Tata Tigor iCNG AMT review - the competition ends here?

CNG? With an automatic transmission? I was just as shocked when Tata told us that the Tigor (and Tiago) CNG, will now also have an AMT to choose from. The little twins from Tata Motors have been doing relatively decent in terms of sales, keeping in mind they both also come with EV options, but we would be lying if we said that we saw this coming from a mile away. So does this mean that the homegrown brand has killed off the competition in this space by offering CNG customers a respite for their left foot? There was only one way to find out and we did just that.

Design

Let's get the design aspect out of the way real quick. The Tigor looks very Tigor-like since we first saw the car in 2017. The car looks extremely fresh for 2024 with a very muscular yet adorable stance. The chrome strip that runs the whole width of the car at the front as well as the bits in the grille gives you a sense that the Tigor has matured a lot over its 6 year long run.

This 'Meteor Bronze' colour though might not be for everyone. Personally, I would've preferred a more brighter and lively colour. The rear profile of the car still has to be the best that one has seen on a sub-4 metre sedan though. The character lines and rising waistline from the side actually accentuates the rear of the car to look more appealable rather than conventional. The 'iCNG' badge on the boot lid is probably the only way to tell the car apart from its completely petrol-oriented twin.

Interior & Features

On the inside, things are pretty neat as well. The light and dark dual-tone theme on the inside works brilliantly in favour of the Tigor giving it a very welcoming feeling every time you hop in. The use of hard buttons and not overuse of switches translate to the driver knowing where every function key is and not having to look twice to confirm. Even switching from petrol to CNG is just one button on the centre console. The 7-inch infotainment continues to show its age and more so than ever because of the newer systems on Tata's latest models. Nevertheless, the system works pretty well though and you won't have too many complaints with it in the long run. Apple Carplay and Android Auto although wired, make it easier to live with the Tigor.

Coming to the shifter for the AMT gearbox, although very premium, the sheer size of it might make it look off-putting to some and we even wished the markings on it were slightly more prominent. I will give Tata points for the integration of USB type A and type C outlets, which doesn't make you think twice as to which cable you have to carry along for the drive. The partially digital instrument cluster is bright and everything seems easily visible, but once again, it too is starting to show its age with its pre-2020 graphics.

The features list too is pretty well thought out. Automatic projector headlamps, push-button start, automatic climate controls, auto fold ORVMs, steering mounted controls and TPMS. The safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, corner stability control, ISOFIX points, seat belt reminder and 3-point seat belts for all seats. The Tigor CNG gets Tata's

Driving

Finally coming to what we're all here for. The Tigor's 5-speed AMT has always seemed a little choppy on the move, especially during getting off its mark. This makes driving in the city a little tedious because you have to regulate the two pedals a bit more than you would wish to. The same case continues with the automatic transmission in this CNG model. That's only the case when you're manoeuvring through traffic in the city. Out on the highway, it's a different story.

The 1.2-litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder continues to do duty in the Tigor CNG. So overtaking on open roads couldn't be more effortless in this segment. Surprisingly this transmission doesn't take too long to figure out which gear it needs to pick when you put your foot down. That 73.4PS and 95Nm are only accessible higher up in the rev range but even in the lower end, the car doesn't feel underpowered by any means which caught me off guard as you have that added weight of the twin CNG cylinders under the boot floor. 

The suspension setup of the Tigor does a fairly good job of ironing out the bumps and undulations. Like most of Tata's products, it takes on speed breakers and potholes with great ease and minimal jitters sent through the car while taking on harsh surfaces. The car also feels rooted and steady at higher speeds when taking on bends. The electric power steering is light enough to manoeuvre through narrow roads and tiny parking spaces while maintaining appropriate weight at high speeds.

The Tata Tigor CNG with the AMT returned 22.14km/kg when we tested it out. However, these aren't the exact figures based on our extensive road test for highway and city driving. Those figures will follow at a later date.

Verdict

So does this make the CNG AMT a compelling buy over the manual option? With prices for the Tiago CNG AMT starting from Rs 7.90 lakh to Rs 8.90 lakh and the Tigor CNG AMT starting from Rs 8.85 lakh to Rs 9.55 lakh, this automatic transmission commands about Rs 60,000 over its manual siblings. We think it's worth paying that extra buck for a more stress-free everyday commute. The value-for-money factor does lean more in favour of the Tigor and you would have a little more satisfaction in life with the ease of an automatic transmission.

Also Read:

New Tata Tiago, Tigor iCNG AMT launched; prices start at Rs 7.90 lakh