When it comes to reviewing entry-level cars like the Tata Tiago 1.2 XT, we have one immovable qualifier, it must meet minimum safety requirements. You see, buying your first new car should be a balancing act between affordability, value for money, safety and that all-consuming desire for personal mobility. But let’s also not forget that a car acts as a status symbol, too.
When the alternative is public transport, a new car speaks to your aspirations and individuality. This is why the one you really want is usually out of reach of your budget. Nevertheless, is the Tata Tiago 1.2 XT a good way to spend your hard-earned randelas? The Indian firm is no fly-by-nighter trying to score a quick buck off the back of an inferior offering, they do cheap, cheerful and robust very well.
TATA TIAGO 1.2 XT
And we can report that the Tata Tiago 1.2 XT shows up surprisingly well for a car that costs just R209 900. Genuinely, for that sort of money on the used market, a dubious service history and cloud of blue smoke following you around is more than likely. Let’s get the numbers out of the way real quick. Under the bonnet sits a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 63 kW and 113 Nm. Those digits are best described as adequate and won’t set your pants on fire.
However, thanks to a decent five-speed manual gearbox, you can grab every single one of them by the scruff of the neck. Drive with gusto, get the valves dancing on the bonnet, and 63 kW is more than enough for a daily driver. The claimed/combined consumption is 5.0 l/100 km, which’ll make diesel bakkie drivers look at you with quiet envy. However, the real-world figure we recorded is closer to 5.8 l/100 km, which is hardly a Middle Eastern crisis.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
Inside, the Tata Tiago 1.2 XT gets the job done without pretending to be something it isn’t. Okay, the light-coloured plastic is somewhat cringe and the seats aren’t exactly figure hugging. But there’s enough kit to keep a first-time buyer smiling. Touchscreen, phone mirroring, et al … Remember, the alternative for many is the back of a minibus taxi or PRASA carriage.
As far as practicality goes, there’s a 242-litre boot, which is perfectly acceptable for a small hatchback of this size. However, one legitimate gripe is that the rear seats don’t fold flat. So, when you recline them to fit larger items, there’s this seat-back-shaped impediment to whatever you’re loading. It’s a frustration worth noting, although not a dealbreaker. As is the fact that the boot can only be opened with the key and not a button on the key fob.
TATA TIAGO VERDICT
Now, the bit that matters most: safety. The Tata Tiago 1.2 XT carries a 4-star Global NCAP rating. These are tests aimed at emerging markets on the Indian and African continent and in this segment, their approval is not immaterial. Many very popular fair a lot worse. Thanks to dual front airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ISOFIX child seat anchorage points across the range, it scores a passing grade.
At the end of the day, for just R209 900, the Tata Tiago 1.2 XT is a really decent cheap car. Does it drive perfectly? No. The ride is, at times, brittle and the steering is more functional than sporting. However, it drives predictably and efficiently. And we’re confident it won’t suddenly decide to swap ends on you in the wet. And even if it does, all the requisite safety features are in place. For the money, we defy you to find more …
TATA TIAGO 1.2 XT FIGURES
- Engine: 1 199 cc 3-cyl petrol
- Power: 63 kW, 113 Nm
- Performance: 0-100 km/h 10 seconds +
- Gearbox: 5-speed manual
- Economy: 5.8 l/100 km (tested), 5.0 l/100 km (claimed/combined)
- Price: R209 900
