Tata Tiago AMT Review

Overview

Tata Motors believes AMT will play a key role in the company’s growth over the coming years. It launched the Tiago AMT in March to this effect. The company claims 15 percent of all bookings made have so far been for the AMT variant and the recent introduction of the cheaper XTA trim will only add to that. So, has the addition of the AMT helped the Tiago in its quest to become the perfect city car? We spent a few days with a Berry Red Tata Tiago XTA, now let's figure out the answer through this Tata Tiago AMT Review.

What does it look like?

The only telling difference is the ‘A’ suffix added to the trim badge on the boot lid to signify its clutch-(pedal)-less credentials. Penned by Pratap Bose led design team based on the IMPACT design philosophy, the Tiago AMT has the same extremely likeable exterior as its manual cousin. The XZA trim gets all the features of the XZ trim including 14-inch alloy wheels, body coloured door handles, body colour ORVMs with integrated LED turn indicators and chrome garnish around the fog lamps.

The cabin tells a similar story. It mirrors the manual ZX variant in every way. Except, of course, for the new gear selector, which is identical to the one in AMT variants of the Nano. Another minor difference is the missing ‘Eco’ mode from the row of buttons right below the audio unit. Instead of ‘Eco’ mode, the car offers ‘Sport’ mode that can be toggled via a button placed just behind the gear selector. In its fully loaded trim, the Tiago gets a 2-DIN Harman sourced audio unit with an 8-speaker setup along with ConnectNext app suite and navigation support. You also get manual air conditioning, steering mounted audio and telephone controls, electrically adjustable ORVMs and body colour interior trim.

Also read: Tata Altroz - First Drive Review [Video]

What’s it like to Drive?

The primary objective of the Tata Tiago AMT is to ease your daily commute through jammed streets without burning a big hole in your pocket. And we’re happy to report that the car is quite adept at doing that. Driving with a light foot elicits timely upshifts from the Magnetti Marelli sourced 5-speed unit. However, the gearbox seems a bit hesitant when it comes to downshifting, but nothing that can’t be solved with a bit more throttle input. The 5-speed AMT is happy to drop a gear or two when you want to get a move on for a quick overtake but acts a bit lethargic while doing so. There’s always manual mode which lets you take charge of gear changes. The gear change indicator in the instrument console relays information regarding optimal gearshifts.

In the ‘Sport’ mode, the AMT holds on to gears a wee bit longer to let the revs build up. It adds a touch of sportiness to the driving experience. The ‘box offers creep function as well that ensures the car crawls forward without any throttle input in slow moving traffic. However, issues inherent to AMTs remain. Take off from standstill is a bit jerky and the transmission feels nowhere as refined as a torque converter or a CVT. That said, the positives viz. low running costs and relatively low sticker price far outweigh this demerit.

Also read: Detailed review of the Tiago’s performance and ride and handling characteristics

Should I buy one?

At around 50,000 Rupees more than the similarly specced manual variant, the Tata Tiago AMT makes sense. A real world fuel efficiency of around 15-16 km/l, depending on the driving style, of course, means it is a straight forward choice if you drive in the city. The Tiago looks good, offers a light, easy to use steering wheel and decent ride quality. The 1.2 L Revotron unit powering the hatchback helps it score over its rivals in power and torque output.

Sure, it does not have the best AMT unit we have experienced so far, but all things considered, the Tata Tiago AMT makes for a rather compelling buy in the segment.

Also read: Tata Nexon EV Review - Test Drive Review [Video]

Tata Tiago AMT Review – Specifications

Tata Tiago AMT Review Price List

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