Tata Tigor CNG review, first drive

The Tata Tigor CNG promises lower running costs in a package that does not make buyers compromise on convenience features with it being available in fully-loaded top-end trims. Our Tata Tigor CNG review tells you what the new variant brings to the table and what it takes away from it.

When it comes to reducing tailpipe emissions and lowering running costs, the buzzword seems to be electric. While electric vehicles might be the future of mobility, there is another alternative that has been around for quite some time now. Over the years, CNG has primarily been associated with the commercial vehicle segment and although there are options for private car buyers as well, these require a certain degree of compromise specifically in terms of features since CNG variants in most cases are restricted to lower-end of mid-spec trims only. Tata has decided to address this issue with the launch of the Tigor CNG. Aside from offering lower running costs, the Tata Tigor CNG is also available in top-end XZ and XZ+ trims ensuring buyers looking for a car that’s easier on their pockets don’t have to compromise on convenience features.

Along with the launch of the CNG variant, Tata has also updated its sub-4m compact sedan and added a new range-topping XZ+ trim to the Tigor. There’s a new grille up front and a new Magnetic Red colour pictured here. Dual-tone treatment with a black roof and ORVMs is offered as well for Rs 12,000 extra. This trim features automatic headlamps with projector units, LED DRLs, fog lamps and LED inserts for the tail lamps. While the petrol Tigor gets 15-inch alloy wheels, the CNG variant comes with 14-inch steel rims with wheel covers that mimic the look of alloys. The only other differentiating element is the presence of an i-CNG badge on the boot lid.

The interiors get a black-beige treatment with renewed seat upholstery along with features like a 7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs and newly added rain-sensing wipers to name a few. Like the petrol variant, the Tigor CNG too gets a digital instrument panel but with minor tweaks. In addition to the fuel gauge for petrol, there’s one for CNG as well and there is a notification lamp to the left of the speedo that comes on when the vehicle is running on CNG. A button on the centre console under the screen lets the driver toggle between CNG and petrol modes. This along with the seamless integration of the CNG fuel gauge into the instrument panel, and the nozzle placed under the fuel filler cap ensure the addition of the CNG kit does not feel like an afterthought, something that will happen if an owner opts for an aftermarket kit.

Space within the cabin remains unchanged. As far as sub-4m compact sedans are concerned, there is ample knee room and headroom in the back along with comfortable front and rear seats. What has taken a hit, and a significant one at that, is the boot space. The 60-litre CNG tank has brought the volume down from 419 litres to 205 litres, with the useable space fit only for smaller pieces of luggage. Aside from the usual safety net of dual front airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors, etc. the CNG variant of the Tigor comes with added features like engine cut-off on opening the fuel filler cap. In addition to meeting Indian safety standards, the CNG kit complies with European safety standards as well.

In this CNG avatar, the 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated motor produces 73.4bhp and 95Nm, down by just under 13bhp and 18Nm compared to the petrol variant. A 5-speed manual is the sole transmission option. Lower power and torque outputs affect outright acceleration, but under regular use, within the city, the difference is barely noticeable. Most users will find the performance adequate and no reason to complain about the shift quality or the weight of the clutch.

Refinement isn’t at the same level as its rivals, but not a deal-breaker by any measure. The CNG kit adds around 100kg to the Tigor’s kerb weight warranting a suspension retune to negate the effect of that extra mass. Ground clearance is also down by 5mm to 165mm. In the real world, the difference between the petrol Tigor and its CNG counterpart is hardly discernable. Ride quality in general and even over bad roads is good and high-speed stability is fairly impressive as well. The Tigor strikes a nice balance between keeping its occupants comfortable and is one of the better-handling cars in its segment.

Tata is claiming a fuel efficiency of 26.49km/kg for the Tigor CNG. A 60-litre tank that should hold about 9 to 10kg of CNG along with a 35-litre petrol tank should translate to a real-world range of around 600km. That’s close to what one would get from a diesel vehicle. Over the last few months, the average price of CNG in Delhi has been around 50 rupees per kg which means a full tank will cost around 500 rupees. Assuming you manage to extract around 200km from a full tank then it translates to around less than Rs 3 per kilometre. To run the same distance the petrol variant is likely to cost around Rs 7 per kilometre. Following some mild number crunching, we’ve figured that if an owner averages 1,000km a month then they’d take around two years to recover the extra Rs 90,000 rupees they’d pay to get the CNG variant over the regular petrol one.