Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta: Hatchback or Compact SUV? Which One's For You?

When choosing a new car, customers often need clarification on two categories - a hatchback like the Tata Tiago or a compact SUV like the Hyundai Creta. Both offer distinct advantages but appeal to different priorities and lifestyles. The Tata Tiago is an urban hatchback designed primarily for city commutes. At the same time, the Hyundai Creta is a feature-packed compact SUV built for both urban duties and occasional highway trips. Let us examine their key traits in detail across various aspects.

Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta: Exterior Design and Dimensions

The Tata Tiago sports a dynamic look with its wide front grille, projector headlamps, and 14-inch alloy wheels, giving it a bold stance. But it remains a compact hatchback with a 3,765mm length, 1,677mm width, 1,535mm height and a 2,400mm wheelbase. It allows easy manoeuvrability in congested city conditions courtesy of a short 4.9m turning radius. 

However, the Hyundai Creta measures 4,300mm in length, 1,790mm in width and 1,635mm in height with a longer 2,610mm wheelbase. Elements like the butch front grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and front & rear skid plates give it a signature SUV design and road presence.

Consequently, four tall passengers can sit easily inside the Creta thanks to its wider cabin and extended wheelbase, unlike the Tiago, which has space constraints. Due to its footprint, the Creta also enjoys better high-speed stability and composure to change lanes confidently at triple-digit speeds. 

However, the Tiago's sub-4 meter length makes parking inside tight urban garages easier. Overall, while the Tiago's compact dimensions favour congested cities, the Creta's size leads to superior practicality and stability during highway cruising.

Read More:

• Tata Tiago Dimensions

• Hyundai Creta Dimensions

Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta: Interior

The Tiago attempts to look upmarket with its dual-tone black interior theme lifted by premium touches like a flat-bottom steering wheel, piano black accents on the dashboard and a Harman infotainment system. However, space is at a premium inside the hatchback's cramped confines, with rear seat room and boot capacity limited to 242 litres due to its compact form.

In comparison, the Creta features a more inviting dual-tone black and beige cabin equipped with perforated leather seats, a sizeable 10.25-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, a front air purifier and a full-length panoramic sunroof. Its 433-litre boot can be enlarged further to expand flexibility as the rear seats fold in a 60:40 split ratio to accommodate extra luggage of all shapes and sizes easily. Overall, there is no doubt the Creta offers superior comfort, luxury and practicality compared to the relatively spartan Tiago interior.

Spacious

Specifically regarding seating space, the Creta's long 2610 mm wheelbase directly translates into generous rear legroom where three adults can comfortably sit one after the other without their knees brushing against the front seat backs. Even tall passengers enjoy decent headroom at the rear, unlike the Tiago, where headspace is very crampy and suited only to children. 

Coming to ingress and egress, the Creta's doors open wide at a 70-degree angle, allowing easy and convenient entry and exit for aged passengers. However, getting in and out of the Tiago's compact door aperture requires more effort and twisting of the body.

Comfort and Convenience

When it comes to entertainment, the Creta's high-definition 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, BlueLink connected features, and navigation easily trounces the Tiago's 8-speaker setup in terms of both display size and interface features. You can expect good sound quality with the concert-like Bose speakers. 

Ergonomics is another area where the Creta pampers occupants better. Leather-wrapped gear knob, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging pad, touchscreen automatic climate control tilting towards both rows and 8-way powered driver seat adjustment allow finding the perfect driving position quickly. These features can greatly enhance comfort, convenience, and the luxury quotient over multi-hour drives. Sadly, the Tiago lacks any such premium creature comfort or convenience functions.

Lastly, the Creta offers over twice the cargo carrying capacity of the Tiago, courtesy of its more profound and broader boot design. The 60:40 split folding rear seats allow for carrying bikes, bulky luggage items, and pets, and they are more convenient. In contrast, the Tiago's modest boot can barely hold a few medium suitcases and some soft bags for a short vacation.

Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta: Engine, Power and Efficiency

Regarding engines, the Tiago draws power from an 86bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox options. It returns an ARAI-certified mileage of 19-20 kmpl based on transmission choice. The same engine is also available in a less powerful 73 bhp CNG tune, with an efficiency of 28.06km per kg of CNG.

In comparison, the Creta offers more powerful and efficient engine options - a 116hpb 1.5-litre diesel engine delivers 25.4kmpl mileage as per ARAI, while the 160bhp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor returns 16.8kmpl. Both engines have 6-speed manual and automatic transmission choices. The Creta's performance feels effortless and peppy for urban stop-go traffic or sustained highway cruising.

While Hyundai provides manual and automatic transmission options for either fuel type per customer preference, the Tiago petrol-CNG can be used only with a 5-speed manual. 

Also Read:

• Tata Tiago All Specifications

• Hyundai Creta All Specifications

Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta: Safety Ratings and Equipment

Regarding safety, the Tiago scored an impressive 4 stars for adult and child protection in Global NCAP tests. The safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors, a driver and co-driver seat belt reminder, and a speed alert system. However, more premium safety features like hill hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and cornering stability control still need to be included even in the range-topping variants.

In comparison, the Creta scored a full 5 stars in the ASEAN NCAP crash test ratings. Its comprehensive safety arsenal includes 6 airbags (dual front side and curtain), ABS with EBD, ESC (electronic stability control), HAC (hill-start assist control), VSM (vehicle stability management), and all-disc brakes. Additionally, you get some best-in-class safety features like a driving rear view monitor, front parking sensors with impact warning, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Regarding body structure and build quality, the Creta utilises 66.5% high-strength & advanced high-strength steel compared to Tiago's nearly 20% usage. This imparts higher structural rigidity and improves cabin integrity. The Tiago's Global NCAP score does not represent structural stability beyond the encapsulated area.

While dual airbags and ABS are standard across both models, the Creta's inclusion of side airbags provides additional protection during side collisions. The curtain airbag reduces the probability of heads striking B-pillar edges. Tech like Electronic Stability Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, etc., further enhance collision avoidance, which the Tiago lacks.

Conclusion

The Tata Tiago makes more sense as a practical and efficient urban hatchback geared towards single-car buyers or small families. Its compact size makes it a breeze to drive in congested city conditions, and its affordable price tag matches its positioning. On the other hand, the Hyundai Creta offers greater versatility for family usage. The Creta's spacious and feature-loaded cabin can comfortably accommodate 4-5 occupants over short and long journeys. Therefore, analyse your priorities between these two models before signing the cheque!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions and their answers related to Tata Tiago vs Hyundai Creta

Is Creta resale value good?

The best-selling SUV in the Indian market is the Hyundai Creta. It also has a comparable presence in the secondhand car market. In the used automobile market, the three-year-old Hyundai Creta may fetch 85% of its initial price.

Is Creta good for middle-class families?

All things considered, this vehicle is an excellent choice for families. Its maintenance expenses are affordable and within the reach of middle-class families. As long as you drive it carefully, its mileage is excellent.

Is Tata Tiago fully automatic?

The Tata Tiago XZA is offered in three colours—Daytona Grey, Flame Red, and Opal White—and has an automatic (AMT) transmission.

Is Tata Tiago safe or not?

The Tiago maintains its position as the best option for customers prioritising safety because of its reasonable pricing and robust safety package. With a score of 12.52 out of a possible 17, the Tata Tiago has obtained a 4-star Global NCAP certification for adult occupant protection.

Does Tiago have a sunroof?

The Tata Tiago doesn’t have a sunroof feature.

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