata has definitely worked on overall QC, and it shows. Feature packed and stylish, the cabin along with its features make up for a really comfortable experience. Where the Altroz has an edge I feel is the multiple powertrain options – diesel-manual, petrol-AMG, petrol-DCA, and the CNG, that give customers the versatility to choose.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Lando Norris Takes Pole For F1's Belgian Grand Prix After Max Verstappen Wins Sprint
Lando Norris took pole position Saturday for Formula 1's Belgian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen won the sprint race earlier in the day. Norris set the fastest time early in the final session. His McLaren teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri couldn't quite beat it on his final run, taking second place, 0.085 of a second off Norris' pace. Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari, with Verstappen fourth. The performance delighted Norris' mother Cisca, who is Belgian, as she made a heart gesture with her hands while watching from the McLaren garage. Norris is targeting his third straight win in a Grand Prix race and is the first McLaren driver on pole in Belgium since Jenson Button in 2012. 'The car has been been flying all weekend, Oscar has been doing a good job all weekend, so we're pushing each other a lot,' Norris said. 'It's tough because you see where your strengths and weaknesses are easily and you learn from each other quickly. It's a good but tough battle that we have at the minute.' Rain is expected for Sunday, setting up the prospect of another wet-weather battle between the two McLarens after Norris won a thrilling race at his home British Grand Prix. Norris said it could be a 'Silverstone-esque' race with plenty of chaos, or tricky conditions if only part of the circuit, the longest on the F1 calendar, gets wet and other areas stay dry. Lewis Hamilton's disappointing weekend continued with 16th in qualifying after his best lap time was ruled out because he'd strayed off track. The day before, the Ferrari driver was 18th in qualifying for the sprint race following a spin. Hamilton had declared Thursday it was 'crunch time' after struggling for much of his first season with Ferrari. Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda is set to start eighth, his best qualifying result of an otherwise disappointing time since joining Red Bull after two races of the 2025 season. Verstappen overtook Piastri and drove '15 qualifying laps' to win the sprint race at the Belgian GP as Red Bull begins a new era without fired team principal Christian Horner. Verstappen surged past Piastri on the straight on the first lap. The Australian was close behind Verstappen for the rest of the 15-lap sprint race but couldn't find a way past the four-time champion. Norris, in the other McLaren, was third after retaking the place from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and catching up to Piastri. 'You're keeping faster cars behind, so you have to drive over the limit of what you think is possible,' Verstappen said. 'Tire management is out of the window, so that's what's making it really difficult. I'm just doing 15 qualifying laps to try and keep them behind on a track where tire management is important.' It was Verstappen's first race win of any sort since the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in May, and his first in a sprint since the United States Grand Prix last October. Piastri extends his lead over Norris in the standings to nine points from eight. Verstappen is third, 68 points off the lead. Leclerc held on to fourth and it was an impressive result for Haas, with Esteban Ocon fifth and Oliver Bearman seventh. Carlos Sainz, Jr. was sixth for Williams and Isack Hadjar took the final point for Racing Bulls in eighth.
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Tata Harrier.ev Waiting Period Extends Over 6 Months; Check Details
Tata Motors recently launched in the Indian market. Based on the recent leaked document, the electric vehicle seems to be getting significant attention from consumers, with long waiting periods trailing the vehicle. Specifically, the country's first indigenous electric SUV with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system now has a waiting period of up to 30 weeks (over 6 months), depending on the variant. The variants with the longest waiting times are the Adventure 65 and Adventure 65 ACFC, both of which have an estimated waiting duration of 28 to 30 weeks, over 7 months. The waiting period for the Adventure S 65 and Adventure S 65 ACFC is between 18 to 21 weeks, approximately 5 months. The same waiting duration of 18 to 21 weeks also applies to the Fearless+ 65, Fearless+ 65 ACFC, Fearless+ 75, and Fearless+ 75 ACFC. Meanwhile, the top-tier Empowered variants of the have a relatively shorter waiting period. This includes the AWD variants, which have a waiting period ranging from 12 to 15 weeks, or about 3.5 months. The variants in this category consist of Empowered 75 ACFC, Empowered ST 75 ACFC, Empowered AWD 75 ACFC, Empowered AWD ST 75 FC, Empowered 75, Empowered ST 75, Empowered AWD 75, and Empowered AWD ST 75. The waiting period may differ based on the location and dealership. As of now, Tata is priced starting at Rs 21.49 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes up to Rs 30.23 lakh (ex-showroom) for the highest-priced variant. It provides two battery capacity options: 65 kWh and 75 kWh. In its dual-motor setup, the front motor generates 155.8 hp while the rear motor outputs 234.7 hp. For its off-road performance, the is equipped with six driving modes: Sand, Snow, Rock, Mud/Ruts, Normal, and Custom. These modes adjust both the power distribution and suspension settings to accommodate various types of terrain.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
India-UK FTA clears road for British cars, but with speed bumps ahead
The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom marks a significant breakthrough in bilateral economic ties. While the deal eliminates duties on most Indian exports to the UK, the auto sector, a politically sensitive area for both sides, has been liberalised through a cautious, quota-based tariff reduction scheme spread over two decades. The agreement reduces or eliminates tariffs on 90–99 per cent of goods traded between the two countries. For UK automakers, however, market access to India will be limited by quantity caps and phased tariff cuts, especially on petrol, diesel and electric vehicles. The deal is not yet in force and awaits ratification. Why are automobiles the most protected sector in the FTA? Automobiles have been among the toughest issues to resolve in the India-UK FTA negotiations. At present, India imposes import tariffs above 100 per cent on fully built foreign cars. These tariffs provide high barriers to entry, protecting domestic manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, and Tata Motors in a highly price-sensitive market. UK officials and auto manufacturers pushed for steep tariff cuts to boost exports, but Indian negotiators sought long phase-in periods and strict import caps. A sudden influx of foreign vehicles, they argued, could hurt local industry and undermine domestic EV manufacturing goals. How will British petrol, diesel, and EVs enter the Indian market? Under the FTA, tariffs on UK petrol and diesel vehicles will be reduced to 10 per cent by 2031, but only for vehicles imported under a defined quota. For the highest-capacity engine cars, the first-year in-quota duty drops to 30 per cent, falling to 10 per cent by year five. Out-of-quota tariffs will decline more slowly, reaching 50 per cent by year ten. Luxury carmakers like Bentley and Jaguar Land Rover (owned by Tata Motors) will face import duties as high as 30 per cent initially. Lower-end vehicles will be subject to an even steeper 50 per cent duty before tapering to 10 per cent in year five. The number of vehicles qualifying for reduced tariffs is capped. The quota begins at 20,000 vehicles annually, expands to 37,000 by 2031, and then contracts to 15,000 units by 2046. Electric and hybrid vehicles follow a separate path. Only those priced above £40,000 qualify for tariff relief, starting at 4,400 units in 2031 and rising to 22,000 by 2040. EVs below this threshold remain excluded, in a bid to safeguard India's domestic clean mobility ecosystem. How are British automakers reacting to the agreement? Despite gaining a structured entry into the Indian market, UK automakers have responded with tempered optimism. Industry leaders welcomed the long-term tariff reductions but criticised the slow and complex implementation, according to the Financial Times. Manufacturers must wait until 2031 for the lowest tariff rate, with quotas declining after that. The phased approach, industry executives said, limits price competitiveness in the Indian market during the critical early years of the deal. Jaguar Land Rover may benefit in the longer term, but short-term opportunities are minimal. The British auto industry had lobbied for faster access and broader inclusion of mid-segment and electric models. How has India protected its domestic auto industry? India has maintained robust safeguards for its auto sector — arguably the most protected chapter of the FTA. While the UK gains limited long-term access, India continues to shield its mass-market segment through tariff-linked quotas and price thresholds. There is no major liberalisation for small or affordable EVs — a segment where Indian automakers are investing heavily. These measures are designed to support the domestic industry's global aspirations. However, Indian auto component manufacturers are expected to benefit from zero-duty access to the UK. Companies like Bharat Forge, Motherson Sumi, and Sundaram Clayton could see export gains, with Indian engineering goods likely to integrate deeper into British supply chains. When will the India-UK FTA come into effect? The FTA will take effect once it is ratified by both parliaments — likely in 2026. From there, a phased implementation plan will govern the roll-out of tariff cuts. The auto sector will follow a detailed timeline, including annual reviews, price-linked import quotas, and a bilateral safeguard mechanism designed to address any future trade disruptions.
