Buying a car can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right engine and understanding how it performs in daily life. If you’re eyeing the Tata Altroz Facelift 2025, you probably want to know which engine suits your needs and what to expect from its real-world driving character. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a hatchback enthusiast, I’ll break down each engine, review actual performance, and help you choose honestly—without confusing jargon or sugarcoating.
Let’s make your decision simple and stress-free.
Every Engine on Offer: Tata Altroz Facelift 2025 Powertrain Choices Explained
The Tata Altroz Facelift 2025 stands out by offering three distinct engine options—something unusual in the premium hatchback segment. Here’s what you get:
- 1.2L Revotron Petrol: 1199 cc, 3-cylinder, available with 5-speed manual, 6-speed DCT, and 5-speed AMT gearboxes.
- 1.2L iCNG Bi-Fuel: 1199 cc, petrol-CNG dual fuel, only with a 5-speed manual.
- 1.5L Turbo Diesel: 1497 cc, 4-cylinder turbo, only with a 5-speed manual—making Altroz the only hatchback in its class with a diesel engine in 2025.
For detailed specs and variant options, check out the full Tata Altroz specifications.
What’s New in 2025?
- Improved NVH (noise-vibration-harshness) levels thanks to better engine mounts.
- Refined AMT and DCT gearboxes for smoother city traffic performance.
- Segment-exclusive diesel option retained, which rivals like the Baleno and i20 no longer offer.
Who Should Pick What?
- City commuters: 1.2L Petrol—especially with AMT/DCT.
- Budget-conscious, eco-friendly drivers: 1.2L CNG.
- Highway travelers/fleet owners: 1.5L Diesel for torque and efficiency.
The 1.2L Revotron Petrol: Versatile for Everyday City Use
The 1.2L petrol engine puts out about 88 bhp and 115 Nm of torque. With options for both manual and automatic gearboxes (AMT and DCT), this is the most flexible choice for urban buyers.
Why consider it?
- Smoothness: Runs quietly at idle and low speeds.
- Easy to drive: Light clutch in the manual, and both auto gearboxes make traffic less tiring.
- Best for: Short city hops, occasional highway runs, and anyone wanting an easy-to-maintain hatch.
Drawbacks:
The petrol engine’s low-end response is a bit weak, especially if you’re carrying extra passengers or using the air-con. The AMT can feel slow to respond in bumper-to-bumper jams, but the DCT is much slicker.
The 1.2L CNG Option: Frugal and Eco-Friendly Choice
If you want to cut running costs or travel in low-emissions zones, the Altroz’s factory-fitted CNG is a smart pick. It’s only available with a manual gearbox and delivers about 73 bhp and 103 Nm of torque in CNG mode.
Standout points:
- Low running costs: Cheaper than petrol for daily use.
- Good for: City driving and those who want to save on fuel.
Trade-offs:
- Performance: Slightly less power than the petrol, so overtaking on highways is slower.
- Boot space: CNG tank eats into luggage room.
- No automatic: You’ll have to shift gears yourself.
For more on how the CNG stacks up, check reviews at CarDekho’s Altroz section.
The 1.5L Diesel: Segment-Only Offering for Highway Runners
The highlight for many is the 1.5L turbo diesel, putting out a solid 90 bhp and 200 Nm of torque. Unlike most rivals, Tata has kept the diesel alive, making it the only hatchback in its price range with this fuel option, as detailed in EVO India’s Altroz first drive.
Why pick diesel?
- Torque: Effortless highway cruising and easy overtaking, even with a full load.
- Efficiency: Returns excellent mileage on long trips.
- Perfect for: Commutes outside the city, frequent road-trippers, and fleet buyers.
What to watch out for:
- Turbo lag: There’s a slight delay before the power kicks in, especially at low speeds.
- Noise & vibration: Improved for 2025 but still more noticeable than petrol.
- Manual only: No automatic gearbox, so it’s not ideal for those who hate shifting gears in traffic.
Performance in the Real World: Refinement, Ride, and Practicality
How does the Altroz Facelift 2025 actually drive, and is it better than before or its competition? Let’s get real.
Compared to rivals like the Maruti Baleno, Hyundai i20, and Toyota Glanza, Altroz stands out for its planted ride, solid construction, and robust suspension. According to owners on Team-BHP’s detailed review, it rides much like a bigger car—stable at high speeds and calm over patchy roads.
Refinement and Comfort: Improvements and Lingering Issues
Tata has worked hard to make the cabin quieter by using new engine mounts and better insulation. There’s less vibration at idle, especially in the petrol and CNG models. The diesel is quieter too, but you’ll still hear it when you push hard.
Cabin quality:
The dashboard and seats feel more premium, and the ride is softer over speed breakers. Still, some switchgear and plastic parts could look and feel better. Tata’s made progress, but there’s room to improve the finish.
Handling, Ride Quality, and Safety: Altroz On The Move
- Suspension: Tuned to absorb potholes without feeling floaty or bouncy.
- Steering: Light at city speeds, heavier on highways for confidence.
- Brakes: Strong, with good pedal feel.
Safety: The Altroz has built its reputation on safety, with a robust platform and expected to retain solid NCAP scores. All variants now get 6 airbags and improved structural rigidity as standard.
City and Highway Usability: Which Engine Delivers for Your Needs?
Let’s match engines to use cases:
City-focused buyers:
- Petrol (DCT/AMT): Best for traffic, occasional highway trips, and new drivers.
- CNG: Top choice for those who value low running costs and mostly drive in the city.
Highway or mixed-use:
- Diesel: Perfect for long-distance commuters, highway users, families who travel, or fleet/taxi use. It’s the only diesel left in this segment.
Competitive gaps:
- The Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20 offer smoother petrol automatics.
- If you want a sportier or more refined automatic, these rivals might edge ahead, but they lack a diesel offering.
Conclusion
The Tata Altroz Facelift 2025 builds on its reputation for safety, space, and genuine value, while offering more engine choices than any other hatchback in its class. The petrol is easy to live with and now friendlier for city use, the CNG is unbeatable for savings, and the diesel is a rare gem for highways.
Pick the petrol if you drive mostly in the city and want automation.
Choose CNG if you need the lowest running costs.
Go diesel if you run long distances or need torque and efficiency.
The Altroz isn’t perfect—some plastics could be better, and the automatics aren’t the sportiest—but it’s a practical, safe, and stylish hatchback that gives you honest variety. Take a test drive, think about your daily drive, and you’ll find an Altroz that fits.
Read also.
