The more you see traffic on the road, the more you appreciate a small car. And that’s exactly how I feel about the Tata Tiago. Couple with the AMT gearbox, it the perfect combination for a city commuter. Two months so far with this car and I like it more each day.
While there’s a lot said already about the Tiago in terms of design and the way it looks, one amazing quality is how chuck able it is. Visibility all around is great and it has so far been the perfect car to go grocery shopping with my mom. She really likes the boot space that the car offers. The best part is the way you can squeeze into tight parking spots. The rear parking sensors also make themselves very handy. Another party trick is that the rear wiper turns on automatically when you are reversing and its raining at the same time. Dad has also liked the space in the rear commenting that it is fantastic for a car of that size. As for me the highlight is surely that Harman music system that is easily better than those seen in some cars from higher segments. Since I am a music buff and cant drive with music, a good sound system is a must have.
The 1.2 litre petrol engine has sufficient power to potter around town but doesn’t like to be revved hard. Driving with a light foot around 1500- 1700 rpm is the best way to drive the Tiago. Fuel efficiency has been hovering around 11-12 kpl in city driving. The creep function of the AMT box though useful, tends to accelerate rather quickly instead of a normal creep and one needs to be alert at all times. Also there is a lot of vibration from the engine when accelerate from a standstill on an incline.
What I also like about the Tiago is the ride quality. The Mumbai monsoon has brought with it potholes and broken roads which is a regular feature now. However, the Tiago handled all the undulations and ‘no’ roads without a hassle and there hasn’t been a bad thud moment so far. High speed stability is also good.
It has been smooth sailing with the Tiago AMT so far with zero issues, except a flat tyre on one occasion. It also got a well deserved foam wash along with an interior cleaning session this month. I have been loving my time with this little car so far and definitely feels like a superb value for money package. More to come later. Till then, signing off.
