Tata’s new entry warrior Tiago will have rivals worried
No stranger to the South African market, Indian Tata returns following a few years hiatus after its previous effort. It enters a very different marketplace, however. Now overrun by often obscure Chinese carmakers with new brands seemingly popping up quite literally by the week, it’s not going to be easy, especially in the slightly more upmarket niches.
It may however be a slightly simpler task at the bottom end, which is surprisingly less affected by that Chinees affront. And where one of Tata’s first comeback cars has already started to play. This Tiago XT hatchback also picks up off a previous model, but it’s all-new, none the less.
Tata says safety is a Tiago strong suit
It’s not the cheapest car on the block, either. While this upmarket XT sells for R209K, you can get a Tiago XM for a hundred and eighty-five grand. Which compares to the 178K Renault Kwid and Toyota Vitz, and R188K Suzuki Celerio. You can also get a contentious R224K Hyundai Grand i10 or even a R228K Suzuki Swift within the Tiago’s price range.
So what sets this ‘game changing, affordable, sporty, stylish and feature-packed Indian apart, then? Well, the ‘contemporary, cutting-edge’ Tiago has a 4-star Global NCAP rating for starters. Among its rivals have none.
Tiago’s ‘sleek and bold’, fresh and modern sporty hatchback design certainly is contemporary. Neat automatic DRL smart LED headlamps, chrome accented foglamps and 15-inch face polished alloys set the style. The trendy dual-tone roof shark fin antenna and boomerang taillights simply add to the appeal.
The dual-tone cabin is well-equipped
3767 mm long and 1940 mm in wide, Tiago balances compact proportions and a comfortable interior with a handy 242 litre boot. The first thing you notice inside the well-equipped dual-tone cabin is the unique screen on the multifunction steering wheel’s hooter button. Although it only shows an illuminated logo.
It leaves the job of informing the driver to the regular fully digital tri-zone instrument cluster’s speedo, gauges and multi-info display. The driver’s seat also has height adjustment, by the way. To the left, in the centre, the wireless CarPlay and Auto rich 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment boasts both A and C type USB ports.
Real knobs control the audio and fully automatic climate control. Tiago also gets push button start, a HD digital reversing camera and cruise control too, in these premium variants. Hill hold control contributes to best-in-class 4-star safety that stretches from ABS with EBD and Electronic Stability Program to Tiago’s high-strength body structure.
1.2-litre Tiago petrol triple gets along
Powered by Tata’s 63 kW 113 Nm 1.2-litre Revotron petrol triple, this one had a five-speed manual transmission. Tiago also comes with a five speed automated manual box. Tata claims 5 litres per 100, while our tests mustered a steady 12.7 second sto 100 km/h, albeit with impressive elasticity.
The Toyota Vitz and Suzuki Celerio were a little quicker, but less responsive in our tests, and are claimed to be a little more economical. The Renault Kwid is quickest of all against a stopwatch, but equally elastic and economical to the Tata. Tiago rides on independent McPherson front twist beam rear suspension.
We were suitably impressed with Tata’s new entry effort. Tiago, not to be confused with Volkswagen’s Taigo, delivers well on its maker’s claims in a surprisingly stylish, reasonably refined and quite capable package that should have first time buyers scratching their heads a little more versus it’s obvious rivals. – Michele Lupini
Images & Data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Tata Tiago 1.2 XT
Engine: 63 kW 113 Nm 1.2-litre petrol I3
Drive: 5-speed manual FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 5.91 sec
0-100 km/h: 12.78 sec
0-120 km/h: 17.02 sec
400m: 18.6 sec @ 126 km/h
80-120 km/h: 8.38 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 165 km/h
Fuel: 5 l/100 km
CO2: 119 g/km
Range: 700 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 125K/2y 30K km
LIST PRICE: R209K
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