Tata Tiago Facelift Petrol and iCNG Review: Massive Updates, Brilliant Value

The hatchback segment has lost its sparkle of late, primarily due to the meteoric rise of pseudo SUVs. But, Tata Motors is taking things in its own hands and they want to make the hatchback desirable again. One look at this Tata Tiago facelift, and you know that the company is on to something.

Despite getting massive updates, the Tiago facelift starts at ₹4,69,000 for the petrol and ₹5,79,000 for the CNG. So has Tata cracked the code?

Tata Tiago Facelift Interior

Well, a massive part of the new Tiago’s appeal is the brand new interior. It feels like a generational leap. The dashboard, door panels, and even the seats are all-new. The design is quite premium for a small hatchback, featuring a layered dashboard, a 10.2-inch infotainment display, and a fully digital instrument cluster. Thankfully, Tata kept physical controls for the AC, which is a neat touch, and they’ve also added an armrest.

The equipment list is exhaustive. The top-end variant also gets a 360 degree camera with blind spot view,  wireless charger, dual fast charging USB-C ports, connected car tech, and rain sensing wipers. Even the base variant gets 6 airbags, soft touch dashboard fabric and digitised instrument cluster.

The rear seat space is quite good for a car in this segment. I have decent knee room and the headroom is also fine, even though I am 5 feet 10 inches tall. If you are over 6 feet, you might find the headroom a bit limiting. The car isn't really wide enough, it is really only comfortable for two adults at the back; trying to fit a third passenger may feel a bit tight. The highlight of the rear seat experience is the addition of rear AC vents. Additionally, the under-thigh support is pretty decent and the seats are reasonably comfortable as well.

But, the interior quality is not very consistent. While the soft touch fabric on the dashboard looks great, other bits like the wiper stalks and construction of the armrest console leave a lot to be desired. The automatic gear selector gets illumination but you won’t notice it in bright sunlight… I wish it were brighter.

Tata Tiago Facelift Design

On the outside, this isn’t your regular lazy facelift. The changes are big: the front and the rear are now flatter and sharper, making the car look wider. The connected-style tail lamps in particular look quite premium. Tata has also added cladding on the wheel arches. While the overall silhouette remains familiar, the changes on the Tiago facelift are extensive enough to grab eyeballs.

Tata Tiago Facelift: Petrol Manual Impressions

The petrol manual features a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine that generates approximately 85 bhp. While 3 cylinder engines are often associated with buzziness and vibrations, this engine isn't particularly loud; however, vibrations do seep into the cabin, especially at idle.

DISPLACEMENT: 1,199 cc
POWER: 85 bhp @ 6000 rpm
TORQUE: 113 Nm @ 3300 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-SPEED MANUAL

The highlight of this manual transmission is the clutch and gear shifts, which are incredibly light and easy to use in traffic. Although the clutch travel could have been shorter, its lightness more than makes up for it. As for performance, it is quite good by 3-cylinder standards.

The mid-range is particularly impressive; it picks up fairly cleanly even in higher gears at lower speeds. While the engine becomes more audible and the power fades quickly when revved high, it remains a capable city car. You can perform quick overtakes, though the engine will feel strained at higher RPMs.

Tata Tiago Facelift: CNG AMT Impressions

Switching to the Tiago CNG with the AMT now. The best addition to this transmission is the inclusion of paddle shifters, which come standard on both the petrol only and the CNG variants. By nature, this gearbox is a bit slow, especially with downshifts when you need a sudden burst of power, but the paddle shifters are quick to react and help bridge that gap.

DISPLACEMENT: 1,199 cc
POWER: 85 bhp (PETROL)/74.5 bhp (CNG) @ 6000 rpm
TORQUE: 113 Nm @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-SPEED AMT

What really intrigues me is how Tata has implemented the shift between petrol and CNG. You can switch on the fly using a single button. Tata uses a single ECU for both fuel types, unlike most other CNG cars that use separate units. This allows the engine to switch quickly with almost no perceptible difference in feel. However, things change when you’re driving uphill. I constantly found the Tiago struggle going uphill in CNG mode, and I had to switch to petrol for better performance.

Tata Tiago Facelift: Ride & Handling

Tata has revised the suspension on the facelifted Tiago, claiming it to be more comfortable. While I can't speak for the pre facelift model, the suspension on this new car is likely the best I’ve seen on a sub-₹10 lakh vehicle. It is incredibly absorbent and filters out road impurities brilliantly. Even when carrying speed over speed breakers, it cuts through the jerks and stays composed. The ride quality is easily one of the highlights of this update.

In terms of handling, the Tiago is a confident performer. It’s not necessarily sporty, but it never feels nervous or unsettled in corners. Having driven the Tiago EV recently, I found that model felt a bit more planted, likely due to the battery placement, but this petrol version feels quite agile too.

Tata Tiago Facelift: Safety

And finally, since it’s Tata, safety isn’t overlooked either. You now get 6 standard airbags and a stronger body shell on all variants. Higher variants now also get ESP with traction control and hill-hold control as well. But, Tata has not yet revealed any crash test rating for the new Tiago yet.

Verdict

So, is the humble little hatchback desirable again? Based on the new Tiago facelift, the answer is a resounding yes. This car offers brilliant value for money. The top of the line petrol manual costs ₹7,29,000, and you get a lot of car for that price: tons of features, usable performance, decent space, and good looks. It isn't perfect, the interior quality can be inconsistent and refinement levels could be improved, but for this price point, Tata has definitely done the right thing with the Tiago.