When I first heard rumors that the Tata Altroz would get its first mid-cycle facelift in May 2025, I was both curious and skeptical. After all, the Altroz has already established itself in the premium B-segment hatchback market in India. However, with the Tata’s design and technology advancements across the range, I felt that this was more than just a fresh coat of paint. It’s not just a routine update, it’s a complete evolution.
Enthusiasts who love long-haul trips through the Western Ghats or weekend trips to Goa will appreciate the Altroz’s sleek LED lights, flush door handles and sturdier construction, which hints at a new level of sophistication. But beyond the glitz and glamour, there’s real substance: three fuel options, standard six airbags, a 10.25-inch digital cabin, and smarter suspension dynamics.
Honestly, after spending weeks driving a variety of cars, including gasoline, diesel, and CNG, I think the Tata has solved all the problems of the previous car. Did they do it? Let me walk you through it, it’s like rediscovering a familiar friend with a surprisingly new level of sophistication.
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Design and Build Quality
Honestly, I’m surprised at how refreshed the revamped Altroz looks, yet how familiar it still is. The headlamps are dual-pillar LED headlamps with eyebrow-style daytime running lights that stand out in the dusk. Above the front, the Curvv’s first-ever recessed illuminated door handles are not only stylish, but also open fully to 90 degrees, making them handy in tight parking spaces.
From the side, sharper 16-inch wheels and a fine-tuned bumper line give it a sporty yet elegant stance. Inside, Tata’s new dual-spoke steering wheel, soft-touch dashboard, ambient lighting, piano black accents and illuminated accents take you inside a redesigned cabin. It no longer feels like an economy car. Quality seems to have improved, with fewer noises than the previous model.
Structurally, it’s still on the ALFA-ARC platform, but now uses more ultra-high-strength steel, and the Tata is clearly improving safety, especially with six airbags as standard, as well as body stability control on all models. In short, this facelift feels like a confident update, exuding quality, better robustness and increased utility for longer trips.
Engine, Performance and Ride Comfort
The Altroz stays true to its familiar mechanical roots, but with a significant step up in refinement. Under the bonnet are the trusty 1.2-liter Revotron petrol, the 1.5-liter Revotorq diesel and the 1.2-liter iCNG. The Racer turbocharged petrol version may have been shelved due to limited demand, but it still offers a wide range of options.
The petrol engine is quite smooth and powerful enough for city driving, but needs more thrust to perform when overtaking, as is typical of a three-cylinder engine. I would recommend the diesel engine for those who plan to travel long distances or to Leh-Ladakh. It remains India’s only diesel hatchback, and rightly so. On the real road, it hauls confidently from low revs and is great for heavy loads or steep slopes. It can be a little hissy at times, but the available torque makes up for it.
Where the Altroz really shines is in the ride quality. I drove it on the Mumbai-Pune highway, and even when I encountered some rough surfaces on country roads, the suspension held up. The 5-speed manual transmission in the diesel version is quite smooth, while the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and AMT in the petrol version are surprisingly refined. The overall experience makes this updated Altroz a comfortable and capable ride for all Indian roads.
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Tech Features and Safety
This is where Tata raises the bar. The 10.25“ infotainment touchscreen from Harman is colorful and responsive, and it supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the 10.25” digital dashboard. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and comes with a 10.25-inch digital dashboard for a clean and modern look, and Tata’s iRA connected car technology is also on board, offering remote control features such as lock-unlock, location tracking, e-calls and over-the-air updates.
Other features include ambient lighting, wireless phone charger, air purifier, voice-activated sunroof, electric folding front windows, cruise control and even blind-spot monitors that mimic those in more advanced cars. All this makes the interior feel more premium than its price.
In terms of safety, the Tata also goes all out. Six airbags, ESP, hill descent assist, ISOFIX mounts, a 360-degree camera, rear parking sensors and ABS are all there, and most of them come as standard on all models. The previous global NCAP rating was a perfect 5 stars, and while the latest Bharat NCAP rating is yet to be announced, the structural enhancements suggest that the Tata is aiming to meet or exceed this rating.
Touring Capability and Off-road Use
That’s where I had the most fun. I rode more than 1,200 kilometers over a wide variety of terrain, including urban freeways, mountain passes, and rugged inland roads, and the Altroz handled it all with aplomb. The ride quality is no joke. Even when fully loaded, the suspension maintains its elegance, glides easily past speed check points and handles gravel roads with ease.
The diesel engine’s powerful low-rpm torque makes it particularly suitable for climbing and overtaking on narrow mountain roads. The petrol dual-clutch gearbox also performs admirably, especially in smooth freeway cruising conditions, while the CNG model is clearly focused on frugality and is ideal for city commuters, although it does lack punch when climbing hills.
The 165mm ground clearance is good for a hatchback and I never had to worry about scraping on most Indian roads. Although it’s not designed for off-roading, the Altroz handles rugged surfaces, light dirt roads and even steep slopes with ease, provided it’s driven carefully. This makes the Altroz a truly usable option for weekend getaways or semi-urban commutes.
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Verdict: Who Should Consider This Car
If you’re looking for a quality hatchback that goes beyond looks and offers a complete, practical driving experience, the 2025 Tata Altroz should be your first choice. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a family upgrading from a small hatchback, or someone who values safety and space but doesn’t want to opt for an SUV, this car is a compelling choice.
The diesel model is the first choice for highway cruisers and frequent travelers, while the CNG version saves you a lot of money on your daily city commute. If you are simply looking for a stylish, sophisticated gasoline car with modern features, the DCT is the right choice. Prices start at $6.89 million and go up to about $11.49 million (excluding showroom), depending on trim and fuel type.
It’s not without its quirks. The gasoline engine still lacks a bit of top-end punch, and some may, like the i20, crave a bit more oomph. But overall, this Altroz feels mature, sophisticated and truly worth living with. In an increasingly crowded and confusing market for crossovers and mini-SUVs, the Altroz stands firm on its core values of safety, value and driveability.
TLDR
- Design: Sharper and more upmarket
- Performance: Diesel is king for distance, CNG is wallet-friendly, petrol is refined
- Tech & Safety: Wireless everything, 10.25 inch displays, six airbags standard
- Comfort: Plush, stable, and long-drive friendly
- Value: Starts at 6.89 lakh, tops out near 11.5 lakh
Final Take
The Tata Altroz 2025 doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It knows its strengths, focuses on what Indian buyers actually want, and refines that equation to the hilt. For someone like me who enjoys driving, plans road trips and cares about build quality and fuel economy, it offers a rare balance. It’s not a showy car, but it’s one that you can appreciate every day you own it.
From this review, I think Tata has found a sweet spot. They haven’t reinvented the Altroz, but they’ve made it sharper, smarter and more practical than ever. And in the real world, where potholes, traffic, and family needs are more important than lap times, that’s all that really matters.
Tags: Tata Altroz 2025, Tata Altroz facelift, Tata Altroz review, Altroz CNG review, Tata Altroz 2025 India launch, Tata cars India 2025, Budget touring cars India.