2025 Tata Altroz first drive: The only hatchback with a diesel engine

The Tata Altroz, India’s only diesel hatchback, now gets a mid-life refresh. While the petrol variant stacks up against the Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza, the Altroz also gets the CNG powertrain which goes up against the Baleno. The Altroz diesel though remains in a class of its own being the sole flag bearer for the motor among hatchbacks. And now this refresh should infuse some life into the premium hatchback segment that has only four players left. But is diesel still relevant in this day and age? Let’s look at the figures.

Since its launch in 2021, Altroz has sold a little over 2,40,000 units. Of these, diesels account for about 10 per cent. It’s interesting to note that within the overall Tata Motors portfolio, diesel, CNG and EVs saw an increase in contribution, at the expense of petrol. And that is why Tata Motors is still offering the Altroz with a diesel engine. Before we drive it, let’s walk through the key changes in this mid-life refresh.

2025 Tata Altroz exterior

The Altroz has always been a handsome car and the facelift makes it even sharper. So much so that you will not mistake this for the pre-facelift Altroz. The revisions to its front end include sharper LED headlamps and fog lamps, along with a redesigned bumper incorporating new aerodynamic elements, particularly skirts at the extremities. In profile the Altroz gets newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels, indicators integrated into the wing mirrors, and flush-fitting door handles. At the rear, the LED tail lamps now span the full width of the car, and the rear bumper has also been subtly restyled. Some of these updates aren't purely for aesthetics; they also contribute to improved aerodynamic efficiency.

2025 Tata Altroz interior

Before we get inside, we have to appreciate the 90 degree opening doors of the Altroz. It makes for an especially convenient ingress and egress. Inside, the cabin now feels more modern and premium. The most noticeable update is the 10.2-inch infotainment screen, complemented by a part-digital instrument cluster which becomes fully digital on the Accomplished S+ trim. Touch-sensitive buttons on the centre console similar to the Nexon and Curvv make an appearance along with the steering wheel with the illuminated Tata logo. Beige upholstery adds a sense of premiumness along with the cross line pattern on the dashboard and the soft touch elements on the armrest and door handles. To add to the airy feeling, the electric sunroof carries over to this Altroz as well. All the seats benefit from extended thigh support, designed to improve driver and occupant comfort.

However, at the rear it does create a slight visual illusion of the legroom being a tad less than before. Having said that, the space in the Altroz is plentiful. The rear seat passengers get a good amount of kneeroom and the headroom is good for someone up to 6 feet. The boot space too, at 345 litres is the highest in its segment. This boot space drops by 135 litres for the CNG version due to its twin CNG tanks.

From the drivers’ seat I quite appreciate the ergonomic layout of the Altroz, everything comes to hand without having to extend yourself and reach out. The steering is adjustable for height but not reach.

2025 Tata Altroz engines and transmissions

The Altroz has always boasted a well-sorted chassis. Its inherent dynamic capabilities, however, haven’t been fully exploited by the engines. This also remains the case with this facelift. The engines are carried over. The 1.2-litre petrol makes 87bhp and 115Nm and gets the option of CNG, dropping power by 15bhp and torque by 10Nm. A new addition to the powertrain offerings is the 5-speed AMT which is available with the petrol engine adding to the manual and DCT. Point to note, the manual retains 5 speeds and is not the 6 speed from the Nexon. The diesel is carried over and remains the most potent option with 89bhp and 200Nm – at least until the potential announcement of a sportier 'Racer' model.

The petrol range gets three gearbox options in manual, AMT and DCT. It is available in five variants and starts from ₹6.89 lakh going up to ₹11.49 lakh for the fully loaded DCT variant. The CNG on the other hand is available on four variants, starts at ₹7.89 lakh, goes up to ₹11.09 lakh and only gets a manual gearbox. And we can see why – the petrol engine is not a sharp performer and obviously CNG eats into the power further due to the calorific value of the CNG fuel. Subsequently. an automatic option would feel pretty sluggish. Also worth considering is the approximate 1100kg weight of the Altroz, which when compared to about 950kg of the Baleno is considerably higher. Since both cars produce similar power, the power to weight ratio significantly tilts towards the Baleno, making it feel more sprightly in comparison.

The diesel is available on only two variants costing ₹8.99 lakh and ₹11.29 lakh.

2025 Tata Altroz performance and handling

Now we have driven the various engines and gearboxes of the Altroz in the past and the performance has never come for high praise with the only exception being the diesel. And this continues to be the case. It’s got good torque, it’s easy going on the highway with impressive highway manners. There is a very noticeable turbo lag in the diesel, but once its past 1800rpm, the turbo spools up and the car suddenly comes to life and keeps on going. This feeling is opposite in the CNG, where the initial power surge feels adequate but loses steam past 3000rpm. To make quick overtakes, you really have to work the gears with the petrol and CNG.

Generally hatchbacks haven’t been noted for excellent road manners at speed, but the Altroz changes that narrative and continues to set that benchmark. The car feels stable at high speeds and in the windy conditions which we encountered. The ~1100kg weight along with the robust chassis shows its advantages here. Cornering hard, there is a bit of roll but it’s well mannered and the car remains under control.

The suspension setup prioritises a comfortable and compliant ride, which it delivers admirably. The bumps and potholes are soaked up with a gentle thud and the cabin remains poised, adding to the comfort factor. The ride feels robust and feels from a class above, which is typical of Tata vehicles to offer solid feeling cars along with 5 star safety rating. Tata Motors has also made improvements to the NVH levels in this update. There's a tangible reduction in the amount of road and wind noise permeating the cabin, and vibrations have also been overall better suppressed. Notably though, the clutch is on a heavier side compared to the Baleno or i20.

2025 Tata Altroz verdict

The 2025 Tata Altroz doesn’t get one single dramatic overhaul but benefits from a collection of thoughtful refinements. This is an update that largely focuses on aesthetics and subtle changes to make it feel more premium, and some added tech to keep it up-to-date.

Priced between ₹6.89 lakh and ₹11.49 lakh, Tata Motors has equipped the Altroz with a diverse range of engine and gearbox options. It will aid in catering to a wide spectrum of customer needs and even attempt to win back some buyers who have started opting for a compact SUV in place of the premium hatch segment altogether. And along with the changes outlined above, that is its ace.

Now the question is if diesel still has a place in the market in 2025. Make no mistake, the diesel Altroz is a well rounded package and is one car that can do everything from city runs to highway duties while being equipped with good space packaging. But it’s not for everyone. Since most hatchbacks are used within the city, the overall running is less. Considering the price gap between the base diesel and petrol, you probably won’t recover it in just city runs. But if you are using it for longer distances then a diesel is still relevant for you in 2025.