Tata Altroz iCNG Review: Smooth Operator

The Tata Altroz needs no introduction. It is one of the best-looking cars in this segment and has a bold exterior, a spacious interior, and class-leading safety features. Not just that it is the only car in the segment to offer a petrol, a diesel, and a turbo variant, and now, it also has another sibling. Meet the Tata Altroz iCNG, the fourth variant that the company is offering with the Altroz making it a complete package for anyone who's looking for a premium hatchback car. But does it make sense to buy a CNG car in this market? Well, that's exactly why I'm here to tell you everything about owning a CNG car.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Exterior

It’s been more than 3 years since Tata launched the Altroz, and there’s no denying that the car has aged well. The styling stands out, and unlike other CNG cars that don’t look premium enough, that is not the case with the Altroz CNG.

Based on the XZ and XZ+ trims, the CNG version carries the same set of designs along with all the goodies, such as the signature humanity line on the front grille, projector headlamps, LED DRLs, and even the 16-inch alloy wheels. The only differentiation here that you can make is the iCNG badge at the rear, on the boot lid, and, of course, the CNG sticker on the windscreen.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Tech & Interior

If you compare it with other CNG cars in this segment, then the Altroz clearly has an upper hand here with a nicer cabin. Being a CNG, Tata has ensured to retain the premium materials from the standard version, however, the fit and finish could have been better. Not a dealbreaker, though!

The 7-inch Harman touchscreen is carried forward and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, it comes wired and not wireless, but you do get a wireless charger, so that’s a plus point. Then there’s also an air purifier and a voice-activated sunroof, but it misses out on cruise control. Loads of storage space and a large glovebox remain its USP.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Boot Space

The biggest issue with any CNG car is the lack of boot space but that Tata has resolved to a certain extent with the Altroz iCNG, so with the twin-cylinder setup you get a decent amount of boot space so this one gets a 210-litre boot space that is down from 345-litre boot space that you get with the standard version the petrol and diesel versions of the car.

Having said that, you can still manage up to a large suitcase in the boot or two cabin-size suitcases at the back, along with a few other bags. You still don't get a large amount of boot space, so that is a compromise that you will have to face with the Altroz iCNG. The two cylinders have a total capacity of 60-litre and can give you a CNG-only realistic range of up to 180–200 km.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Engine & Transmission

The Tata Altroz iCNG continues to employ the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder Revotron engine that develops 72 bhp @6,000 rpm and 103 Nm @3,300 rpm, coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. This is a downgrade from the 87 bhp and 115 Nm from the standard petrol version. Crank it, and the car starts up directly in CNG mode, but do remember that it’s going to be loud, a caveat with CNG engines.

Now the Altroz was never about performance, it was never about spirited driving, and that’s why you have the turbo version of the car. But this one is quite laid back, the power delivery is linear but there is a lot of strain on the engine when you try to accelerate it if you even want to overtake, it takes a bit of time and especially on steep inclines, that engine is not going to be your best friend.

You will have to do continuous downshifts to even get any response out of it, and that gearbox just doesn't work for me. I mean, this combination is just too weird; it's too strange, and that's mainly because the CNG version is not about performance; it is about comfort; it is about efficiency. However, at 26.2 km/kg, the Altroz falls short of the returns claimed on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG, and even the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, at 30.61 km/kg and 28 km/kg, respectively.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Ride & Handling

Handling was always the strongest suit of the Altroz and with this version as well, that continues to be the hero. Now there is added weight on the CNG version, mainly because of the CNG kit that has been added so there is about 150 to 200 kg of added extra weight that you get on the car.

So to supplement that, what Tata engineers have done is that they have made the suspension firmer, especially at the rear, but that does not mean that your ride quality gets hampered because it’s still as comfortable as it is enjoyable, and that added weight only helps you around the corners because it stays planted.

Even on the highways, if you are doing triple-digit speeds, the car always remains planted but for me, the Achilles heel is the lower performance because that just takes away the fun part of driving an Altroz.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Prices & Variants

Tata is offering the Altroz iCNG in three variants: XZ, XZ+ S, and XZ+ OS, while both the Baleno and the Grand i10 Nios are available in two trims. Having said that, the Altroz CNG comes at a slightly higher cost compared to its rivals.

Tata Altroz iCNG: Verdict

The Tata Altroz iCNG presents a compelling proposition for those seeking a hatchback with lower running costs without compromising on safety and comfort. The design changes are minimal, and the interior remains largely unchanged, providing a neat transition from the petrol or even the diesel options. While the initial cost may be slightly higher, the long-term savings on fuel expenses make it a viable option.

Photography By: Apoorv Choudhary