This review covers Tata Tiago CNG on road range, performance in hills & comparison to petrol, NVH, CNG specific safety features and more details. Detailed review of Tigor CNG will also go live soon.
Pros:
Cons
Tata Motors have launched CNG option in Tiago and Tigor. Thanks to rising fuel prices, CNG variants have been quite in demand and Hyundai have already witnessed surge in demand for its small hatchback and sedan with the availability of CNG variants.
Tiago CNG comes in 4 variants – XE (Base), XM, XT and XZ+ (Top) and Tigor CNG in 2 trims – XZ and XZ+.
This isn’t a new car although there are certain updates like projector headlamps, LED DRLs, chrome finish on front grille, door handles and on the tailgate. There is new Midnight Plum colour added to range as well.
While for top end XZ+ variant in petrol, there are 15-inch wheels while if you opt for CNG trim, these are 14-inch tyres.
| Maruti Swift | Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS | Tata Tiago | |
| Length | 3840 mm | 3805 mm | 3765 mm |
| Width | 1735 mm | 1680 mm | 1677 mm |
| Height | 1530 mm | 1520 mm | 1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm | 2450 mm | 2400 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 163 mm | 165 mm | 170 mm (Petrol), 168 mm (CNG) |
| Turning Radius | 4.8 m | 4.8 m | 4.9 m |
| Boot Space | 268 L | 260 L | 242 L (Petrol), 80 L (CNG) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 37 L | 37 L | 35 L (Petrol), 60 L (CNG) |
| Kerb Weight | 855 – 880 Kg | 895 kg | 935 – 1,087 kg |
Boot Space after CNG tank in Tiago is 80 L while standard variants cargo space can hold upto 242 L of luggage and other stuff.
While on the inside, we now get dual tone black and beige theme. Apart from this, CNG variants do get option to switch from petrol to CNG and vice versa.
The similar dashboard layout is carry forwarded. Storage spaces are aplomb. Instrument cluster is a digital unit and infotainment system comes loaded with android auto, apple CarPlay, 8 speakers among others.
First of all, gap between the pedals is perfect and dead pedal is of pretty good size. Front seats holds you very well and easily more comfortable than Grand i10 NIOS.
Window line is perfectly placed. You get a good view and sit much higher. There is enough legroom while tall passengers would be comfy in the 2nd row as well. Only thing is that there could have been adjustable headrest for the rear seats.
Tata Motors have introduced number of safety features with their CNG variants to ensure complete peace of mind which includes:
1 Micro Switch: If the fuel lid is open, it switches off the ignition and won’t allow the car to start until lid is completely closed, with “Close Fuel Lid’ reminder in instrument cluster
2 Thermal Incident Protection: The iCNG technology is quite smart and immediately cuts off CNG supply to engine in case of thermal incident and release remaining gas from tubes directly into atmosphere via a special nozzle.
3 Leak Detection Feature: In case of gas leak, iCNG technology automatically switches from CNG to petrol and protects the car and passengers from any harm.
| CNG | Maruti Swift | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Tata Tiago |
| Engine | – | 1.2 L Petrol-CNG Bi-Fuel | 1.2 L Petrol-CNG Bi-Fuel |
| Capacity | – | 1197 cc | 1199 cc |
| No. Of Cylinders | – | 4 | 3 |
| Power | – | 68 BHP | 72 BHP |
| Torque | – | 95 NM | 95 NM |
| Transmission | – | 5 Speed MT | 5 Speed MT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 28.40 km/kg | 26.49 km/kg |
As of now Grand i10 NIOS & Tiago comes with CNG option while we can expect Maruti to soon join as well. The torque of 95 NM is produced by both these hatchbacks but in terms of power, Tiago is more powerful. Grand i10 NIOS is close to 2 km/kg more fuel efficient than Tiago.
| Tiago Petrol | Tiago CNG | |
| Engine | 1.2 L 3 cylinder Petrol | 1.2 L 3 cylinder Petrol-CNG Bi-Fuel |
| Capacity | 1199 cc | 1199 cc |
| Power | 85 BHP | 72 BHP |
| Torque | 113 NM | 95 NM |
| Transmission | 5 Speed MT / 5 Speed AMT | 5 Speed MT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 20.09 kmpl | 26.49 km/kg |
In the CNG mode, Tiago makes 13 BHP and 18 NM less than what is churns out in petrol mode.
We can even start the car directly in CNG mode and also it automatically switches from CNG to Petrol mode in case of low CNG. You will get ‘CNG Low Fuel’ alert in instrument cluster. In CNG mode, instrument cluster doesn’t display fuel economy.
While driving Tiago, bonnet is not visible. ORVMs are humongous and IRVM provides wider view as well. Gear shifts are smooth and have short throw. Rubber type material here provides good grip. Clutch is also setup on lighter side.
Since it’s a 3 cylinder engine, NVH levels gets slightly higher as you move to higher RPMs. There is bit of vibration at standstill while in running it fades away.
We drove in both CNG and petrol mode and the difference between performance in both these modes is quite less. It offers good pull lower down and even we did uphill in CNG mode, it pulled off the job with ease.
Steering wheel remains light at low city speeds and gains heft as the speed increases providing you enough confidence behind the wheel.
Brakes of Tiago are very sharp and offers good bite as well. The suspension has been tuned towards slightly firmer side although it handles most of the rough patches of the tarmac with ease. Even at triple digit speeds, it feels quite solid and pliant. While cornering, the hatchback has minimum body roll.
Best part of Tiago and Tigor CNG is availability in variety of variants. Although NVH levels are just a bit on higher side but at the same time, power delivery difference is very less in petrol and CNG mode. Along with all the positive aspects, it is complemented by 4 star safety rating which is paramount.
| 1.2 Petrol MT / AMT | CNG | |
| XE | Rs 5.23 L | Rs 6.13 L |
| XM | – | Rs 6.43 L |
| XT (O) | Rs 5.68 L | – |
| XT | Rs 5.83 L / Rs 6.38 L | Rs 6.73 L |
| XZ | Rs 6.23 L / Rs 6.78 L | – |
| XZ+ | Rs 6.66 L / Rs 7.21 L | Rs 7.56 L |
| XZ+ Dual Tone | Rs 6.78 L. / Rs 7.33 L | Rs 7.68 L |
Also Read: Tata Punch 1.2 Petrol MT Review