The old BS6 Phase 1 series engines in the Altroz were notorious for their vibration, ride quality, and overall cabin fit and finish. I drove one for over 1,100 km and found it difficult to recommend, despite its five‑star GNCAP rating—Tata has supposedly fixed most of these issues.

The Altroz XM+ that I borrowed was manufactured in 2024 and delivered in June. The owner (Sohail), our head of the data team, found it to be the best value‑for‑money variant. By the way, he lives near Jama Masjid and commutes to Gurgaon five days a week.

The Altroz XM+ we tested is powered by a 1.2‑liter, three‑cylinder petrol engine that produces about 88 PS and 115 Nm—an increase of over 2 PS and 2 Nm compared to the previous model.

The previous engine in the Altroz was a complete letdown that offered no driving pleasure and suffered from poor efficiency when the AC was on. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Tata has ironed out about 70 percent of the three‑cylinder vibrations, which were most noticeable at startup, during upshifts, and at idle.

The power still feels a bit lethargic, but the tuning of the gearbox and engine is much improved. Efficiency‑wise, I achieved about 12 km/l in the city and 17 km/l on highways near my Udyog Vihar office.

The Altroz XM offers a comfortable ride, with its suspension tuned to handle both city streets and highways effectively. The steering is light, responsive, and surprisingly well‑balanced compared to its rivals—making U‑turns near MG Road a breeze and parking in tight spots a non‑issue. The ride quality was especially appreciated on smooth stretches like the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway, as it absorbed bumps and potholes with minimal discomfort. However, the clutch can be heavy in stop‑and‑go traffic, as I experienced during a long crawl near Azadpur.

On highways, the car performs adequately up to about 110 km/h, but beyond that, you can feel the engine working hard—especially with the AC on—making overtaking slower vehicles a bit challenging at times.

The interior of the Altroz XM is well‑designed and spacious, offering comfortable seating for five passengers. The front seats are supportive, and the rear bench provides adequate space for two adults.

 I found the seats to be sufficient in terms of padding and adjustability, although for anyone over 6 ft tall, knee clearance might be an issue. The rear seating offers decent comfort for two adults; one child might fit in the middle, but that’s about it. The flat rear floor significantly improves legroom.

There are no rear AC vents in the Tata Altroz XM, but the powerful AC cools the cabin quite rapidly.

Our XM+ unit came with features such as a Harman audio system, cruise control, and height‑adjustable seats. The 7‑inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, was a highlight that made navigation quite effective. 

The sound system was adequate, and the cabin felt very cozy with its chunky design. The boot space, at 345 litres, was sufficient for your weekend vegetables and general cargo. 

However, the quality of the interior plastics felt a bit low‑grade when I brushed my hand over the dash—not flimsy, but not plush either—which might disappoint buyers expecting a premium feel for the price.

The Altroz boasts a distinctive design that sets it apart from other hatchbacks in its segment. Its sleek lines, bold front grille, and LED headlamps give it a modern and aggressive look that turns heads.

The headlamp throw is just about average, and the owner is already considering some aftermarket modifications. On the top XZ variants, you get additional aesthetic features like auto wipers, upgraded headlights, and a blacked‑out roof. The XM variant comes with 16‑inch alloy wheels, while the entry‑level XE trim is equipped with R15 wheels.

Safety is a priority with the Altroz, which comes standard with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. It has received a five‑star rating from Global NCAP, reassuring buyers about its crashworthiness. I really wish Tata would implement six airbags as standard across all variants, as even Maruti includes them in models like the Alto and Celerio.

Altroz primarily competes with Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza and Hyundai i20. The Baleno offers a refined engine and Suzuki's strong service center network, The Glanza and Baleno are essentially the same cars.  While the Hyundai i20 is sportier of the trio with better build quality and driving experience, albeit with lower mileage. 

The 2025 Tata Altroz is a well‑rounded hatchback that ticks most boxes with its combination of style, safety, and practicality. Compared to rivals like the Baleno, Swift, and i20, it offers significantly better safety and engine options at a very attractive starting price. We strongly advise you to review the Tata service center near your location to ensure hassle‑free ownership.