Tata’s premium hatchback gets its first big update. There’s lots to talk about.
Tata Motors has had a busy few years with a slew of EV launches and revitalised SUVs, but if there’s one model that seemed left behind it’s the Altroz. Sure, its received a new dual-clutch gearbox, a (now-discontinued) turbo-petrol engine and a CNG variant in the time since launch in 2020 but the basic package itself has largely been untouched. Things change with the Altroz facelift you see here. Fresher styling, a redone interior and a massive feature upgrade bring the likeable Tata premium hatchback to the present.
2025 Tata Altroz facelift exterior design and engineering – 9/10
Large, well proportioned and stylish, the Tata Altroz was always a looker. This facelift adds new-age glam to a very appealing design.
The updated Altroz conforms to Tata’s sharper new style sheet, and the effect is great. Making the biggest impact up front is the new bumper that sports more pronounced cuts and creases at the side vents and fog lamp enclosures. The fog lamps are smaller, sit lower down and have been upgraded to LEDs on top-spec versions. A slimmer grille with a textured finish is part of the updates too and flows slickly into the swept back headlamps. While the headlamps are familiar in shape, the internals have been redone with new LED DRLs and, on top-spec versions, full LED lighting.
New alloy wheels (with EV-like aero streaks) are part of the updates but aren’t the only changes at the sides. Tata Motors has gone the distance with new doors with softer lines as well as a slimmer iteration of the black band that underlines the windows. It’s a cleaner look but the updated Altroz has lost some of the original’s sporty tipped forward stance. Flush-fitting front door handles are new but aren’t easiest to use, requiring a firm press to get the lever out. As before, the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillar and, again, take some getting used to.
Styling at the back has been revamped though, at first glance, you might think just the rear bumper is new. However, while the tail lamp housing is unchanged, lighting is from slim LEDs inside. Top models also get a light bar that up the wow factor. Just wish Tata could have also given the Altroz chunkier rubber. The 185 section tyres take a bit away from the stance. Notably, 195 section tyres were dropped over the Altroz’s life perhaps in the interest of upping economy.
The Altroz is built on Tata Motor’s ALFA architecture. Side protection has been beefed up with this update to meet the more stringent requirements for a 5 star crash test rating in today’s Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP protocols. The original Altroz was a 5 star Global NCAP rated car and Tata will sure be gunning for full marks for the 2025 model.
2025 Tata Altroz facelift interior space and comfort – 8/10
Where the Altroz takes a big step forwards is on the inside. Sure, there are a lot of elements common to other Tata models but the combined effect is that of an up-to-date and premium interior. The digital instruments, 10.25-inch touchscreen, a two spoke steering with an illuminated logo and new centre console go a long way to enhance the look of things inside.
The dashboard has been spruced up too with lighter colours and new textures, and there’s a nice use of ambient lighting too. Fit and finish is good though keeping the light upholstery clean will require some commitment on your part. Also, the gloss black panel for the climate control system is easy to scratch so could lose its sheen soon.
Tata Motors has enhanced the seats with greater thigh support, and this does aid comfort over long drives. Drivers will miss steering reach adjust (it still adjusts for angle only) and will also find the thick A pillar to hamper visibility at crossroads.
Doors that open to 90 degrees (a feature on ALFA architecture cars) make getting in and out easy though it’s quite a reach to pull the door in from full extension. Rear seat space is satisfactory (a Hyundai i20 is roomier) for average-sized adults but taller occupants will find headroom adequate but no more. Also, the rear seat is a touch upright.
The Altroz does well to offer enough storage spaces inside the cabin including a handily large glovebox. 345 litres of boot space is a class best stat and what’s particularly impressive is that even the CNG versions offer a very usable 210 litres of room, made possible by Tata’s clever use of two slim CNG tanks, in place of a larger single tank.
2025 Tata Altroz facelift features and safety – 8/10
The Tata Altroz is available in four trims (or personas as Tata calls them), namely Pure, Smart, Creative and Accomplished S, with the last three further available with ‘+’ add-on packs.
However, only the Altroz DCA can be had in fully-loaded Accomplished S+ form which makes it the only with features like 10.25-inch digital dials (integrated with a map view and blind view monitor), connected tech and an onboard air purifier.
Our Accomplished S trim test cars did not disappoint on kit, though. The 10.25-inch touchscreen is responsive and quick, and worked without glitch. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included and the 360-degree camera’s resolution is good too. Wireless charging is part of the package and there are also 65W type-C chargers front and rear that can power a laptop.
Ambient lighting adds some colour to the dash and you can further brighten proceedings with a sunroof (offered as an option of the Smart and Creative trims). Of the other things, the part digital instruments with a 7-inch MID are informative as well. Leatherette upholstery is no longer offered on the Altroz and a bigger miss is the exclusion of front seat ventilation that was only recently rolled out on the Altroz Racer.
Standard safety kit includes 6 airbags, electronic stability control, Isofix child seat mounts and 3-point seatbelts for all seats. Irritatingly, the rear seats lack load sensors and buzz a seatbelt reminder even if the seats are not occupied. Higher-spec models add in auto lights and wipers, tyre pressure monitors and height adjustable rear headrests.
2025 Tata Altroz facelift performance and refinement – 7/10
With the update, Tata Motors has made some changes to the engine and gearbox options on offer. The turbo-petrol engine-powered Altroz Racer has been dropped (at least for now) and there’s the new option of an AMT for the 1.2-litre petrol engine. To put the powertrain matrix in words, the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, petrol engine (88hp and 115Nm) can be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox, a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic and a new 5-speed AMT. The Altroz CNG that uses the same 1.2 engine as its base (power drops to 73.5hp and 103Nm in CNG mode) can be had with a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT comes soon. And finally, there’s a 90hp and 200Nm, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel that can only be had with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Featured here are the CNG and diesel versions of the Altroz.
