Should you buy a used Tata Tiago?

The hatchback space in India has hugely been dominated by Maruti Suzuki. However, back in 2016, Tata decided to compete against it by launching the Tiago. The entry-level hatchback soon rose to popularity thanks to its design, engine options and the value it offered, making it one of the most affordable hatchbacks in India. Ever since, it has been one of the best-selling models for Tata and a key competitor to the numerous offerings from Maruti Suzuki. It has been seven long years now and Tata has already sold a whopping 5 lakh units of the Tiago in India. The little Tiago has soldiered on all these years with major and minor updates to fend off competition. As a pre-owned purchase, the Tata Tiago makes a strong case for itself, and here is the big picture that you’ve been looking for. 

Why you should consider the Tata Tiago

There are multiple reasons why the Tiago should be on your radar if you’re looking for a budget used car. Out of all the reasons, the most crucial one would be safety. Without any doubt, the Tata Tiago is the safest car in its segment by a good margin. This coupled with the solid engine options, the roomy cabin, likeable design and the high seating position makes the Tiago faultless for most scenarios.  If you’re still not sure if the Tiago is for you, here are three main reasons why you should look at a used Tiago: 

Safety!

In all honesty, thanks to poor safety standards in India, we usually don’t expect much safety from our budget hatchbacks priced towards the lower end of the spectrum. But, this norm was suddenly up for debate when the Tata Tiago scored an impressive 4-star at the Global NCAP crash test. Tata Motors and safety are closely associated but it is the Tiago that really put Tata on the map with respect to safety. This little hatchback surprised us with its crash worthiness, scoring 4-stars for child safety as well. According to the test results, the Tiago scored 12.52 out of 17 for adult safety and 34.15 out of 49 for child occupant safety. A rigid body shell with good crumple zones and safety features such as airbags, and ABS with EBD as standard helped the Tiago achieve this score. For reference, its arch-rival, and a non-airbag version of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, scored zero stars. 

It is safe to say that the Tiago set the benchmark for safety of city cars in India and it still remains the top-pick. So, if you want the safest car of the lot, a pre-owned Tata Tiago is highly recommended without any alternatives.

No-Nonsense Powertrain Setup

The Tata Tiago is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron petrol engine that puts out 85PS and 113 Nm of twist to its front wheels. These are not massive figures by any standard. However, in contrast to its rivals, the Tiago offers good numbers that are respectable in its space filled with city runabouts. These figures are channelled via a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox for added convenience. The Tiago was also offered with a diesel engine, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit that developed 69PS and a punchy 140 Nm of torque. This engine has long been discontinued but you can still find examples in the used car space. 

The existing and more popular petrol engine is also offered in a CNG guise with reduced figures – 72PS/98 Nm mated to the same transmission options. As far as budget hatchbacks go, the 1.2-litre engine is a good unit with enough firepower for urban duties. It is also rated highly for fuel economy with figures ranging between 19 and 26 kmpl, depending on the variant. And for those who like the numbers to do the talking, the Tiago petrol can reach speeds of up to 100 kmph in 15 seconds.

Spacious Hatchback

Another talking point of the Tiago after safety is the space on offer. With a tiny footprint, the Tiago surprises us with the room on board. It features a well laid-out cabin with enough space for a family along with a boot space of 242 litres. What also stands out is the headroom on offer as the Tiago is a hatchback with an upright stance. You also sit higher than a conventional hatchback which is an added benefit on our busy roads. 

How old should your pre-owned Tata Tiago be?

The Tata Tiago was first launched in 2016, so it has not been long. There have been various minor updates to the model throughout the time with a major one in 2020 which is still on sale. The hatchback was also offered with a diesel engine in this time span which is now only reserved to the used car space. Tata also offers an all-electric version of the Tiago which goes by the name, Tiago.ev. Post-2020 facelifted models are the most recommended ones as they’ve got all the styling updates and feature revisions making them more upmarket. 

However, if the budget is limiting, you can also look at older model years with reasonable mileage. We wouldn’t recommend the Tiago diesel, especially if you’re residing in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 city. If you’re an enthusiastic buyer, there’s the Tiago JTP, a limited-run sportier version of the Tiago with a turbo petrol engine as well. Again, reserved to the pre-owned space and extremely rare

What to look out for when you buy a used Tata Tiago?

The Tata Tiago is a relatively popular car in the market but there have been reports of some issues and here are some of them: 

Poor Plastic Quality

A common issue that plagues Tata models are quality niggles. Most of these issues are reflected inside the cabin where the fit and finish leaves room for improvement. Tata has improved things over the years but the earlier models of the Tiago still suffer from this issue. Some of these quality issues can also be found in some mechanicals where you can expect some uneven wear and tear of parts. As a thumb rule, it is always ideal to go for a later model year as Tata carried out improvements over the years to its lineup. 

Refinement Issues

The 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is not the most refined engine out there. In contrast to its rivals, the Tiago falls short when it comes to refinement and if that is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to look at other options. That said, the refinement is definitely not on the crude side and it is in fact fairly decent for a three-cylinder unit. The same applies to the now-discontinued 1.0-litre diesel engine as well. 

Lacking After-sales Support

Tata’s Achilles heel has been its after-sales support that is still a long way to go. There have been substantial improvements over the years but this is still a glaring issue with customers reporting below average after-sales and service support from the brand’s dealership. So, if the authorised service centre near you is not renowned for its customer service, you might want to consider something else.

How much should a pre-owned Tata Tiago cost?

Used Tata Tiago models offer great value since the price for a new one ranges between Rs 5.60 – 8.20 lakh (ex-showroom). Starting used prices hover around the 5 lakh mark, except for the Delhi-NCR region where it is atleast a lakh cheaper. For that money, you get a solid hatchback and the later models are also priced well making it a compelling choice. 

Is a used Tata Tiago worth buying in 2023?

The answer to that comes down to what you’re looking for in a used car. If you are searching for a city runaround that doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet. Yes, a pre-owned Tiago sounds like the right car for you. However, there are some shortcomings in terms of quality, refinement and after-sales support. If you can gloss over these obvious issues, the Tiago is a suitable and safe buy. More so, if you want the safest car that also ranks high on cabin space and practicality.