Tata Aria Review

DESIGN AND STYLE 

The Aria has real personality and notable styling. It is a people-mover you can actually look at and be glad about. Built on a dedicated ladder frame, it has independent front suspensions that power the rear wheels via longitudinally placed a common-rail diesel engine. Yes, Tata uses a four-wheel-drive system and has a small but potent motor.

The Aria at 2220kg is heavy, despite the promise of a lightweight and modern hydroformed chassis. Currently available only with a four-wheel-drive system, transfer case, additional differential and driveshafts further add to the bulk. As a result, the Aria weighs nearly half a tonne more than its main rival, the Innova and needs more energy to get moving.

To help stopping performance, Tata has specified the Aria with rear disc brakes - a first in this class - and safety has been enhanced by the presence of six airbags on this top version. In addition to anti-lock brakes, the Aria also has ESP - again a first - as well as an intelligent four-wheel-drive system from DivgiWarner for better traction.

CABIN

No Tata car has been so well built on the inside, no Tata car so lavishly equipped, this much is clear. There's a real sense that the Aria has been designed with much more than just practicality in mind. Like the exterior, the cabin design is bold and confident. Two vertical elements frame the central console, there is a clever, concealed glove box that's spring-loaded in addition to the regular one and the leather seats are generous and large, with extendable elbow supports. You also sit high, along with the longer wheelbase, gives good rear legroom. The rear seats are very supportive too. The rear bench has very good thigh support and you can even recline the backrest. The adjuster though is oddly located over your shoulder and the seats are a bit too firm as well.

The Aria is feature-rich; with a list long enough to take on a luxury car. From Sat-nav, a trip computer, a reversing camera, electric folding mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and even cruise control, this car is equipped to take on luxury cars that it will also have to battle with. However, here too, Tata could have done better. The buttons on the central console are tiny, audio controls are placed just where you place your hands on the wheel, and the functionality of the GPS system is very poor.

RIDE AND HANDLING

The Aria isn't as neat a handler or as car-like to drive but it isn't too far off the mark either. It feels manageable in city traffic, the reversing camera helps you park and in isolation isn't too bad on the highway. The steering is well weighted and pretty accurate, the front wheels are keen to turn in and visibility from the high seating position is good. But there's too much body roll. Tata, in an effort to improve ride quality, has softened the suspension and sacrificed body control which shows up on the highway. The Aria doesn't take to tight and twisting sections and feels heavy and unwieldy when you ask for a change in direction.

The flipside however is that the Aria's ride quality is improved at low city speeds. The suspension feels more absorbent and you are more insulated from bad patches. The Aria's 4x4 system is valuable, particularly in drenched and slushy conditions where the additional traction proves very supportive.

Tata Aria Pride  Type 2.2 L vtt DiCOR Displacement 2179 cc Power 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) @ 4000 rpm Torque 320 Nm @1700 rpm Valve Mechanism DOHC Cylinder Configuration Inline 4 Fuel Type Diesel Fuel System DICOR Minimum Turning Radius 6 metres Wheel size 6.5Jx17 Tyres 235/65 R 17