We keep hearing that small hatchbacks are dead. But Tata Motors seems to think differently because it has given its biggest update yet to the Tiago and the Tiago CNG. And you get a whole range of high-end features, which is quite surprising.

You get a 360-degree camera, you get a large screen. The CNG version gets an AMT gearbox with paddle shifters. So, what is it actually like and does this premiumization of a hatchback make sense?

The new look brings the Tiago in line with the Altroz with the split face, bonnet, and fenders. The pastel shades are a fresh touch and the boxy lighting is a slight retro take that works well. The CNG version misses out on fog lamps and the fifteen-inch alloys of the petrol version. This should not be the case and the full premium experience should have been made available. Also, since the Tiago has been de-chromed with this update, the new chrome door handles do not quite fit.

The new tail lamp cluster has a full-width effect, but the tail lamps themselves have neat LED detailing that looks premium. Before we get to the CNG AMT, here are the small changes to the driving experience that apply in the real world with the petrol Tata Tiago.

Tata Motors has not done a lot to the petrol version of the Tiago, but they have recalibrated this one point two litre motor. It still makes 86 PS and 130 Nm, but there has been a change in terms of drivability and refinement. There is a lot less vibration felt in the cabin now. At lower RPMs, you have that typical slightly tinny, gruff note that most of these Tata engines have, but as you rev it out, it does start to sound quite nice.

The refinement is especially good because this is a three-cylinder engine. But this one trait of Tata engines that really always works is the driveability. And that continues in this car. You can drive this car over speed breakers or pick up speed from a higher gear at really low RPMs, like how we typically drive our cars. So, that in traffic does make this car quite easy to drive.

The trade-off to this is that this is not an engine you will want to rev out since it does not have a very strong top end and seems to run out of breath past about 4,500 RPM. In the real world, this hampers getting up to highway speeds quickly.

But Tata Motors has made one change which has probably done more for the driving experience than anything else. It is this new gear shifter. First of all, it is quite nice to hold. It has a rubberized feel. It has a golf ball effect. It reminds you of gearboxes from some hot hatches.

With the lever itself becoming quite shorter, throws feel a bit more engaging. The gearbox has not changed much. It still has that slightly soft, rubbery feel. It is not the slickest gearbox. But just the small change does bring a lot of engagement to the experience. You have this short throw effect. So, you really do feel like this is a more engaging car to drive. That shows how important ergonomics tend to be for a car’s driving experience.

The clutch travel has also become more progressive, so shifts are smoother. But the clutch pedal is placed quite far forward in the footwell. So, finding a comfortable driving position is not easy. And yes, this is not a Swift, but this is still a fairly engaging car to drive. It has this tough, stable feel to it at high speeds. It has a solidness to it that you do not really get in cars of this size or price.

So, it gives you a lot of confidence and it also has good body control. When you are leaning into corners, it feels steady and it holds its line quite well because it is not a big car. There is not much understeer and it will not really run wide. There is not much feel through the steering and it is quite dead.

But as you turn in, it does weigh up, but it is still light enough to not be tiring in traffic. The braking too feels secure and confident for a small car. The 360-degree camera needs a mention too. It makes placing this car in traffic easy with a clear feed and the blind view functions. But if you are looking for a package that maximizes low running costs and easy driving, you might be looking at the CNG AMT version.

The Tiago with the CNG option and the AMT makes about 76 PS and 97 Nm. But it works almost as well as the manual. Here on the highway, you do notice that slight performance deficit. But given that this engine is quite linear and really quite drivable and has good low-end responses, it is really not that bad.

And once you get onto a cruise, then of course, it does not really matter. Picking up speed takes a bit more time. But the AMT calibration from Tata Motors is impressive. It is slightly better than what you expect in this segment. And given that they have moved to this rotary dial, I now have paddle shifters. The shifts are not quick and the head nods you expect in an AMT are there, but it is not annoying and has been dialed into the overall calibration.

The paddles also are as responsive as a traditional shifter might have been. Tata Motors has reworked the rotary knob of the gear selector to be more intuitive to use. That being said, we still need to see what the overall experience is like with a full load of passengers.

Some things to be careful of are that while planning an overtake, you have to know what is happening around you because this car just does not have the performance to give you a quick one, and it is best done if you switch to manual mode. I do wish there was an easier way to switch back to auto from the manual function because to engage manual you can just pull the paddle. But going back to drive, you have to twist this selector, and sometimes you can go into neutral.

There is good focus on practicality with the redesigned center console that holds a lot more things now. Even the door bins are good for one litre bottles. Also, unlike other Tata cars, you get physical climate controls that are easier to use on the move. Finally, the horn pad on the steering wheel has been improved too, and the seats get more support.

What could have been done differently is that there is quite a bit of gloss black here in the ICE versions and on the door cards. Those could have just been the same material that were in the EV. And the cruise control in this one, which the CNG does not get, and even the EV to a certain extent misses some things that you get in this version.

The most significant change has come to the interior, where you now have a minimal look with a more modern theme with the free-standing screens and the various textures and materials. There is also soft fabric finish on the dashboard and doors, which is not very common in this segment. The five-inch instrument cluster is well laid out, but can catch quite a bit of glare in direct sunlight. The CNG version has a slightly different layout, but no range indicator when in CNG mode. The ten point two five inch screen is intuitive as in other Tata cars, but responses have been improved further and you now get connected features.

The backseat of the ICE and the CNG Tiago are very similar, but this dark color theme does make it feel a bit more cocooned. It is not really tight considering that the headlining is quite light and you also have these light contrast patterns on the fabric.

But, Tata does not say this, I do think that the way the seat is positioned is a bit different. You have the new cushioning in this version too. But, I feel like the seat on this ICE version and the CNG version is still a slight bit lower than the battery pack version. I also think that the seatback angle is slightly different. So, if you have a bad hip, then the EV version’s backseat feels marginally better.

The boot of the Tiago has not exactly changed. It is still 242 litres. But, if you remember the EV version, the floor is quite a bit deeper, so you can actually put two trollies on top of each other. So, it is a bit more practical for four people. But, this is the CNG version. And there is still enough space. I would not say it is enough for a full car’s worth of people, but it is better than a lot of other CNG cars, especially of this size where the big tank is in the middle. Because of twin cylinder technology, you have this kind of opening. And it is a fairly practical solution.

The Tata Tiago with this update does well to create a feature-heavy experience in the segment. It also provides a safe, easy driving experience. It is not the most fun and there are more efficient options, but its USP will be the youthful feel that is being offered with the looks, cabin ambience, and features.

The CNG AMT combination does cut some corners on features, but works well as an overall package that has enough going for it in terms of convenience and low running costs that will appeal in these times of high fuel prices.

FAQs

1. What premium features does the new Tata Tiago get?
The new Tiago comes with a 360-degree camera, a ten point two five inch touchscreen, free-standing instrument cluster, soft fabric dashboard finish, and the CNG version gets an AMT gearbox with paddle shifters.

2. What is the power output of the Tiago CNG AMT?
The Tiago CNG AMT produces 76 PS of power and 97 Nm of torque. The AMT calibration is smooth for city use and the engine offers good low-end drivability.

3. How practical is the boot space in Tiago CNG?
Thanks to twin cylinder technology, the CNG tanks do not take up the entire boot. Total boot space is 242 litres and it remains usable for daily luggage, which is better than most CNG cars in this segment.

4. What changes are there in the Tiago petrol engine?
The one point two litre petrol engine is retuned. Power remains 86 PS and 130 Nm. Refinement is better with lower cabin vibrations and improved low-end drivability. The new gear shifter also makes the driving experience more engaging.

5. Should you buy the new Tiago?
If you want a safe, feature-loaded, and easy-to-drive hatchback, the Tiago is a strong option. The CNG AMT version is ideal for low running costs. The youthful design and premium cabin are its key highlights.