6 Features That The Upcoming Tata Altroz Facelift Over The Hyundai i20
The i20 has always remained one of the strongest rivals of the Tata Altroz. Early in the race, the winds were mostly in favour of the i20, as it had a clear upper hand over the Altroz on multiple fronts. In 2025, when Tata Motors is set to launch the facelift, the landscape seems to have evolved a lot. The new Altroz will come with a bunch of features that the i20 doesn't offer. Plus, the retirement of the much-loved diesel powertrain has also let the i20 vulnerable. Below are six key areas in which the new Altroz could have an upper hand over the i20...
All-Digital Instrument Cluster
The facelifted Altroz will feature a fully digital instrument cluster. It will be a large, 10.25-inch single-piece HD, colour display which will even project navigation information and maps, in addition to regular data.
The i20 on the other hand, comes with a digital instrument cluster which isn't a single-piece unit. It feels basic and gets a central TFT display that gives essential driver information. It doesn't support full navigation or maps view and offers just turn-by-turn navigation. The Altroz clearly takes the lead here...
Wireless Carplay and Android Auto
The i20's 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers smartphone connectivity- has Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Both these are, however, wired. The Altroz facelift goes further beyond and offers the convenience of wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The top-spec Altroz will come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen- the same size as the one on the Hyundai. The lower variants will have a smaller 7-inch unit.
The touchscreen on the Altroz, comes paired with an 8-speaker (4 speakers and 4 tweeters) audio unit. Customisable audio modes - AudioworX are also offered. The i20 comes with a 7-speaker sound system by BOSE, which has over the years, earned a great reputation for itself. How these compare against each other is something that we'd need to wait to find out.
360 Degree Camera
Tata has given the facelifted Altroz a comprehensive safety suite. A 360-degree camera is part of the package (Tata calls it the '360⁰ HD Surround View System'). The i20, on the other hand, doesn't get one. It comes with just the rearview camera.
The Altroz will also offer 'Blind Spot Monitor' function with its mirror-mounted camera units. The i20 doesn't get this function either.
Touch-based HVAC controls
Tata Motors has provided a touch-based panel and haptic controls as the Climate control buttons. There is even an 'Xpress Cool' feature here, which will make the AC go all-out when engaged, cooling the cabin in no time. Many Tata vehicles have long had this feature and it is in fact, very useful in our hot, humid climate.
The i20 continues with its conventional HVAC panel with normal controls. It lacks the 'Quick cool' feature as well.
Flush door handles
Like many other Tata cars and SUVs of the day, the new Altroz will also come with illuminated flush-type door handles. These can be of great use in upping the vehicle's visual appeal. However, there will definitely be a learning curve involved for the user, as most of us are used to regular pull type units, which are found on cars including the i20...
More powertrain Choices
Finally, the new Altroz will offer multiple powertrain options- a privilege that the i20 no longer enjoys. The engine lineup on the new Altroz facelift includes 1.2l naturally aspirated (NA) petrol, 1.5L turbocharged diesel, and 1.2-litre-based CNG. The turbocharged petrol will likely remain limited to the Racer variant.
The i20 is currently available in just the NA petrol form. The 1.2L naturally aspirated (petrol) engine on this car produces 83 PS and 114.7 Nm, and comes mated to just manual transmission. The beefier N-Line guise comes with a more powerful 1.0L turbocharged petrol unit.
It has been years since Hyundai axed the 1.5 CRDi diesel engine of the i20. It was frugal, reliable and pumped huge value into the hatchback. The discontinuation has left the i20 vulnerable, as now, the Altroz is the only hatchback that offers a diesel engine in its segment. Though small in number, there are definitely takers for diesels...