Fast Facts
| Features | Details |
| Vehicle Type | Budget Entry Level Hatchback |
| Engine | 1.2-litre Revotron 3 Cylinder Petrol |
| Power | 63 kW |
| Torque | 113 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | 5.0l /100km |
| Tested Fuel Consumption | 5.8l /100km |
| Price as tested | from R209 900 |
| Safety features | 2 airbags, Hill hold control, ABS, EBD, ESP, ISOFIX |
| Service plan and warranty | 2-year/30 000km , 5-year /125 000km |
Pros
- Frugal powertrain
- When it's up and going, the Tiago maintains its speed well
- Decent audio system for the price
- Cute and sharp styling
- Decent safety ratings
Cons
- Clutch pedal feel is not great
- Steering and handling are vague
- The light grey interior is susceptible to scratches and dirt
- It feels dated
The budget entry-level hatchback segment welcomes its latest contender. The Tiago is Tata's successor to the Bolt, which found favour in the South African market before Tata's exit from the passenger car market. The Bolt wasn't a shabby vehicle, and it left some shoes to fill for the Tiago. Keep in mind, though, that the first Tiago was launched in 2016. We had the Tiago in 1.2 XT manual trim, which is the mid-spec variant in this range.
Styling
When one looks at this diminutive vehicle, it's youthfully styled, with cute proportions and some sporty elements. The sporty elements include a sharp sharknose front fascia with a strong tip and a gloss-black rear spoiler. Along the side, there are some sharp body creases and contours with the rear door's window kinking up for a nice design cue. Also, you'll find 14-inch steel wheels with dual-tone hub caps. In the rear, it's fairly tame if not generic. One thing I quite liked is the Ocean Blue body colour. It's a lovely colour that suits the Tiago well, and it stands out in the sunlight.
Space and Comfort
Though petite, the Tiago on the space front is not too shabby. The headroom is ample, and the shoulder room is fine. As far as the interior layout goes, it is familiar enough, but it feels dated, and some considerations need to be made. For example, the placement of the centre console cupholders interferes with the gear stick. The light grey motif is lovely to look at, but it started picking up some dirt during our tenure, and the plastics are susceptible to scratches. The seating isn't the most comfortable for South African bodies, as we are on the bigger end. The steering wheel, while novel in design, isn't ergonomic to hold in the 9-3 position, as that's where I typically rest my hands; the gloss rectangular piece doesn't serve as a nice resting place for the palms. The fit and finish of this cabin, unfortunately, isn't the best, with noticeably larger trim gaps and casting marks showing up, even on the steering wheel, where your fingers run along the rear. You'll feel them; they aren't pleasant. The instrument cluster isn't the most legible, as the light grey text sits amid the white gauge meters.
The Harman audio system, complete with a 7.0-inch touchscreen and the usual modern smartphone connectivity, is pretty decent. If anything, it's one of the best audio systems in this range with good clarity and punch. The punch may be a bit too much, though, because in the higher volumes, I noticed some rattling from the passenger door card. Perhaps my music may be a bit too strong. A point of praise, though, is that the Tiago's cabin is well insulated; even on highway speeds, it's one of the quieter vehicles in this range. The boot area has 242 litres of space for you to play with, and the rear bench folds down too, but I long for some straps for the parcel shelf to keep it up while loading and unloading items.
Performance
Propelling the Tiago is the 1.2-litre Revotron 3-cylinder petrol engine making 63 kW and 113 Nm. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Remember, this is all housed in a 980kg kerb weight shell.
The Drive
The lightweight shell of the Tiago, paired with the Revotron powertrain, gives it a mellow stride. The Revotron engine isn't particularly revvy, but when it gets up and going, along with the 5-speed, it's pretty decent at maintaining speed, with the occasional gear down for hills. Less so are the feel of the clutch pedal, steering feel, and handling. The clutch pedal is extremely light but doesn't provide enough feedback at its biting points, which learners and new drivers may find tricky. The steering feel is disconnected and vague, which hurts what is pretty decent for the range struts. This, in turn, hurts the overall handling because the chassis itself isn't bad. The ride quality of the Tiago is okay; it errs on the firmer side as it's harder sprung, but it won't rattle your teeth out. The Tiago behaved decently enough in urban areas and on the open road, but some revisions could make it even sweeter.
Fuel Consumption
Tata claims the average fuel consumption for the Tiago is 5.0L/100km; we managed a best average of 5.8L/100km. It's a frugal car indeed.
Safety
Global NCAP Ratings
Adult: ★★★★☆
Child: ★★★☆☆
Notable safety equipment:
- Twin Airbags
- ABS, EBD, ESP
- Hill-Hold Assist
- Rear parking sensors
- Rear camera with parking guidance (XT models only)
Price
| Model | Pricing |
| Tata Tiago 1.2 XM | from R189 900 |
| Tata Tiago 1.2 XT Manual (tested) | from R209 900 |
| Tata Tiago 1.2 XT Auto | from R224 900 |
| Tata Tiago 1.2 XZ | *Set to launch later, not available at the time of publishing. |
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice. The pricing shown here is base pricing.
Rivals
- Suzuki Swift
- Suzuki S-Presso
- Renault Kwid
- Toyota Vitz
- Hyundai Grand i10
- Kia Picanto
The Verdict
It's nice to see Tata innovating more, and their re-entry into the South African market is welcome. The Tiago, unfortunately, misses the mark in many areas; the key thing here is that it is dated. The vehicle was launched in 2016, received its first facelift in 2020, and its second in 2025. Some of you may feel I have dug into the Tiago unfairly, given its price point. Still, when you consider the Tiago's rivals, namely the Suzuki Swift and Kia Picanto, which, in my opinion, have gotten the budget car formula right, it highlights the Tiago's shortcomings. Should that deter you from test-driving a Tiago? No, but it's critical to take note of these things so when you make that big-ticket decision to shell out money for a car, your choice is well-informed.
