Published : 23 September 2026
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Siddharth
Tata’s Aeris teasers promise a sedan that will stand out. But the Tigor’s biggest weaknesses were never limited to its styling. If the Aeris is to challenge the Maruti Dzire, Tata must get the everyday, unglamorous details right.

Tata’s 3 Aeris teasers eventually make their point: compact sedans are boring and the Aeris will not be. The first video communicated that poorly, but the bigger issue is that the Tigor was never short of style.
Tata launched the Tigor in 2017 as a “StyleBack”. Its sloping roofline and notchback proportions were noticeably different from those of its rivals. Styling was not its biggest weakness.

It became the first sedan in its segment with a factory-fitted CNG-AMT option, and the 2025 update brought features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 360-degree camera. Our Variants Explained analysis also found its equipment distribution and variant lineup sensible.
In our experience, the Tigor’s rear-seat under-thigh support is the best in class, making it a more comfortable place to be seated in. Its roofliner feels more plush, while the heavier doors lend it a reassuring sense of solidity.

Yet between September 2025 and August 2026, the Dzire sold roughly 16,000–25,000 units a month while the Tigor never crossed 2,000. The Hyundai Aura and Honda Amaze also stayed comfortably ahead throughout the period.
A sales gap of that size will not disappear merely because the Aeris has purple paint, connected tail lamps and a new name.
If the white vehicles in Tata’s campaign are meant to reference the Dzire’s popularity as a taxi (as many in the team seemed to think after watching the first teaser), that is an unusual weakness to target. The Dzire’s fleet popularity has not prevented it from also becoming the default small sedan for many private buyers.
I spent considerable time driving a Tigor EV while working with BluSmart and have travelled extensively in both cars as a passenger. The EV cannot tell me how the Tigor petrol compares for engine refinement, but it reveals plenty about the seating position, visibility, controls, ride and cabin quality.

The Tigor taxis I encountered generally had more rattles and worn-looking interiors than comparable Dzires. Fleet cars vary in age and upkeep, but the latest Dzire consistently feels more spacious, comfortable and quiet. It also offers better visibility, a more comfortable driving position, lighter steering and pedals, and more logically arranged controls.
The Dzire is not exceptionally refined. Its 3-cylinder engine felt gruff at idle and its AMT was hesitant in traffic when I compared it with the Honda Amaze CVT.
However, Jagdev rates the Dzire’s engine noise and vibration control above the Tigor’s, despite both using 3-cylinder petrol and CNG engines. He has also found the Dzire’s frequently used components, particularly the steering-column-mounted stalks and ORVM adjustment knob, to last longer.
The Tiago facelift suggests Tata have addressed some of the Tigor’s weaknesses. Its cabin feels richer, its new manual gearbox offers shorter, more positive shifts, and its AMT is better calibrated. If these improvements carry over, the Aeris should feel more polished than the Tigor.

However, the familiar 1.2L 3-cylinder engine remains the weak link. It still vibrates noticeably at idle and gets noisy as the revs rise, while the AMT can jerk during low-speed shifts. The Aeris needs better isolation from engine noise and vibration, along with smoother transmission calibration.
The new Tiago is too recent to judge long-term durability. Tata must ensure the Aeris’ cabin still feels solid after years of regular use.
The Aeris needs a better driving position, clearer outward visibility, logically placed controls and light, predictable steering and pedals compared to the Tigor.
Rear AC vents and better cabin isolation would also add more everyday value than another decorative lighting feature.
The Aeris needs to close the Tigor’s considerable efficiency gap with the Dzire:
The Dzire is substantially more efficient with every comparable powertrain. If the Aeris retains the Tigor’s engines, Tata need to find meaningful efficiency improvements elsewhere.
The 2026 Tiago now offers 6 airbags and electronic stability control, so the Aeris should receive similar upgrades. However, the updated Tiago has not yet received a fresh Bharat NCAP rating.
The 4-star adult and 3-star child rating associated with the Tiago and Tigor dates to a Global NCAP test conducted under an older protocol in 2020, while the current Dzire scored 5 stars for adult protection and 4 stars for child protection under a newer protocol. The Aeris needs both improved standard safety equipment and a strong result in a current independent crash test.
The Aeris must address the Tigor’s reputation for rattles, quality niggles and faults that take repeated workshop visits to resolve. Not every Tata owner has a poor experience, but that inconsistency is the problem.

Photo courtesy Arya Tata Motors
Maruti have built greater confidence through predictable servicing, a wider workshop network and easier parts availability. Tata need better quality control and service centres that fix problems properly the first time. A long warranty may cover the bill, but it does not make repeated visits any less frustrating.
The Aeris already looks like a more substantial change than another Tigor facelift. That should get it noticed, but styling was never the Tigor’s biggest problem. The sedan already had distinctive proportions, a large boot, clever CNG packaging, good rear-seat support and competitive equipment. Buyers still chose the Dzire in far greater numbers.
Tata do not need to copy the Dzire. They need to retain the Tigor’s strengths while matching Maruti on the fundamentals: refinement, ergonomics, efficiency, durability and after-sales service.

The Dzire succeeds because it is comfortable, easy to drive, efficient and relatively easy to own. It gives buyers fewer reasons to reject it. Tata’s campaign says, “Bye Bye Boring.” For the Aeris to succeed, Tata first need to say goodbye to the Tigor’s familiar shortcomings.
Also Read: 2026 Tata Aeris Teased; Tigor Replacement To Get New Design And Colours
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Associate Editor
Siddharth enjoys understanding why certain cars click with buyers and figuring out what makes people actually stop and read or watch automotive content. He also has a soft spot for cars that may not always make logical sense, but still leave a lasting impression. Travelling, photography and exploring new cuisines are among his other passions.

























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