Mr Congeniality

Tata has given its premium hatchback a makeover both on the cosmetic front and in terms of features, but continues with the same mechanical bits. How does it fare? We find out

- Anagh Bhaskar

Tata Motors has been a dominant force in the market for the past few years, but the homegrown automakers' lead has been limited to compact and subcompact SUVs, where it enjoys an indomitable rule. Tata's smaller cars though, including the Tiago, Tigor and the Altroz haven't replicated success like their stablemates, and the last has been given an upgrade for the 2025 model year, with an overhaul to the exterior and the interior, with a focal point on a making it a more attractive package.

Starting 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. On the sides, the profile hasn't changed, but unlike what we see with most facelifts, the Altroz gets a new fender and doors that have let go of that strong shoulder line and adopts a smoother, flatter 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. Tata has also introduced 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.

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 reprofiled bumper, that cohesively binds the entirety of the design together. If this was a design competition, the new Tata Altroz would be taking home all the trophies.