Tata Altroz vs Skoda Octavia [2013-2015]

The Tata Altroz Racer, as the name suggests, is a racier version of the standard hatchback with a more powerful engine, cosmetic changes, and additional features. Here is our first drive review of it.

A dozen years ago, the Indian car market didn’t have the choices it does today. The Honda City was the car we all aspired to, and those of us that couldn’t, got an Esteem. In an environment like this, an unknown Czech brand launched its German-engineered car, and everyone was stunned not just by the quality it offered at its price, but its fuel efficiency on the highway as well. The Octavia deservedly earned its reputation over the years; the follow-up, the Laura never really did grab the imagination of the car-buying public as much. Now Skoda has decided to get back to its roots and put the Octavia name back where it belongs. They claim that “The Legend Is Back”. Well, is it?

This is the new CNG variant of the Tata Altroz. It joins the CNG portfolio of the carmaker, alongside the Tiago and Tigor. Its prime competitors are the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Toyota Glanza which are also offered in CNG versions but fewer variants; the Altroz CNG can be had in as many as six variants. Does this and the new segment-first features make it any good? We find out in this review.