Full Review of the 2025 Tata Altroz: Still the Gold Standard for Safety?

When the Tata Altroz first launched, it did more than just enter the competitive premium hatchback segment; it redefined the standards for safety in its class. With a landmark 5-star Global NCAP rating, it forced both consumers and competitors to prioritize occupant protection. Fast forward to 2025, and the Altroz is back with a significant update. It’s smarter, more comfortable, and crucially, safer than ever.

But the market has evolved too. Rivals have caught up with feature lists, and buyer expectations are at an all-time high. So, the big question is: Does the 2025 Tata Altroz do enough to not only retain its title as the safety king but also to claim the throne as the best all-around premium hatchback in India? In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down every detail—from its new features and engine performance to its updated safety credentials—to find out.

A Quick Look: What’s New in the 2025 Tata Altroz?

For those short on time, this 2025 update is more than just a minor facelift. Tata Motors has focused on key areas that elevate the ownership experience significantly.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Update

Upgraded Tech and Comfort Features

The cabin experience has received the most noticeable upgrade. The centerpiece is a brand-new, larger infotainment system that makes the outgoing unit feel dated. To combat the Indian heat and enhance comfort, Tata has also added features previously seen in segments above.

• New 10.25-inch Harman Touchscreen: Higher variants now boast a larger, more responsive touchscreen with a crisper display and wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
• Ventilated Front Seats: A much-welcome feature for a premium hatchback, providing significant comfort during long drives in warm weather.
• Voice-Assisted Electric Sunroof: Adding to the premium feel, the new sunroof can be operated via voice commands.
• Wireless Charging Pad: For added convenience, a wireless charger is now integrated into the center console.

Standard Safety Gets a Major Boost

Building on its core strength, Tata has made a bold statement by democratizing high-end safety features across the entire Altroz lineup.

• 6 Airbags as Standard: In a landmark move for the segment, every single variant of the 2025 Altroz now comes equipped with six airbags.
• 5-Star Bharat NCAP Rating: The Altroz has been put through India’s own, more stringent crash testing protocol, BNCAP, and has once again emerged with a top-tier 5-star rating, reinforcing its reputation.

Design and Exterior: Does It Still Turn Heads?

Sharp Looks and Premium Stance

The Altroz has always been a handsome car, and the 2025 model wisely doesn’t mess with a successful formula. Its design, inspired by the sleek lines of a fighter jet, remains sharp and contemporary. The projector headlamps, integrated neatly with the grille, give it an aggressive face, while the piano black accents on the ORVMs, roof, and tailgate add a touch of class.

The car’s proportions are excellent, giving it a planted and confident stance that many of its rivals lack. The build quality is immediately apparent when you see it in the flesh; the panel gaps are consistent, and the car feels solid and well-put-together.

Practical Touches: 90-Degree Doors and Build Quality

A signature Tata feature that continues to be a massive practical advantage is the 90-degree opening doors. This thoughtful design element makes getting in and out of the car, especially for elderly passengers or when installing a child seat, incredibly easy. It’s a small detail that has a big impact on day-to-day usability.

As you close the door, the reassuring “thud” serves as an audible reminder of the car’s robust construction. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; it’s a direct result of the high-strength steel used in its ALFA Arc platform, which forms the very foundation of its safety.

Step Inside: A Deep Dive into the Altroz’s Cabin, Comfort, and Features

Layout, Space, and Seating Comfort

The interior of the 2025 Altroz continues with its modern, layered dashboard design and a flat-bottom steering wheel that feels great to hold. The floating island design for the infotainment screen is driver-focused, and the blue ambient lighting adds a premium touch at night.

Space has always been a strong point. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and finding a good driving position is easy thanks to ample adjustment. At the rear, the legroom is generous, and the flat floor makes it one of the better cars in its class for seating three passengers.

The Big Upgrade: The 10.25-inch Harman Infotainment System

The new 10.25-inch touchscreen, sourced from Harman, is a massive leap forward. As highlighted by experts at Team-BHP, the user interface is slick, touch response is quick, and the clarity is top-notch. The integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto declutters the cabin and works seamlessly. The sound system, also tuned by Harman, continues to offer a rich and immersive audio experience that is arguably the best in the segment.

New for 2025: Ventilated Seats and Voice-Assisted Sunroof

The addition of ventilated front seats is a game-changer for the Altroz. In a country where cars can feel like ovens after being parked in the sun, this feature provides instant relief and makes long journeys far more comfortable.

The voice-assisted sunroof adds another layer of convenience and wow factor. Being able to open or close the sunroof with a simple command like “Hey Tata, open the sunroof” feels futuristic and works surprisingly well.

Practicality and Boot Space: The iCNG Advantage

The Altroz offers a class-leading 345 litres of boot space in its standard petrol and diesel versions, which is ample for weekend luggage for a small family.

However, the real innovation lies with the iCNG variant. Tata’s groundbreaking twin-cylinder technology places two smaller 30L CNG tanks under the boot floor, freeing up a highly usable 210 litres of luggage space. [INSERT PERSONAL ANECDOTE HERE] From my own experience, this is a significant advantage. While a conventional CNG car might struggle to fit more than a couple of small bags, the Altroz iCNG can easily accommodate a suitcase and a duffel bag, making it a no-compromise choice for city dwellers who love to travel.

Engine, Performance, and Mileage: Which Altroz Powertrain is Right for You?

The Altroz’s strategy of offering four distinct engine options ensures there’s a variant for nearly every type of buyer.

The Everyday Performer: 1.2L Revotron Petrol (Manual & DCA)

The 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 88 PS and 115 Nm of torque. For daily city commuting, this engine is perfectly adequate. It’s tuned for low-end response, making it easy to drive in stop-and-go traffic.

The 5-speed manual gearbox is light, but the star of the show for urban users is the DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic) transmission. This wet-clutch unit is incredibly smooth and removes the hassle from congested city drives. However, on the open highway, the engine can feel a bit strained and requires careful planning for overtakes.

The Enthusiast’s Choice: 1.2L i-Turbo Petrol

If you find the standard petrol engine lacking, the 1.2-litre i-Turbo engine is the one to get. It produces a much healthier 110 PS and 140 Nm of torque. This turbocharged unit completely transforms the driving experience. The engine feels more energetic, and the added torque in the mid-range makes highway cruising and quick overtakes effortless. [INSERT PERSONAL ANECDOTE HERE] Having driven it extensively, the i-Turbo truly unlocks the potential of the Altroz’s brilliant chassis, making it a genuinely fun and engaging car to drive on a winding road.

The Highway Cruiser: 1.5L Revotorq Diesel

In an era where most manufacturers have abandoned small diesel engines, the Altroz’s 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel is a breath of fresh air. With 90 PS and a stout 200 Nm of torque, this engine is the undisputed choice for those who cover long distances. It’s incredibly efficient and provides a relaxed, effortless cruising experience on the highway, thanks to its strong pulling power.

The Smart Money: 1.2L iCNG with Twin-Cylinder Tech

For the cost-conscious buyer, the Altroz iCNG is a masterstroke of engineering. It delivers a claimed mileage of 26.2 km/kg, drastically reducing running costs. And as mentioned, it does this without rendering the boot useless. The car starts directly in CNG mode, and the performance is more than sufficient for city driving, with a seamless switchover to petrol when needed.

Ride and Handling: The Secret Sauce of the ALFA Arc Platform

Mastering Indian Roads: Ride Quality and Comfort

The Altroz’s biggest differentiator is its exceptional ride and handling, a direct benefit of its sophisticated ALFA Arc (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) Platform. According to Autocar India, “The Altroz’s ride quality remains a benchmark in the segment, absorbing bumps with a maturity not seen in its rivals.”

The suspension is brilliantly tuned for Indian conditions. It glides over broken patches of road and potholes with remarkable composure, keeping the occupants comfortable. There’s an underlying firmness that prevents it from feeling floaty at high speeds, striking a perfect balance.

Confident Cornering: Handling and High-Speed Stability

This same platform gives the Altroz incredible high-speed stability. On the highway, it feels planted and secure, inspiring immense confidence. The steering is well-weighted and provides good feedback, allowing you to place the car accurately through corners. It’s a car that feels safe and stable, not just in a crash test, but every moment you’re behind the wheel.

Safety First: Decoding the 5-Star Bharat NCAP Rating

Understanding the Crash Test Scores

The Altroz cemented its legacy with a 5-star rating from Global NCAP, scoring an impressive 16.13 out of 17 points for adult occupant protection. Now, it has undergone tests under the new, more comprehensive Bharat NCAP protocols and has once again passed with flying colors, securing a full 5-star rating. This proves the fundamental strength and integrity of its core structure.

Why 6 Airbags as Standard is a Game-Changer

While a strong body shell is critical, a comprehensive set of safety features is what protects occupants during a mishap. By offering 6 airbags (dual front, side, and curtain) as a standard feature across every single variant, Tata has set a new benchmark for the segment. This ensures that even buyers of the base model get the same high level of safety protection as those buying the top-end trim.

List of Active and Passive Safety Features

Beyond the airbags and robust shell, the Altroz is packed with safety tech:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Corner Stability Control (CSC)
• ISOFIX child seat mounts
• Reverse parking sensors and camera
• Height-adjustable seatbelts

2025 Tata Altroz vs The Rivals: Baleno vs i20

Altroz vs Baleno: Safety and Build vs Mileage and Service

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the Altroz’s arch-rival. The choice here is a classic head-vs-heart dilemma. The Baleno offers a supremely refined and efficient engine, slightly better-claimed mileage, and the peace of mind of Maruti’s vast service network.

However, the Altroz counters with its undeniable 5-star safety rating and vastly superior build quality. Its ride and handling dynamics also feel more mature and confidence-inspiring than the Baleno’s lighter construction.

Altroz vs i20: Ride Quality vs Premium Fit-and-Finish

The Hyundai i20 is the choice for those who prioritize a premium, feature-loaded cabin. The i20’s interior plastics feel a touch more upmarket, its feature list is extensive (including ADAS on top trims), and its design is sharp.

The Altroz, on the other hand, offers a significantly more comfortable and composed ride quality. It feels more robust and handles broken roads with far more grace. While the 2025 Altroz has closed the feature gap, the i20 still holds a slight edge in cabin plushness.

2025 Tata Altroz Price and Variants: Which One Should You Buy

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the ex-showroom prices for the 2025 Tata Altroz across all its powertrain and transmission options.

(Disclaimer: All prices are indicative, ex-showroom, India. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact your nearest Tata Motors dealership for the exact on-road price in your city.)

Our Top Pick: The Best Value-for-Money Variant

While the top-end XZ+ (S) variant is loaded with all the new bells and whistles like ventilated seats and the sunroof, we believe the Altroz XZ variant strikes the perfect balance of features and price.

It comes equipped with most of the essentials, including the touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, alloy wheels, and a comprehensive set of safety features. For those looking for the best performance, the XZ+ i-Turbo is our recommendation, as it combines the powerful engine with a rich feature list, making it a fantastic all-rounder.

Final Verdict: Is the 2025 Tata Altroz the Best Premium Hatchback in India?

After a thorough analysis, it’s clear that the 2025 Tata Altroz has successfully built upon its core strengths while addressing previous shortcomings. It remains the undisputed gold standard for safety in the premium hatchback segment, a title now reinforced by its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and standard 6 airbags.

Its ride and handling combination is still the segment’s best, offering a level of maturity that punches above its weight. The addition of features like a larger screen, ventilated seats, and a sunroof has significantly boosted its premium appeal, bringing it on par with its key rivals.

Is it the perfect car? Not quite. The base petrol engine’s refinement could still be better, and the interior fit-and-finish, while good, isn’t as polished as the Hyundai i20. However, for a buyer who prioritizes safety, build quality, and ride comfort above all else, the 2025 Tata Altroz isn’t just a great option—it’s the most compelling and responsible choice you can make in the premium hatchback space today.

FAQ’s