A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
UNI-S holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Tiago.
Tiago starts ZAR 200,000 cheaperTiago from ZAR 189,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Tiago
UNI-S
Maximum Power
Tiago63 kW @ 6000 rpm
UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque
Tiago113 Nm @ 3300 rpm
UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size
Tiago1199 cc
UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Tiago20.00 km/l
UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance
Tiago170 mm
UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Tata Tiago
1.2 XZ+ MT
Hagalu editorial rating
4.2/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Tiago
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
UNI-S
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Tiago
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
UNI-S
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
First-generation South African-market Tata Tiago five-door hatchback
First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History
Introduced with Tata Passenger Vehicles' South African return in 2025; no South African facelift has been announced
No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact hatchback
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger Car
Passenger car
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Length
3767 mm
4539 mm
Width
1677 mm
1865 mm
Height
1535 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2400 mm
2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
170 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
134 mm
167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
242 l
475 l
Kerb Weight
982 kg
1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1382 kg
1825 kg
Payload Capacity
400 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
0 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.0 m
5.66 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
920 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
820 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
860 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Engine
1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
NE15TG-AC
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1199 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
3
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
12
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
77 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
85.8 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
63 kW @ 6000 rpm
138 kW
Maximum Torque
113 Nm @ 3300 rpm
300 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
5-Speed Manual
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
160 km/h
190 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
3 selectable modes
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
64.2 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
115.1 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Gearbox
5-Speed Manual
7-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Not Officially Disclosed
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
4.06
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
5
7
Transmission Type
Manual
DCT
Clutch Type
Dry single-plate clutch
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Manual gear lever
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Manual
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
5
7
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Claimed Mileage
20.00 km/l
14.49 km/l
City Mileage
13.3 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
16.6 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
51 l
Emission Standard
BS VI Phase 2
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
20.00 km/l
14.49 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
35
51
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Not Available
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Yes
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Side Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Not Available
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear (6 sensors)
Rear View Camera
HD Reverse Parking Digital Camera
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
HD Reverse Parking Digital Camera
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Park Assist
Not Available
Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Around View Monitor
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Yes
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Seat Material
Melange Fabric Seats
Microfiber leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Front seat cushions
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Not Available
Microfiber leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustable
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual slide and recline
4-way electric
Seat Trim
Melange Fabric Seats
Microfiber leather
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Climate Control
Fully Automatic
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
All four windows; one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Passive entry
Push Button Start
Not Available
Yes
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Electric panoramic sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Fully Automatic
Automatic climate control
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Infotainment System
10.25" Floating Touchscreen Infotainment System
12.8-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Connectivity
Yes
Android Auto
Wireless Connectivity
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
New Advanced Fully Digital Cluster
10.25-inch instrument display
USB Ports
Standard
1 USB-A and 1 USB-C in front
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch
12.8-inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch
12.8-inch
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Standard
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Not Available
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Pristine White, Ocean Blue, Daytona Grey, Arizona Blue
Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, Fluorite Grey, Moon White
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Yes
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Tyre Size
175/60 R15
225/55 R19
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Steel spare wheel, 155/80 R15, Steel
Temporary-use spare
Wheel Rim Size
15-inch
19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Manual handbrake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Front Suspension
Independent, Lower wishbone, McPherson (Dual Path ) strut type
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Rear Twist Beam with coil spring mounted on Hydraulic shock absorbers
Multi-link independent
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
CO2 Emissions
119 g/km
179 g/km
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Service Plan
2 years / 30,000 km
5 years / 90,000 km
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Ownership Role
New passenger vehicle
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
224900 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Recommended retail price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
224900
469900
Starting Price Zar
224900
469900
Spec
Tiago
UNI-S
Warranty
5 years / 125,000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
In depth: how these cars differ
This Tiago and UNI-S comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Tiago 30 vs UNI-S 59.
Efficiency index: Tiago 75 vs UNI-S 55.
Safety-equipment index: Tiago 44 vs UNI-S 92.
Practicality index: Tiago 53 vs UNI-S 68.
Ownership-cover index: Tiago not separately scored vs UNI-S not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Tiago and UNI-S image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
UNI-S leads by 20 points
UNI-S holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Tiago.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
UNI-S
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
68/100
Tiago
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
75/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
53/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan UNI-S
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 49 pts for Tiago
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S leads. However, Tiago may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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