7 Features That The Upcoming Tata Alroz Facelift Will Have Over The Maruti Baleno
Tata Motors is preparing to launch the facelifted Altroz in the Indian market. With days left for its market entry, Tata Motors has already revealed the features and powertrain details of the Altroz. It seems to have a clear upper hand over the Maruti Baleno, one of its key rivals. Let's go through seven features that the facelifted Altroz will have, but not the outgoing Baleno. Before we delve in, it should be noted that the Baleno itself is due for an update, which could fix many of its shortcomings that we mention in this article.
Bigger Infotainment Touchscreen
The Baleno comes with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offers support for wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The facelifted Altroz will get a much bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen. It will offer wireless Carplay and Android Auto as well. This will, however, be available on the higher variants alone (upwards of the Creative variant). The lower ones will feature a smaller 7-inch screen.
A Fully Digital Driver's Display
The new Altroz will come with a fully digital instrument cluster. A large 10.25-inch screen does duty as the driver information display. In addition to regular trip data, it will even offer integrated navigation directions.
The Baleno, on the other hand, comes with a rather old-school instrument cluster. It comes with analogue dials and a coloured multi-information display (MID) at the centre. The scope and appeal of this cluster are definitely less than those of the Altroz's.
A Sunroof
Sunroof is becoming a popular ask among car buyers in India. The 2025 Altroz will offer sunroof on all variants starting from 'Pure'. Unlike what you see on larger vehicles, this will not be a panoramic sunroof, a single-pane unit instead. It will even have voice-control function. The outgoing Baleno doesn't offer a sunroof on any of its variants.
Wireless Smartphone Charger
The facelifted Altroz will have a wireless charging pad on offer. It will be available in higher-spec variants, intended for use by the front occupants. You don't get this feature on any variant of the Baleno, even though it comes with Type-A and Type-C USB fast charging ports at both the front and rear.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting can help set the right mood during your drives. The pre-facelift Altroz used to come with an ambient lighting setup which was more modest. The new car, will have a more advanced ambient lighting setup with more pleasant lighting and colours.
Maruti Baleno shies away from offering ambient lighting and comes with just footwell lighting for the front occupants. This setup isn't as good as an ambient lighting package in most cases.
Air Purifier
The Baleno isn't equipped with a cabin air purifier. The Altroz facelift will, however, come with a cabin air purifier which is now being sought after by many.
Six Standard Airbags!
Seventh in this list is the six airbags suite! The Altroz has always symbolised safety and crashworthiness. Airbags play a key role in ensuring safety. The new hatchback will come equipped with six airbags in all variants. The Baleno gets six airbags only in the higher-spec variants. The other trims come with just dual front airbags.
More About The Altroz Facelift
In addition to ones discussed above, the feature list on the Altroz will also include the likes of a 360 camera, auto AC with rear vents, push-button start/stop, cruise control and auto-folding ORVMs, most of which can be found on the Baleno as well.
The new Altroz is known to host no changes in its powertrain choices. It will feature the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. There will likely be a factory-fitted CNG version as well. The 1.2L turbocharged petrol that churns out 120 hp will likely remain limited to the Racer variant alone.