Tata Tiago vs. Maruti Alto K10 vs. Chevrolet Spark vs. Datsun GO
While the world is comparing the Tiago with the Hyundai i10 and the Maruti Celerio, I feel they cannot be compared. I started out the same way but when I compared the prices, I felt that Tiago prices are more in tune with the cars mentioned above. Take a look :
|
Amount in Rs. |
Tiago |
Alto K10 |
Spark |
GO |
|
Price bracket |
|
|
|
|
|
Petrol |
3.32-4.91 |
3.26-4.12 |
3.64-4.22 |
3.26-4.14 |
|
Diesel |
4.08-5.72 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
|
CNG |
NA |
4.05-4.08 |
NA |
NA |
The small car segment is very very very price elastic and hence, price will be the first thing a buyer will consider while comparing cars. So, I have gone ahead and done a comparative analysis of the Tiago against the Alto K10, Spark and the GO.
Coming to the Tiago, this is the third launch from Tata in recent times and after the lukewarm response to both the Bolt and the Zest, a lot is riding on the Tiago. Under the HorizonNext strategy, Tata is trying to overhaul its product line up in India and we hope it does not become a case of ‘Jack of all trades, Master of none’. The Tiago will eventually replace the ageing Indica, as such very few Indica variants are up for sale now from the original line-up.
Exterior:
|
|
Tiago |
Alto K10 |
Spark |
Datsun GO |
|
Dimensions |
|
|
|
|
|
Length (mm) |
3746 |
3545 |
3495 |
3785 |
|
Width (mm) |
1647 |
1515 |
1495 |
1635 |
|
Height (mm) |
1535 |
1475 |
1518 |
1485 |
|
Wheelbase (mm) |
2400 |
2360 |
2345 |
2450 |
|
Ground Clearance (mm) |
170 |
160 |
170 |
170 |
|
Boot Space (litres) |
242 |
177 |
170 |
265 |
A look at the above table gives a clear indication that the Tiago and GO are much bigger than the Alto K10 or the Spark, Spark being the smallest of the lot.
Design wise, Tata has done a good job on the Tiago. The lines are fresh and youthful. The front grille gets a piano black finish and the trademark Pratap Bose ‘humanity line’ is very much present. The wraparound tail lamps also make the car look wider than it really is. Tiago gets the 175/65 R14 tyres, which are the biggest in the segment and hence lend the car a bigger, imposing look.
Comparatively, the Alto K10 and the Spark design look very dated and flat. Spark looks almost toy like. I expect both will face a tough time as people will surely prefer a bigger stylish looking option available in the same price bracket.
Also, the base model of the Alto K10 does not have body colored bumpers, body colored door handles and chrome finish front grill.
The Datsun GO has a fresh design and looks good and youthful with the D cut grille and hexagonal headlamps. The radiator grille gets a chrome finish on the bottom 2 variants and silver finish on the top 2 variants. The top model gets body colored door handles. But all said and done, first time car buyers will hesitate in buying a Datsun car when compared to more popular companies like Tata and Maruti.
Interior
Datsun GO has the highest wheelbase but Tata is known for squeezing out every last bit of space for passenger comfort and this car is no different.
The Datsun GO brochure has many ‘First-In-Class’(FIC) and ‘Best-In-Class’(BIC) and it remains to be seen how many of these ‘Best-in-Class’ need to be removed because of the launch of the Tiago. However, the Datsun Go still has the BIC boot space. The car also gets FIC connected front seat. Spinal support front seats are also FIC.
The interior fit and finish is quite good. The dashboard has a leather feel grain finish which is quite premium for this segment. Bottom two models get fabric upholstery while the top 2 models get jacquard upholstery.
The Alto K10 gets dual tone interior and piano finish stereo which are obviously not upto the mark when compared to the Datsun GO and Tiago. Space is again a big constraint in the Alto and the Spark- four normal sized Indian adults will find it difficult to fit comfortably into the Spark. Alto is a bit better with the operative word big ‘bit’.
The Tiago is a well balanced car as far as the interiors are concerned – that is Tata has struck a good balance between premium feelings plastics and cheap plastics. The XB and XZ variants get premium full fabric upholstery. But the winner is the space. The cabin is large and airy with a lot of headroom and legroom.
Engine :
|
|
Tiago |
Alto K10 |
Spark |
GO |
|
|
Petrol |
Diesel |
|
|
|
Engine
Type |
Revotron, MPFi
with Multi Drive |
Revotorq, CRAIL
with Multi Drive |
K108 |
S Tec, 2 , SOHC |
DOHC |
|
Capacity (cc) |
1199 |
1047 |
998 |
995 |
1198 |
|
Max Power |
85 PS@6000 rpm |
70 PS@4000 rpm |
68 PS@6000 rpm |
63 PS @5400 rpm |
68 PS@5000 rpm |
|
Max Torque |
114 Nm@3500 rpm |
140Nm@1800-3000 rpm |
90 Nm@3500 rpm |
90.3 Nm @4200 rpm |
104 Nm@4000 rpm |
|
No. of Cylinder |
3 |
3 |
|
4 |
3 |
|
Transmission Type |
5 MT |
5 MT/ AMT |
5 MT |
5 MT |
|
Suspension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Front |
Independent, McPherson dual path strut |
Independent, McPherson dual path strut |
Gas filled McPherson Strut |
McPherson Strut with Anti Roll bar
|
McPherson Strut with double pivot lower arm |
|
Rear |
Closed profile, twist beam |
Closed profile, twist beam |
3 link Rigid axle suspensions |
Torsion Beam Axle
|
H Type torsion beam |
|
Brake |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Front |
Disc |
Disc |
Disc |
Disc |
|
Rear |
Drum |
Drum |
Drum |
Drum |
|
Steering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Min Turning Radius |
4.9mm |
4.9mm |
4.6mm |
4.5mm |
4.6mm |
|
Power Steering Type |
Electronic Power Assist |
|
|
|
Speed Senstive Electric power steering |
Fuel efficiency
(kmpl) |
23.84 |
27.28 |
24 .07 |
32.26 |
16.2 |
20.6 |
Fuel tank capacity
(litres) |
35 |
35 |
35 |
60 Litre CNG + 35 litre petrol |
38 |
35 |
|
Kerb weight (kg) |
1080 |
1080 |
740-1210 |
835 |
840 |
769 |
A huge table, I know but very informative. The Tiago and GO both get 1.2 litre petrol engines. The Alto K10 and Spark get 1 litre engines. Tiago is the only car which comes with a Diesel option, whereas Alto is the only car which comes with a factory fitted CNG option.
The petrol engine from Tata is an all aluminium one and the best of the lot. Performance wise, the petrol Tiago is much better to drive than the diesel one. Petrol engines are always more preferred in this segment and it will be no surprise to see a better demand for the Petrol Tiago rather than the diesel one.
Important to note is that the Alto K10 is the only in this segment which offers Auto Gearshift.
Safety and Comfort:
Buyers in this segment may not wish to pay additional money for safety and comfort. But – if you get safety and comfort without paying additional money who will say no ?!?
Tiago gives you first in class Multi Drive Modes (Eco and City). It also gives you first in segment Turn-by-turn navigation app, Juke car app – both on XT and XZ variants. You also get rear parking sensors with display on infotainment screen. The XT and XZ variants also get Harman audio system with 4 speakers+4 tweeters. The XZ variant gets steering mounted audio and phone controls. The car also gets dual front airbags whereas other cars in this segment only get driver airbag.
A well known auto analyst, in his review of the Tiago has said that rather than giving a cooled glovebox, Tata should have given rear air-con vents. Really?? In a car this size?
Verdict
The verdict is clear cut. Tiago offers a huge package at this price point and so Tata has a winner on its hands. Other cars will soon face the heat, specially the cars which are nearing the end of its life-cycle like the Alto and the Spark.
And don’t fret , we will soon compare the Tiago with the Hyundai i10 and Maruti Celerio.