If you are looking for a Tata car in the sub-4-metre category, you are most likely to be suggested the Tata Nexon. The Indian compact SUV is not only one of the best-selling cars in India, but also has been one of the most successful cars in the Indian car market. However, when you walk into a Tata showroom to buy a Tata Nexon, the Tata Altroz premium hatchback may catch your attention. It is because the Altroz too is a sub-4-metre car, and can save you a significant amount of money if you choose it over the Nexon. Even though a hatchback should not be compared with a compact SUV, from a financial standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. Therefore, in this comparison article of Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon, we compare the two on key parameters and determine which one you should buy.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Dimensions & Design
| Tata Altroz | Tata Nexon | |
| Length | 3,990 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,755 mm | 1,804 mm |
| Height | 1,523 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,501 mm | 2,498 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 208 mm |
| Boot Space | 345 litres (petrol) | 210 litres (CNG) | 382 litres (petrol) | 321 litres (CNG) |
Expectedly, the Tata Nexon is larger than the Tata Altroz. By the measurements, the Nexon is 5 mm longer, 49 mm wider, and 97 mm taller than the Altroz. However, the Altroz offers a 3 mm longer wheelbase. While the Nexon offers more space in its cabin and five passengers can sit more comfortably in it, the Altroz offers sufficient space to accommodate five passengers.
As far as designs are concerned, both the Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon are good-looking cars. Being a compact SUV, the Nexon looks more macho and dominant. Its front end has a higher-positioned bonnet with tall ridges on both sides, giving it some muscles. Its higher-placed slim DRLs are connected by a faux grille. Lower down, the trapezoidal blacked-out air intake area with a latticed pattern adds to the butch appeal. On the side, the Nexon features a curved coupe roof that sets it apart from other compact SUVs, a rising belt line, and dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the Nexon features a large, sporty spoiler at the top and stylish V-shaped tail lamps connected by a band that illuminates when you lock and unlock the car.
On the other hand, the Altroz looks sportier. At the front end, the Altroz features an aggressive bumper, which is full of cuts and creases and features a trapezoidal air intake. Its slim grille features layered rectangular units to create a 3D effect and neatly merges into swept-back headlamps. On the side, the Altroz features EV-like 16-inch alloy wheels and flush-fitting front door handles, while the rear door handles are mounted on the C-pillars. At the rear, the Altroz features a chunky blacked-out rear bumper and LED tail lamps connected by a light bar.
The Tata Nexon is larger than the Tata Altroz and offers more space. While the choice of design is subjective, it is worth mentioning that both Nexon and Altroz are pretty good-looking cars.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Engine & Transmission
| Tata Altroz | Tata Nexon | |
| Engine | 1.2-litre petrol engine1.5-litre turbo diesel engine | 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine1.5-litre turbo diesel engine |
| Power | 88 PS (petrol) 73.5 PS (CNG) 90 PS (turbo diesel) | 120 PS (turbo petrol) 100 PS (CNG) 115 PS (turbo diesel) |
| Torque | 115 Nm (petrol) 103 Nm (CNG) 200 Nm (turbo diesel) | 170 Nm (turbo petrol) 170 Nm (CNG) 260 Nm (turbo diesel) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual transmission with both engines 5-speed AMT with diesel engine 6-speed DCT automatic with the petrol engine. | 5-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed manual gearbox, 6-speed AMT, and 6-speed DCT automatic with the petrol engine. 6-speed manual transmission and 6-speed AMT with the diesel engine. 6-speed manual transmission with CNG variants |
| Mileage | Up to 19.33 km/l (petrol) Up to 23.64 km/l (diesel) Up to 26.2 km/kg (CNG) | Up to 17.57 km/l (petrol) Up to 24.07 km/l (diesel) Up to 24 km/kg (CNG) |
Both Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon are offered in petrol-powered, diesel-powered, and CNG-powered variants. It is worth noting that the Tata Altroz is the only diesel-powered hatchback in India. Considering how powerful the engines of Altroz and Nexon are, the Altroz is built for comfortable drives with your friends and family. Whereas, the Tata Nexon can offer you both comfortable drives with friends and family as well as an exciting performance, which entertains a driving enthusiast. As far as ride comfort is concerned, being Tata cars, both Altroz and Nexon are the best in their respective segments.
The Tata Nexon is more powerful than the Tata Altroz and can deliver an appreciable dose of driving fun. Whereas the Tata Altroz is built for comfort-oriented drives.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Features & Comfort
| Tata Altroz | Tata Nexon | |
| Infotainment system | 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment | 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment |
| Music system | 8-speaker Harman Kardon music system | 8-speaker JBL music system |
| Climate control | Automatic | Automatic |
| Ventilated seats | Not available | Front ventilated seats |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt | Tilt and telescopic |
| Drive modes | Eco & Sport | Default, Range,Everyday, Race,Snow &Custom mode |
| Instrument cluster | 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster | 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Sunroof | Single-pane sunroof | Single-pane sunroof in lower variants | Panoramic sunroof in the top variant |
| Adjustable seats (manual or electric) | Not available | Not available |
| Rear AC vents | Available | Available |
| 60:40 rear seat split | Available | Available |
| Cruise control | Available | Available |
On the inside, both Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon offer a premium atmosphere. The Tata Nexon’s layered dashboard looks cleaner than that of the Altroz. This dashboard gets a free-standing touchscreen and faux carbon-fibre finished band that houses the trapezoidal AC vents. Its two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel is the same as the one on the Altroz. Beside the centre console, the Nexon features a gloss black panel for the HVAC controls, and all the controls here only light up when the car is on. While this panel adds to a clean appeal, it can get easily soiled.
The Altroz features a sharper-looking dual-tone dashboard with angular detailing. Barring the dashboard design, the Altroz does not look much different from the Nexon on the inside. Like the Nexon, it features a free-standing touchscreen, trapezoidal AC vents, and a slightly smaller gloss black HVAC panel beside the centre console. It is worth mentioning that on the inside, the Altroz looks and feels like a car of a class above. An interesting feature of the latest Tata Altroz is the additional thigh support, which is essentially additional pads on the edge of the seats to enhance comfort for the thighs.
As far as features are concerned, the Tata Nexon has the upper hand, primarily due to ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof. Except for these two, both Altroz and Nexon are almost equally feature-packed.
On the inside, the Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon look and feel largely similar. In terms of feature wealth, the Tata Nexon is ahead of the Tata Altroz, especially due to the ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Safety Features
| Tata Altroz | Tata Nexon | |
| NCAP Safety Rating | Not tested | 5-stars in Bharat NCAP |
| Airbags | Six airbags as standard | Six airbags as standard |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Hill hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill descent control | No | No |
| Rear sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking camera | 360-degree camera | 360-degree camera |
| ISOFIX Child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Not available | Not available |
While the latest Tata Altroz has not been tested by any NCAP, when it does get tested, it is certain to bag a full 5-star rating, as the new Altroz is structurally similar to the pre-facelift Altroz, which has a 5-star Global NCAP rating. Whereas, the Tata Nexon has been tested by the Bharat NCAP and scored a full 5-star rating. So, it is fair to say that both are equally strong cars. As far as safety features are concerned, both the Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon are equipped with enough features to offer solid passenger safety.
The Tata Altroz and Tata Nexon are almost equally solid and safe cars.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Price comparison
| Tata Altroz | Tata Nexon | |
| Base variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs. 6.89 – 7.89 lakh | Rs. 8 – 9 lakh |
| Mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs. 7.69 – 9.15 lakh | Rs. 8.9 – 10.30 lakh |
| Upper mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs. 8.69 – 10.35 lakh | Rs. 9.70 – 14.80 lakh |
| Top variant | Rs. 9.99 – 11.49 lakh | Rs. 13.30 – 15.60 lakh |
As can be seen, the Tata Altroz is Rs 1–2 lakh more affordable than the Tata Nexon in base and mid variants. The price difference increases towards the upper mid-variants and top variants mainly due to the Tata Nexon’s panoramic sunroof and some additional features, including ventilated seats. From a value standpoint, both Nexon and Altroz offer equally valued packages.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: Summary
Now the question is, which one should you buy?
The latest iteration of the Tata Altroz is not only its best version ever, but also more premium than its rivals – Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20. It should be more than enough for you if you want a capable Tata car, which can comfortably accommodate your family and ferry them around. However, if you are comfortable spending a few more lakhs and bringing home a compact SUV to enjoy a more powerful engine and a few more premium features, the Tata Nexon is one to go for.
Tata Altroz vs Tata Nexon: FAQs
Which is larger, the Tata Nexon or the Tata Altroz?
Tata Nexon is 3,995 mm long, 1,804 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,498 mm. Tata Altroz is 3,990 mm long, 1,755 mm wide, 1,523 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,501 mm. Therefore, the Nexon is 5 mm longer, 49 mm wider, and 97 mm taller than the Altroz. However, the Altroz offers a 3 mm longer wheelbase.
Among the Tata Nexon and Tata Altroz, which car is more powerful?
The 1.2-litre NA petrol engine and 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine of the Tata Altroz produce 88 PS and 90 PS respectively. Whereas, the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine of the Tata Nexon produce 120 PS and 115 PS. Therefore, the Tata Nexon is more powerful than the Tata Altroz.
Among the Tata Nexon and the Tata Altroz, which has better sound quality?
The sound qualities of the music systems offered on the Tata Nexon and Tata Altroz feel equally premium.
Which safety features are available in the base variant of the Tata Altroz?
The safety features of the base Smart variant of the Tata Altroz include 6 airbags, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX anchorages, 3-point ELR seat belts for all passengers, and more.
What types of automatic transmission systems are available in the Tata Nexon and the Tata Altroz?
The Tata Altroz offers a 5-speed AMT and a 6-speed DCT automatic. The Tata Nexon offers a 6-speed AMT and a 6-speed DCT automatic.
