The Aura features a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine, where in the standard petrol form, this setup delivers 82 hp at 6,000 rpm along with 113.8 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Options include a smooth 5-speed manual gearbox or an easy-to-use 5-speed AMT for effortless city driving.

For the bi-fuel CNG version, the same 1,197cc engine gets tuned specifically for CNG use, resulting in 68 hp at 6,000 rpm and 95.2 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This variant sticks to a 5-speed manual transmission only.

The Aura petrol variants, powered by the 1.2-litre Kappa engine, achieve an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 20.5 kmpl for the manual transmission and 20.3 kmpl for the AMT automatic transmission. The bi-fuel CNG variant, using the same 1,197cc engine tuned for CNG, delivers an ARAI-certified figure of 28 km/kg in CNG mode (with petrol as secondary fuel), though some sources list 22 km/kg for specific configurations.

The petrol variant carries a 37-litre fuel tank whereas the bi-fuel CNG variant retains that same 37-litre petrol tank and adds a 65-litre (water equivalent) CNG cylinder, allowing the driver to switch between fuels as needed.

The Aura's cabin is functional and reasonably well-equipped for its class, keeping it highly competitive among the best sedans. Ahead of the driver, the instrument cluster includes a 3.5-inch multi-information display covering trip data, fuel consumption readings, and a service reminder. On the technology front, upper variants get an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition, while Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and front-and-rear speakers are available on the top variant upward. Just below the infotainment, climate control steps up to a fully automatic unit on top variants – a nod to the premium climate features seen in vehicles with built-in air purifiers, with rear AC vents present across most of the range.

Adding to the cabin's usability, convenience features include tilt-adjustable steering, keyless entry, driver seat height adjustment, and a rear centre armrest with cupholder.

Alongside these amenities, storage is handled through front and rear door map pockets, with a front passenger seat-back pocket appearing on upper variants.

At 3,995mm long, 1,680mm wide, and 1,520mm tall, the Aura occupies a compact but properly proportioned notchback silhouette. From this foundation, moving up the range adds projector headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, a rear wing spoiler, and a shark fin antenna in place of the micro-type roof antenna on lower variants.

Along the sides, wheel sizes step up from 14-inch steel on the base variant to 15-inch dual-tone steel wheels on mid variants, with 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels reserved for top variants. Rounding out the profile, B-pillar blackout, body-coloured door mirrors, chrome outside door handles, turn indicators integrated into the door mirrors, and a rear chrome garnish are among the variant-level differentiators.

Finally, at the rear, the Z-shaped LED taillamps are the most distinctive design element and are fitted across all variants.

Aura’s most notable safety credential, making it a strong contender among the safest cars currently, is its six airbag count – driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags are standard across every variant without exception. Alongside this baseline, ABS with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution, which balances braking force between wheels) and seat belt pretensioners with load limiters are also fitted throughout the range, helping position it as one of the safest cars in India to buy. Rounding out these universal inclusions, rear parking sensors are standard on all variants as well.

Beyond this standard equipment, additional safety features become dependent on the chosen trim, which is a crucial detail to monitor when understanding NCAP and its variants. Electronic stability control (ESC) and hill start assist (HAC) are available on top variants but absent on base variants, while a rear camera with static guidelines is similarly offered on upper models.

Further down the feature list, a tyre pressure monitoring system becomes standard from variants just above the base model, leaving ISOFIX child seat anchors restricted entirely to the top variant.

Aura competes with its close rivals in its segment, namely Maruti Suzuki’s Dzire and Honda’s latest generation Amaze.

Dzire brings a 5-star GNCAP safety rating, a 9-inch touchscreen, a first-in-segment sunroof, and an ARAI-rated 25.71 km/l on the AMT, all areas where it leads the Aura. Conversely, the Aura counters with a longer wheelbase and a more established CNG network pedigree.

Also, Amaze brings segment-leading Level 2 ADAS features and a smoother CVT automatic that the Aura can't match. Its 1.2-litre engine produces 89 hp, slightly ahead of the Aura's 82 hp, though it trails on fuel efficiency in petrol form.