After updating the Tiago earlier this year, Tata Motors has turned its attention to the Tigor—with a new identity to accompany the changes. Now called Aeris, Tata’s only sedan gets revised styling, a redesigned cabin and additional features as it looks to strengthen its position in the compact sedan segment.
But how much has changed beyond the name and appearance? We drove the petrol and CNG versions of the Tata Aeris in and around Faridabad, NCR, to assess its comfort, performance, practicality and overall appeal.
Tata Aeris Review
The new Tata Aeris starts at Rs 5.29 lakh for petrol variants and Rs 6.29 lakh for the i-CNG range. This gives it a competitive entry point against segment leader Maruti Dzire, which starts at Rs 6.31 lakh for petrol and Rs 8.18 lakh for S-CNG. All prices are ex-showroom.
At these starting prices, the Aeris undercuts the Dzire by Rs 1.02 lakh for petrol and Rs 1.89 lakh for CNG. These are base-variant comparisons, so buyers should also consider differences in equipment. Tata has stated that it will not introduce a dedicated taxi version of the Aeris, while Maruti offers the Dzire-based Tour S for commercial buyers. The lower starting prices give the Aeris a clear affordability advantage, particularly for those considering CNG.
New Design & Aesthetics
Tigor was Tata’s only sedan and that mantle is now carried by Tata Aeris. It is still the same coupe-shaped sub 4m sedan that we know, but Tata designers have done a splendid job of slapping new Tiago’s face on to Tigor and creating Aeris. Those vertical fang-like elements in Tiago facelift are gone in Aeris, replaced by C-shaped elements creating a much more pleasing aesthetic.
New grille with gloss Black insert, new LED head lights with DRLs, LED fog lights with cornering function, sporty bumper, Black roof and ORVMs, chrome door handles, new LED tail lights with connecting LED ribs in the middle, wide high-mount stop light and C-shaped elements in rear bumper look quite nice. Special mention goes to the 15-inch alloy wheel design and the new launch colour Dandeli Drizzle, is stunning and praise worthy.
All-New Cabin
On the inside, Tata Aeris is an extension of new Tiago and it is not a bad thing at all. We liked the way Aeris’ interiors are laid out. We get lighter shades on the inside for an airy feel and new dashboard and door trims get fabric inserts. Dashboard is dominated by the 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Instrument cluster is a rectangular LCD unit which looks nice.
Steering is new and it has a Tata logo on it and paddle shifters in AMT. Steering controls and climate controls are something we have seen with other Tata vehicles. New power window controls are confusing and not intuitive as they’re inverted, but owners will probably get used to it. Single-zone auto climate control worked well and chilled the cabin quite nicely. New centre console has a wireless charging pad and new gear selectors for both MT and AMT variants.
Semi leatherette seat upholstery is of good quality and front seats are ventilated too. Seat ventilation worked quite well. We wished the front seats could offer better shoulder support for taller occupants. Front centre armrest was nice to have for comfort and genuinely useful are 65W USB-C ports at the front and rear, something even much more premium vehicles do not offer. 360-degree camera is new and it has good resolution and clear visuals with 3D view.
Rear seats get decent space, but headrests are fixed and not adjustable. However, these fixed headrests were tall enough to accommodate my 6-foot frame. Rear centre armrest along with rear AC vents are genuinely useful. Added under-thigh support at front and rear is appreciated. Boot space is the same as before and i-CNG’s boot can even accommodate my check-in suitcase, which none of the rival CNG sedans do, thanks to external hinges instead of swan-neck ones.
Powertrains & Driving Dynamics
Powertrains and driving dynamics are something that remains the same as Tigor. Tata Aeris retains the same 1.2L 3-cylinder engine as before that is offered in both Petrol and Petrol + CNG bi-fuel options. This engine is thrummy and has a lot of vibrations that creep up inside the cabin too. We have seen much smoother 3-cylinder engines and Tata could have achieved better NVH.
Performance is adequate for this price point and segment. This engine can be peppy if you work the gears and the new manual gear selector has nice slick shifts and short throws, which we also saw with Tiago. AMT variants get a new circular e-shifter which has hard stops at either ends and it worked precisely too. i-CNG version still has CNG start, but it does not feel as peppy when driven on CNG.
The ride quality of Tata Aeris is something that left us impressed as there was decent bump absorption even at medium to higher speeds. Ground clearance is decent and we didn’t bottom out anywhere around Faridabad. There is some body roll with Tata Aeris and you can observe some nose dive when braking, but it is nothing bothersome. Braking performance is also quite decent for this price and segment.
It holds a line quite well and instills confidence in the driver. Clutch pedal in the manual is quite easy to operate and the bite point is predictable. Shifts at high speeds are smooth too. Steering response is something that could have been improved as steering wheel in both Petrol and CNG variants we tested, was not centered. There was some dead-centre effect with this steering wheel too, which did not feel direct and proportional to steering inputs.
Should You Buy One?
The Tata Aeris makes a strong case with its competitive pricing, comfortable ride, useful cabin features and practical CNG boot. Its updated styling and interior also give buyers more reasons to consider it. However, engine refinement remains a weakness, while the fit and finish of our test car fell short of expectations.
Buyers prioritising comfort, equipment and luggage space should shortlist it, particularly in CNG form. But the panel gaps, rough trim edges and stuck passenger headrest we encountered warrant careful inspection of the individual car before delivery. Better attention to assembly quality would make this a much easier recommendation.
