In the compact, entry-level hatchback segment in India, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio vs Tata Tiago has been a close match of the best sellers in this category. The AMT gearbox made its debut on the Celerio, which then saw it being used on other cars in the segment, to great success. The AMT gearbox has been a big hit due to its cost-effectiveness on an affordable small car, ease of driving and refined gearshifts.
The new styling is appealing on the latest generation of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio in contrast to the Tata Tiago which has a more solid design with a sleek front end. The Celerio also comes with several first-in-segment features and is based on the lightweight Suzuki patented Heartech platform which aids driving and handling dynamics. You may be wondering if you should buy the Maruti Celerio over the Tata Tiago. This article aims to narrow down your decision of Maruti Suzuki Celerio vs Tata Tiago.
Alternatives to these two best-selling hatchbacks include the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and the Hyundai Santro.
Celerio vs Tiago Comparison – Engine and Driving Dynamics
The latest generation of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio was launched on Nov 10th 2021. It is equipped with the new K10C, 998-cc, petrol engine that has a maximum power output of 66 bhp and peak torque figure of 89 Nm. You can have the Celerio with a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT (Automatic Gear Shift) gearbox. The Celerio also has the option of a CNG-powered engine (with only the 5-speed manual transmission) which produces slightly less power at 56 bhp and torque of 82 Nm.
The Tata Tiago trademark Revotron petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit, 3-cylinder inline that produces a maximum power output of 85 bhp and torque of 113 Nm. There is a CNG variant that was released in Jan 2022 that can only be had with the 5-speed manual transmission. The petrol variant has the option of an AMT gearbox.
The Celerio has one of the most efficient engines in the segment which is powerful and eager to perform. Suzuki has worked to reduce internal friction in the engine and is smooth and peppy, a real joy to drive. Low-end power is great and makes the Celerio a good city car and daily driver. The engine is so efficient, that it conforms to BS6 phase two standards.
The Tata Tiago offers a linear power delivery and the engine feels solid, yet light to drive. Also, a city-friendly engine, the Tiago has a great torque response that can pull it out of any situation without rowing through the gears constantly.
The CNG-powered version doesn’t lack power and is comparable to the petrol variant. The Tiago deals with city traffic with aplomb and has the tenacity to perform when called for.
When it comes to the question of Tata Tiago vs Celerio maintenance cost - which is better, it is the Celerio that is easier to live with due to its light controls and easy drivability. Also, the wide Maruti Suzuki network is a plus point for maintenance and after-sales service costs.
Celerio vs Tata Tiago – Exterior and Interior Features
The Celerio has lost some of its cuteness and the overall design has become more rounded in tune with Suzuki’s new styling theme as seen on the Swift and the 2022 Baleno. Front and rear bumpers are swept back and larger, including an integrated fog lamp housing. It gets 15-inch alloys in flared wheel arches that lend a muscular look to the exterior. On the inside, the Celerio gets a SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, a newly styled gear shifter, an engine start-stop button and steering mounted control.
In terms of safety, the Celerio gets dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, a reverse parking sensor and hill assist features. The reason why the Celerio is so popular is because of its spacious cabin and practical approach to affordable driving. This new interior certainly is leagues ahead of the older generation and the instruments are well laid out. The quality of materials is premium, you won’t find hard plastics around the interior. There are also some nice, sporty touches like the sculpted dashboard and round A/c vents. Brushed chrome and aluminium add an upmarket feel to the Celerio driving experience.
The Tata Tiago has a mature-looking exterior that looks solid (it got a 4-star Global NCAP rating, so it is definitely strong). It leans forward and has sleek lines running up the sides with a wide grille in front. The front bumper gets a new air dam and a revised fascia. Dual tone 15-inch alloy wheels ties up the exterior well. Looks are not spectacular, but they are appealing and will go down well with a wide audience.
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The Tiago cabin is very spacious with decent amounts of headroom and legroom. The interior is airy and feels less claustrophobic than most cars in the compact hatchback segment. There is a 7-inch touchscreen placed in the middle of the dashboard, while driver instrumentation is all digital. The seats offer good support and the rear bench is comfortable, especially on long drives that allow passengers to stretch their legs a bit.
Well, is the Tata Tiago a good car to buy? The answer is probably yes, because it does offer a little more for your money in terms of build quality and a few extra features. However, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is built on a modern platform, that is more dynamic, making the Tiago look a little bit outdated. The Tiago doesn’t fall too far behind, but as a practical, daily driver that is easy to live with, and most importantly, light on the pocket, buyers will be inclined towards the Celerio.
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Celerio vs Tiago Dimensions
Specifications indicate the Tata Tiago is longer and wider than the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, and this equates to slightly more cabin space. However, the Celerio has a longer wheelbase and features a tall boy design which provides better headroom.
Boot space on the Celerio is larger which will come in handy on long drives, but all in all the exterior dimensions are closely matched, and both cars can squeeze in and out of narrow lanes with ease.
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Maruti Celerio vs Tata Tiago – Comparison of Specifications, Features and Price
Here is the spec sheet and comparison of the Maruti Celerio vs Tata Tiago both in their standard variants with manual transmission and petrol engines. The Maruti Celerio LXi is priced at Rs.5.23 lakh (average ex-showroom) with the Tata Tiago XE at a comparable cost of Rs.5.39 lakh (average ex-showroom). Both compact hatchbacks are available in petrol and CNG variants with the Celerio offering slightly better mileage thanks to its smaller, more frugal engine.
| Maruti Suzuki Celerio | Tata Tiago | |
| Average Ex-showroom Price | Rs.5.23 lakh | Rs.5.39 |
| Engine | K10C | Revotron 1.2 litre |
| Engine Type | 1.0 litre, 3 cylinders inline | 1.2 litre, 3 cylinders inline |
| Max Power (bhp @ rpm) | 66 bhp @ 5500 rpm | 85 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Max Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 89 Nm @ 3500 rpm | 113 Nm @ 3300 rpm |
| Mileage (kmpl) | 25.2 kmpl | 20 kmpl |
| Driving Range | 800 km | 700 km |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Powertrain | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Emission Standard | BS6 | BS6 |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 800 kg | 935 kg |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 170 mm | 170 mm |
| Length (mm) | 3695 mm | 3765 mm |
| Width (mm) | 1655 mm | 1677 mm |
| Height (mm) | 1555 mm | 1535 mm |
| Boot space (litres) | 313 mm | 242 mm |
| Fuel Tank (litres) | 32 litres | 35 litres |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut / Coil Spring | Independent Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam / Coil Spring | Twist Beam / Hydraulic Shock |
| Brakes (Front) | Disc | Disc |
| Brakes (Rear) | Drum | Drum |
| Front Tyres | 165 / 70 R14 | 175 / 65 R14 |
| Rear Tyres | 165 / 70 R14 | 175 / 65 R14 |
| Overspeed Warning | Yes | Yes |
| NCAP Safety Rating | No | 4-Star Rating (Global NCAP) |
| Airbags | Dual Airbags (Driver + Passenger) | Dual Airbags (Driver + Passenger) |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| EBD | No | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Program | No | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | Manual, Single Zone | Manual, Single Zone |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear |
| Steering Adjustment | No | Tilt |
| Driver Seat Adjustment | 4 Way Manually Adjustable | 6 Way Manually Adjustable |
| Roof Mounted Antenna | No | Yes |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
| Taillights | Halogen | Halogen |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | No | No |
| Battery Warranty (km) | No | No |
| Warranty (years) | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Warranty (km) | 40,000 km | 75,000 km |
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Pros and Cons of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio
The Celerio is much loved for its ease of driving, light control and practical interiors. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio.
Pros
- The Celerio is India’s most fuel-efficient car with a frugal K10C, 998 cc, 3-cylinder, inline-four, and 4 valves/cylinder DOHC. It has a segment-leading mileage of 25.2 km/l
- Available with a CNG engine option that is good for long drives on a budget
- The cabin is more spacious than the outgoing model and has pleasing interiors
- Perfect city car for the small family, with light controls, a wide windscreen and large windows.
- The engine is always eager to rev and is an advantage in city traffic
Cons
- Maruti’s have always had lacklustre steering response and the Celerio suffers from this too
- The automatic gearbox is not the smoothest (it is an AMT) and gets a bit jerky between 1st and 2nd gear
- Other hatchbacks offer more features for this price
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Advantages and Disadvantages of the Tata Tiago
The Tata Tiago is a great city driver with solid build quality and modern styling. It is one of the safest cars in this segment while interior equipment has been improved from the outgoing model. Let’s list the pros and cons of the Tiago.
Pros
- It has a new sleek look that has borrowed cues from the Altroz, especially the front
- A 4-star Global NCAP rating is a feather in its cap in regard to safety
- The Revotron petrol engine is a good performer and has been improved from the older generation
Cons
- Tata has not taken care of NVH levels, the cabin receives vibrations from the motor
- Transmission is not slick and smooth. Requires some effort to shift gears
- Interior materials are below par as compared to others in the compact hatchback segment
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Conclusion
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio has upped the ante with this new generation model, building upon all the likes of its siblings, such as a peppy engine, spacious interiors, practical driving dynamics, light controls and affordable maintenance available from a wide service network. This new Celerio gets a bigger boot which equates to hassle-free long drives for the family car. Add to that an engine that provides the best efficiency in its segment and you have the recipe for a best seller, which is exactly what the Celerio does best. The AMT gearbox is icing on the cake, given today’s overcrowded cities and stop-and-go traffic conditions.
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Priced at Rs.5.23 (average ex-showroom price), the Maruti Suzuki Celerio offers value for money and is an entry-level hatchback that is easy to live with. Maruti Celerio and Tata Tiago compare as equals on the pricing front (the Tiago retails for Rs.5.39 lakh average ex-showroom), and the advantage it has is strong build quality with a 4-star Global NCAP rating.
With the addition of a CNG variant, the Tata Tiago has widened its horizons and now offers a choice for buyers who would otherwise opt for the Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG version. On the question of the Tata Tiago CNG vs Celerio CNG, which is better, the Celerio CNG offers a smoother driving experience, but the Tiago CNG has more useable torque that makes it more practical. The performance of the Tiago CNG engine is only marginally lower than the petrol version which is good news for Tata fans.
In the end, both small hatchbacks offer stress-free driving, loads of features, excellent reliability and work well in the city. If you a looking for the new kid on the block, the Maruti Celerio is your choice, and for tried and tested factors, the Tiago will suit you better.
If you found this detailed comparison of Maruti Suzuki Celerio vs Tata Tiago interesting, you may also want to read about Upcoming cars of Tata Motors in India or The Complete List Of Maruti Suzuki Low Price Cars In India and visit carorbis blog for more blogs like this.
