Despite having driven snarling V8 sports cars, towering SUVs, electric upstarts, and basically anything with wheels, there’s something charming about a well-sorted hatchback. In 2025, the roads are dominated by beefed-up compact SUVs, but as I ease the Altroz into Bengaluru’s morning traffic, I’m reminded why the premium hatchback still has a place in our hearts (and garages). As Tata’s design head Martin Uhlarik himself put it, "The hatchback is an interesting typology. It's been around for decades... there's always going to be a market for this."
In today’s SUV-centric market, hatchbacks must offer something special to maintain their appeal. And the Altroz’s strengths—compact dimensions for city driving, excellent ride comfort, and premium interiors—still hold significant allure. Compared to compact SUVs, the Altroz offers superior agility in tight city spaces, lower running costs, and a less imposing size for everyday usability. It also feels distinctly more upscale, especially with this facelift, making it particularly attractive to urban buyers seeking sophistication without stretching their budgets into SUV territory.
Design and Style: Flush, Futuristic, and Fashionable
Tata Motors’ design team, led by Uhlarik, has given the Altroz a bold yet flush aesthetic makeover, going beyond the usual cosmetic updates. "It is a facelift, but it's kind of a pretty comprehensive facelift. Usually more than the usual standard content," explains Uhlarik.
The front-end features redesigned LED headlamps and sleek Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). The removal of chrome elements, replaced by gloss-black finishes and subtle textural contrasts, creates a distinctly premium aesthetic. Ulharik mentions, "We deleted the chrome on the grille... I feel that it looks even more high-tech now, especially the upper face."
On the side, you’ll notice segment-first flush-sitting door handles on the front doors. "We call the design kind of flush tech. It's about improving aerodynamics, improving efficiency, and making the car a little bit more athletic," Ulharik highlights. Integrating these illuminated flush handles meant re-engineering the door panels, but it pays off by giving the Altroz a premium feel (and even a slight aerodynamic benefit). In contrast, the rear doors retain their hidden C-pillar handles, a playful signature carried over from the original design. The car’s familiar sporty silhouette remains, but is enhanced by a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels with a dual-tone, aero-efficient design.
The taillights are connected by an LED bar, creating an “infinity” effect that visually widens the car. A revised rear bumper with a black insert and relocated reverse lamp ensures a distinctive look from behind. The Altroz’s refresh is subtle yet impactful, looking at home parked outside a swanky café or cruising Marine Drive at dusk in 2025.
Interior and Comfort: Tech Meets Practicality
Climb inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin that’s been noticeably upgraded for a more premium feel. Ulharik emphasises this upscale approach, "It was always a premium hatch, but how can we make it even more aspirational, more premium?" The dashboard, for instance, has been redesigned with clean lines and soft-touch materials, dressed in a new dual-tone theme (black and light beige) that makes the interior feel more premium. The centerpiece of this overhaul is the dual HD screen setup – a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an equally impressive 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster borrowed from the Nexon, which offers sharp graphics, turn-by-turn navigation, and a blind-view camera feed. The infotainment (running on a Harman system) is slick and feature-rich, supporting wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and pumping music through an 8-speaker setup that’s among the best in this segment.
Rear passengers get a folding armrest, AC vents, and a USB-C port. More importantly, the seats have been re-engineered for better long-distance comfort. "We did a lot of ergonomic studies... developing a seat that obviously looks comfortable and actually serves the purpose," says Ulharik. The new seats feature a uniquely contoured cushion that protrudes under the thighs to better support your legs.
New features include a touch-based panel with toggle switches for fan speed and temperature. There’s ambient mood lighting along the footwells and console (you can choose the color to suit your vibe), and a voice-assisted electric sunroof can now let in the sky at your command – a feature practically mandatory in 2025’s feature checklist. The Altroz also offers conveniences like a wireless phone charger (with a cooling pad to prevent your phone from overheating) and Tata’s latest iRA connected-car suite with live vehicle diagnostics and remote functions.
It’s no wonder the Altroz has been a poster child for safety in this segment, being the first hatchback in India to earn a 5-star Global NCAP crash rating. The new model builds on that with 6 airbags standard, along with ESC, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX mounts, and a 360-degree surround camera that makes parking in tight spots a breeze.
The iCNG variant I tested features two smaller tanks under the boot floor, freeing up 210 litres of usable space—smart packaging that balances practicality with fuel efficiency. You do compromise some space (the regular Altroz boasts 345 L boot volume), but the trade-off seems well worth it for the fuel savings and convenience.
Performance and Driving Experience: Up the Hill, Around the Bend
On paper, the Altroz’ powertrains haven’t radically changed – but the driving experience has its share of highlights. My test cars for the day included the 1.2L petrol iCNG manual, and the 1.5-litre diesel. The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine makes 88hp and 115Nm on petrol, and about 73.5hp and 103Nm when running on CNG. In everyday city driving, the power is perfectly adequate – the Altroz pulls smoothly from traffic lights and the light clutch and 5-speed gearbox make stop-go traffic relatively painless. The engine is tuned for linear, hassle-free power delivery rather than outright punch. However, enthusiasts might find it lacking the top-end zest.
Out on the highway, the Altroz keeps up with fast-moving traffic, but you do need to plan overtakes, especially in CNG mode. The uphill climb through Nandi hills tested it more – I had to shift down to first gear on sharp hairpins as the engine labored to churn out those 73 horses. It’s not incapable by any means, but the progress is slow and steady rather than quick and spirited. Still, switching to petrol instantly boosts performance, thanks to the single ECU setup. Dual-fuel flexibility proves handy for hilly terrain or full loads. For more spirited driving, Tata offers a 1.2L turbo-petrol and a unique-in-class 1.5L diesel, which are better suited to enthusiastic driving. The diesel in particular – 90hp and 200Nm – is unique in this class and makes the Altroz a better long-distance machine.
Where the Altroz truly shines is in ride and handling. Tata has subtly stiffened the rear (~15%) to manage the CNG kit’s weight. The car feels composed, even over rough roads, and stays stable at highway speeds. It corners with enthusiasm, and the steering offers rare feedback for this segment. In fact, the chassis feels like it could handle much more power; around the twisties I couldn’t help but think if only the engine had the performance to match this chassis’ superb dynamics. While not a hot hatch, the Altroz’s dynamics are fun and confident. Braking is equally competent, with all-wheel disc brakes on top variants delivering strong, linear stopping power. It’s a city car that doesn’t mind stretching its legs.
Verdict: The Altroz Reimagined – Premium Feel, Personal Hatch
It’s impossible to review a car like the Altroz without addressing the elephant in the room – or rather, the elephants on the road – compact SUVs. Over the past few years, buyers have been flocking to high-riding crossovers and SUVs, even in the price bracket traditionally occupied by premium hatchbacks. Tata’s own data shows that the segment has felt the pressure, with Altroz sales easing after the initial burst, partly due to “the sustained consumer shift towards SUVs”.
So, where does that leave a hatch like the Altroz? It’s typically lighter and more fuel-efficient, it handles better around corners, and it’s easier to maneuver and park in cramped urban environs. Compared to its direct hatchback rivals, the Altroz holds its ground firmly. Maruti’s Baleno/Glanza might edge ahead in sheer sales and fuel efficiency, but it can’t match the Altroz’s tank-like build or ride comfort. Hyundai’s i20 offers a turbo punch and a long feature list, yet comes at a higher price and hasn’t been tested to the same safety standards. The Altroz is the only one in this class to give you the choice of a diesel, a factory CNG, and a DCA automatic – it’s about catering to every kind of buyer. And yes, a compact SUV might give you higher seating, but the Altroz fights back with accessible premiumness – the feeling of driving something that looks and feels a class above, without stretching your budget into SUV territory.
Ulharik summarized it aptly: "Why cannot this be almost a luxury vehicle image, or a high-tech image, but in a relatively competitively segmented vehicle?" After spending a weekend with the new Altroz, I find myself genuinely impressed by how Tata Motors has gone beyond the typical nip-and-tuck; it feels like a comprehensive upgrade that touches almost every aspect of the car, without losing the core values that made the Altroz successful initially: a roomy cabin, solid build, comfortable ride, and top-notch safety.
Sure, it’s not perfect – the naturally aspirated petrol (especially in CNG guise) could use a caffeine shot on those steep climbs, and those seeking sheer performance might still lean toward turbo options or rival setups. Also, while Tata has loaded this car with features, a couple of nice-to-haves like ventilated seats or adaptive cruise aren’t on the list (the lack of ADAS is understandable at this price, though). But these don’t feel like deal-breakers when you look at the whole package. The Altroz facelift, in its 2025 avatar, makes a strong statement: it’s a hatchback that isn’t shy about being one. It’s confident that hatchbacks can be cool, desirable, and relevant even as SUVs hog the limelight. In today’s world, that might be exactly what keeps the humble hatchback alive and kicking – and frankly, I’m here for it.
