Tata Tiago CNG Review — Cleaner, Greener, More Efficient & Packed With Features

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Prices of petrol are on the rise and it doesn't seem like prices will head downhill anytime soon. At the same time, there is a steady increase in environmental awareness in general. Hence, the demand for alternative fuels is at an all-time high.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Pure electric and hybrid-electric vehicles certainly are the way to go, however, there are lakhs of motorists out there who are still sceptical about making the switch. As a result, there is a spurt in demand for CNG-fueled vehicles. CNG, which was once thought to be the perfect fuel for usage only in taxis, is now making its way to garages of families across the country.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Tata Motors stepped up to meet the increase in demand and recently launched its range of CNG-fueled vehicles. The Indian auto giant launched the Tiago and Tigor iCNG models in several variants. We got behind the wheel of the top-spec Tata Tiago iCNG to find out what it was all about. Is there a tangible difference when compared to the petrol-powered model? Read on to know more.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Design & Style

There isn't much on the outside that differentiates the Tiago iCNG from the standard petrol-powered hatchback. It retains the design and styling that we are now very familiar with. The biggest difference comes in the form of a new colour option.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

It is called Midnight Plum and is a dark plum shade. It almost looks like a shade of Black in the absence of direct light. However, when viewed in the sunshine, it has a lovely gleam and sets the Tiago apart in a sea of hatchbacks.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Up front, the hatchback features the ever so familiar sweptback headlamps. We drove the top-spec ZX+ dual-tone variant, which meant it was equipped with projector headlamp units. The low beam is handled by the projector while the high beam operates using the reflector bit of the headlamp.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

At the centre is a blacked-out grille with Tata's signature tri-arrow pattern on it. There is quite a lot of chrome on the front end and the tri-arrow elements on the grille as well as the Tata logo are finished in chrome. Under the grille is a chrome strip that runs across the entire width of the Tiago. Above the grille is a strip of plastic finished in piano black.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The lower bumper features a simple two-slat grille in between, flanked by the fog lamps and inverted-L-shaped DRLs on both sides. In order to give it a more sportier look, Tata has equipped it with a lower lip.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

When viewed from the side profile, there are a few elements that really grab your attention. The first element that your eyes will be drawn to are the wheels. It rides on 14-inch wheels that look brilliant. However, as it turns out, these aren't proper alloy wheels but simple four-spoke steel wheels masked by a lovely set of wheel caps.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The quality of the wheel caps is high enough to make them look like proper alloy wheels. The Tiago iCNG features a blacked-out roof, spoiler, and ORVMs. The side profile is where the new Midnight Plum colour comes into its own. It is a subtle and classy colour.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

At the rear, the hatchback retains the same design and styling as the outgoing model. It features a spoiler with an integrated stop lamp. The Tata logo and Tiago badging take prominence. Beneath the Tiago badge is the kehole and beneath that is the reverse parking camera. The camera juts out of the body and this does take away some of the neatness from the design.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The lower lip of the tailgate gets a thick chrome strip that adds some premium feel to it. The bumper is nice and chunky and features a matte black insert inside it, and this increases the style quotient. The only major difference at the rear is the iCNG badging. The rest remains the same.

On the whole, the Tiago remains a stylish hatchback and the fact that the Indian audience is familiar with the design, further helps when it comes to selling the car.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Cockpit & Interior

The Tata Tiago iCNG is one of the most spacious vehicles in the segment, and it is easy to see why it has been a huge success. It features a dual-tone interior scheme with Black and Beige as the main colours. The top half of the dashboard is decked in Black while the bottom half, as well as the centre console is finished in Beige.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

There are also some bits and bobs where the Tiago iCNG features a piano Black finish. The AC vents get chrome surrounds. And the instrument binnacle also gets chrome surrounds. Taking centre stage on the dashboard is the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system from Harman.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

This infotainment unit is complete with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. However, the phone will have to be connected to the system via a USB slot in order to use these features. Sound is reproduced through a premium 8-speaker audio system from Harman.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The sound from the speakers is well-balanced and powerful too. However, in order to get the best out of the speakers, one would need to use the three-band equaliser to tune the sound as the onboard equaliser presets are average at best.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

If Apple CarPlay and Android auto is not your thing, you can also connect to the system via Bluetooth. Pairing the phone is a straightforward process and if you connect it to the system via the USB cable and use Android Auto, the phone automatically gets paired with the system for Bluetooth as well. This is a handy feature.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Beneath the touchscreen are a few important buttons. Some of these buttons are blank, but the three that are there will see useage on an everyday basis. One of them turns the fog lamp on or off, while another locks/unlocks the car doors. The most important one though is the CNG button that helps the driver switch between petrol and CNG fuels.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Beneath these buttons, the Beige part of the dashboard begins and gives way to the centre console. It is here that the control panel for climate control is located. Changes to the temperature and fan speed can be made via the rotary knobs. In between the rotary knobs is a space that looks like a screen at first. However, it is actually a black space that serves no purpose.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

A small LCD screen that displays information related to the temperature, fan speed, and air circulation should have been placed here. This information is now displayed on the main 7-inch screen instead and this can be very confusing to operate. You can also use the touchscreen to make changes to climate control.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

A bit lower in the centre console, ahead of the gear lever is a cubbyhole to store your phone. Behind the gear lever are a couple of cup holders and behind that is another cubbyhole. The centre console does look a little too bland and could have been better with some more elements. An armrest would have certainly helped in this regard.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The Tata Tiago iCNG features a flat-bottom steering wheel with steering-mounted controls for infotainment. Behind it is the digital instrument cluster. It features an LCD display surrounding a smaller TFT display. The TFT screen displays lots of information including range, CNG temperature, odometer, speedometer, etc.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

It even displays a warning when the fuel filler lid is open. The LCD takes care of displaying the petrol tank gauge, CNG tank gauge, engine temperature gauge, and other driving essentials.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Comfort, Practicality & Boot Space

As aforementioned, the Tata Tiago iCNG is spacious and there is absolutely no feeling of being claustrophobic in it. The seats are made of fabric and there are multiple colours at play here. The base colour is Black, and it features contrast stitching as well. The central part of the seat features a grey shade with Tata's signature tri-arrow design in multiple colours.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The door panels feature a simple design language and are decked in Black and Beige. The door handles get a brushed aluminium finish and the door pockets are decent in size. One can fit two 500ml water bottles in the door pockets. Two speakers are placed in each door panel.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The seats are comfortable and feature a lot of space for the driver and co-driver. Head to the second row and the seats still remain comfortable, however, the space reduces by a bit. The headroom and knee room are great, but thigh support could have been better. Passengers at the rear will also find that there is a lack of features.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The hatchback lacks a fold-down armrest. It might not be the norm in this segment, but it is definitely a feature that would have added to the feel-good factor. The headrests for the passengers at the rear are fixed and therefore can get uncomfortable at times.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Moving on to the rear, open the boot, and you are greeted by the large CNG tank. It is a 60-litre tank and therefore occupies the entire boot space. It sits on a specially-made steel rack and is fastened in place. The petrol-powered Tiago has a boot space of 242-litres. This reduces to just 80-litres in the iCNG model.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Underneath the CNG tank is some space where you can store a small bag on top of the spare wheel. However, to access this space and even the spare wheel, you would have to fold the rear seat down.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Engine Performance & Driving Impressions

The Tata Tiago iCNG can be driven in petrol or CNG modes. By default, the car prioritises CNG, so whenever you drive it in petrol mode and switch off ignition, and then start it once again, it switches to CNG fuelling automatically. It is also the first car in the country that can be started while in CNG mode, and this is possible courtesy of a single advanced ECU.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The 1.2-litre from the standard petrol-powered Tiago has been retained. Of course, some modifications have been made in order to make it compatible with CNG. CNG-powered cars are generally slower and a little less lively than their petrol-powered counterparts. It looks like the Tiago iCNG is also the same, at least on paper.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

While being fueled by petrol, the Tiago iCNG puts out 84.8bhp at 6,000rpm and 113Nm at 3,300rpm. Hit the CNG button on the dashboard, and the ‘CNG Mode Active' notification pops up on the instrumentation. Immediately, the power output drops to 72.39bhp and peak torque output reduces to 95Nm.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

This is 12.4bhp and 18Nm lower than in petrol mode and therefore one would think that there will be a difference in performance. At least, in theory, the Tiago must be slower. In reality, though, things are quite different. The acceleration doesn't change much, and the car still hits triple-digit speeds with ease.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

You can switch between petrol and CNG modes even while on the move and the car drives like nothing happened. There is no hesitation in or delay in responding to throttle inputs. Keep in mind that the Tiago iCNG is the most-powerful CNG-fueled vehicle in the segment.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The three-cylinder engine is peppy and easy-going, while also being noisy. The three-cylinder clatter is still clearly heard. The clutch is light and easy to use while slotting into gears is smooth. You still do have a slightly rubbery feel while shifting gears, however, this isn't really bothersome.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

The suspension setup is slightly towards the stiffer side, but that is not saying that it has a harsh ride. Potholes are clearly felt, however, it is not an uncomfortable ride. There is still some body roll, just like in the Tiago petrol. At 168mm, the ground clearance is 2mm lower than in the Tiago petrol.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Braking is adequate and the low rolling resistance tyres don't really give you a lot of confidence to corner at higher speeds. At highway speeds though, driving the Tiago iCNG is a pleasure thanks to the way the steering weighs up at those speeds.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Safety & Key Features

Tata Motors' vehicles have been scoring brilliantly on the safety charts in recent times and the Tiago is no different. It scored a 4-Star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests. The iCNG model too brings with it the same build quality and basic safety features.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Tata Tiago iCNG Safety Features:

- Dual Airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Corner Stability Control
- Rear Parking Camera

Along with these safety features, the Tiago iCNG comes with some CNG-related safety features. This includes the stainless steel CNG tank that has been tested across various pressures and temperatures. It also gets Thermal incident protection where the supply of CNG is cut off in case of a fire or any thermal incident.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

If a leak is detected by the system, it would automatically switch to petrol mode. As an added precaution, Tata Motors sells the hatchback with a fire extinguisher. Of course, we didn't test these features, but it does feel good to have these safety features in place. Lastly, there is a micro-switch near the fuel filler cap that switches the engine off as soon as it is opened, and we did test this feature.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Tata Tiago iCNG Key Features:

- Projector Headlamps
- LED DRLs
- Automatic Climate Control
- 7-inch Touchscreen Infotainment from Harman
- Auto Folding ORVMs
- Steering-Mounted Controls
- Rear Wash Wiper with Defogger

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Tata Tiago iCNG Variants & Pricing

The Tata Tiago iCNG is available in five variants:

- Tiago XE CNG: Rs 6,09,000
- Tiago XM CNG: Rs 6,39,900
- Tiago XT CNG: Rs 6,69,900
- Tiago XZ+ CNG: Rs 7,52,900
- Tiago XZ+ DT CNG: Rs 7,64,900

All prices are ex-showroom, India.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Verdict

The Tata Tiago has always been a brilliant entry-level hatchback. It has a good safety rating and offers spaciousness and comfort to its occupants. Now, it comes with the convenience of having CNG and petrol in the same package.

Tata Tiago CNG Review: Design, Specs, Performance, Interiors, Features, Variants & Other Details

Until now, several manufacturers have launched various CNG-powered cars, however, they all have been made available in just one variant or two. Tata Motors has done a brilliant job by launching the Tiago iCNG in multiple variants with varying prices and features.

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Read more on: #review #tata motors
Article Published On: Thursday, January 27, 2022, 9:00 [IST]
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