Tata Motors has created another winner with the introduction of the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT.
The Indian automotive giant just unveiled a compact sedan that should be a serious contender in the sub-₹8 lakh category. We have driven the vehicle, and we can say that the Tata Aeris is fresh out of the box yet familiar with what the market needs. The car is a completely revised version of the Tigor that packs in a host of changes in both, the design and the interior. In this review, we take a detailed look at the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT and give you our thoughts on this new addition to Tata Motors’ stables.
The engine: A familiar face with a new twist
Tata Aeris iCNG AMT comes with a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, naturally-aspirated, Revotron petrol engine, which makes 76 HP and 97 Nm of torque in CNG form. Interestingly, these power stats are the same as the outgoing Tigor’s iCNG figure.
The biggest change in the Tata aeris iCNg AMT variant is the introduction of a 5-speed AMT gearbox. It’s a first for the Aeris (and previously the Tigor) in this fuel category, making it one of the few CNG cars to come with an automatic transmission.
The 5-speed AMT is pretty good but comes with the usual lag while shifting up under heavy acceleration.
However, the AMT does have a creep function that makes it easier to drive around in traffic.
There is also a manual mode to switch to when you need to overtake or go down a steep gradient.
Power and performance:
0-100 km/h – 14-15 seconds (approx)
Top speed – 140 km/h (petrol), lesser in CNG
Mileage – 26-28 km/kg (CNG)
The design: The new face of Tata Aeris
The Tata Aeris has adopted the Tigor’s front grille design that uses a mesh pattern, flanked by LED DRLs and projector headlights in higher-spec variants, The bumper gets new air vents and fog lamps. The side profile remains mostly unchanged with the 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds, and C-pillar kink to give the car a sense of motion.
The tail lamps get a new light guide pattern, and the boot lid gets a subtle spoiler. The 419-litre boot is among the segment’s largest, but the CNG cylinder eats into the luggage space by around 60-70 litres.
The interior: New and improved!
Inside the cockpit, the Tata Aeris offers a vastly improved cabin over the Tigor, featuring Tata’s latest OpenView design language with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice command recognition, and over-the-air updates.
It also gets a 7-inch digital instrument cluster that displays speed, fuel level, and other driving information. The highlight of the interior is the ventilated front seats, a first for the segment, which proved extremely comfortable on a summer day. The rear seats also get AC vents, a wireless phone charger, two 65W USB-C fast chargers, cruise control, and a 360-degree camera with a dashcam recorder, a unique offering in this segment.
Also, the car features iRA connected car technology with over 35 connected features. The cabin is beautifully trimmed with soft-touch plastic around the dash and door panels. The car also gets AeroLux leatherette seats that feel very good to the touch.
The Safety: A host of 6 airbags!
Being a Tata Motors product, the Aeris comes with a number of advanced safety features.
As standard, the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT offers 6 airbags (front, side, curtain), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Assist, Rear Parking Sensors and Camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and 3-point seatbelts with reminders on all seats.
We expect the car to score a 4 or 5-star Global NCAP crash safety rating when tested.
Variants and pricing:
The Tata Aeris iCNG AMT will be available in a variety of specifications with the entry-level variant priced at Rs. 6.29 lakh and the top-spec model priced at Rs. 8.50 lakh (ex-showroom). Here is a list of the major variants:
Smart iCNG – Entry-level variant with manual gearbox only
Pure iCNG – Mid-variant with the option of AMT gearbox
Pure+ iCNG – Adds ventilated front seats, wireless phone charger, and other luxury features
Accomplished iCNG AMT – Top-spec variant with all the bells and whistles
The competition
The Tata Aeris iCNG AMT will have to fight it out against the likes of the Hyundai Exter CNG, Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG, and Honda Amaze CNG in the segment. While the Exter CNG is a sportier hatchback, the Dzire and Amaze are direct competitors to the Aeris in the compact sedan category.
Compared to the Exter CNG, the Aeris gets more features and a larger boot. The Aeris also offers better safety with 6 airbags compared to the Exter’s 2 airbags.
Compared to the Dzire CNG, the Aeris offers a more premium cabin with ventilated seats, cruise control, and a 360-degree camera. The Aeris also has a larger engine and offers better safety with 6 airbags compared to the Dzire’s 2 airbags.
Compared to the Amaze CNG, the Aeris is more affordable and offers an AMT gearbox option which the Amaze CNG does not have.
Should you buy the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT?
The Tata Aeris iCNG AMT is not a huge departure from the Tigor, but it manages to feel fresh with new features that make it one of the most complete small sedans in the country.
Buying the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT If:
You are looking for a feature-packed sedan under ₹8 lakh and cannot go beyond that.
You want the convenience of an automatic transmission with a CNG car.
Safety is a priority for you, and you want the latest safety features in your car.
You value comfort and convenience features like ventilated seats, cruise control, and a 360-degree camera.
Not Buying the Tata Aeris iCNG AMT If:
You are looking for a punchy performance and do not mind spending more on a petrol engine.
You are looking for a torque converter automatic transmission in a CNG car.
You need maximum boot space and are put off by the fact that the CNG cylinder reduces the boot space by about 60-70-litres.
The Tata Aeris iCNG AMT is a great buy for the budget-conscious buyer looking for a safe and comfortable family sedan. It offers a host of features at an attractive price and should be a serious contender in the compact sedan category.
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