Tata Aeris Is India’s Proton Saga

In India, a budget sub-4m sedan like the Tata Aeris starts off at just RM22,000.

The budget sedan market in India just got a new entry in the form of the Tata Aeris. This newly-launched 3-box vehicle starts at a much lower price than the Proton Saga does here in Malaysia, but it is also noticeably smaller.

Starting at an introductory ₹5.29 lakh (approximately RM22,000) and rising to ₹9.74 lakh for the flagship grade, the Aeris is primarily targeted at India’s domestic sub-four-metre compact segment. However, there may be room for it to be exported to ASEAN developing markets should regional demand for ultra-affordable sedans present itself. Hey, we’ve even heard strong rumours the brand is coming here too.

Most Malaysians will be unfamiliar with Tata’s lineup of passenger cars, and so they will not realise that the Aeris is not an entirely clean-sheet platform. It serves as the direct successor to the Tata Tigor, another A-segment notchback sedan that first debuted in 2017. Both vehicles are powered by Tata’s proven 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Revotron engine, a simple naturally aspirated motor that can run on both petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG).

Familiar Revotron Engine with Factory i-CNG Bi-Fuel Option

Under the hood, the Aeris carries forward the mechanically simple powertrain architecture of the outgoing Tigor. This 1.2L delivers just 86PS and 113 Nm of torque and can be paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Opting for the i_CNG Bi-Fuel variant gives customers the choice of running the car on compressed natural gas, which is cheaper but cuts output down to just 73.5PS and 96.5Nm of torque.

Sub-4-Metre Dimensions and Fresh Exterior Styling

Engineered to slip beneath India’s sub-4-metre tax threshold, the Aeris measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,684 mm in width, and rides on a 2,450 mm wheelbase with an unladen ground clearance of 170 mm.

By comparison, the Proton Saga measures 4,335 mm in length with a 2,465 mm wheelbase, placing the Malaysian car closer to traditional B-segment proportions. Despite the compact footprint, the Aeris provides a generous 419-litre boot capacity, accommodating family luggage with ease.

Visually, the Aeris discards the older Tigor’s rounded front end in favor of Tata’s sharp modern design language. The raised hood line is framed by slim eyebrow-style LED daytime running lights, angular LED headlamps, and a sculpted lower air intake. Fresh character creases along the doors, dark-finish alloy wheels, and revised rear bumper detailing give the sedan a much wider and more contemporary road presence.

Tech-Focused Cabin with Segment-First Ventilated Seats

Inside, the cabin takes a significant leap forward in perceived quality and convenience technology across its five trim grades: Smart, Pure, Pure+, Creative, and Accomplished:

Display Architecture: Mid- and high-spec variants receive a floating 10.25-inch central touchscreen infotainment unit supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a digital instrument cluster.

Segment-First Comfort: The top-tier Accomplished trim introduces front ventilated seats—a feature typically reserved for vehicles two segments higher—alongside leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, a 360-degree surround-view camera system with a built-in dashcam recorder, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Safety Equipment: Standard safety hardware across the range includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), and rear parking sensors, building on the platform’s solid four-star Global NCAP crash protection pedigree.

Bookings for the Tata Aeris are officially open across authorized dealerships in India, with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in October 2026.