Drivetrain and Performance
The 2.2-litre engine is the same as we’ve seen on the Safari DiCOR, producing an identical 140 PS and 320 Nm of torque. It copes well enough with the weight of the vehicle and you don’t feel as if you’re lacking in power. There’s a slight bit of lag low down the rev range, but it disappears quickly enough, meaning the Aria motors competently. It attains 100 km/h in 15.35 seconds, which is not bad for a vehicle of this size. The drivability is pretty good, too, and the engine doesn’t feel too stressed on the highway. The gears shift smoothly, better than on the Safari, in fact, and there is a lightness to the controls which belies this vehicle’s size. Braking is similarly composed and the Aria stops dead from 100 km/h within 46.94 metres, taking 3.27 seconds in the process. 
One of the Aria’s unique features is that its default mode is four-wheel drive with a torque vectoring system which automatically directs torque to the front wheels as and when required (Tata have dubbed this ‘Adapterra’). The two-wheel drive can be selected by pressing a button on the dashboard, which decouples the output to the front wheels, making for better fuel economy.
The Aria manages a respectable 10.6 kpl overall, which isn’t segment beating, but is quite competent none the less. Interestingly, the Aria has a sticker on the windscreen with recommended in-gear speeds, which indicates that for high-speed cruising one would be well advised to leave the four-wheel drive system ‘on’.
Safety
The Aria comes with a host of safety features, including six airbags, an electronic stability programme (ESP) with traction control (TC), which together make it one of the safest vehicles in its class. The ESP and TC should ensure that you never get into a tight spot, but if you do, you have the reassurance of six airbags, including curtain bags that stretch the length of the cabin.
Value
The Aria is available in three versions – Pleasure, Prestige and Pride – with prices ranging from Rs 13 lakh to Rs 15.8 lakh (ex-showroom). At these prices, it isn’t cheap and, although the four-wheel drive system comes as standard, it’s hard to justify the price in the light of the competition. All three versions are well kitted-out, but the mid-level Prestige seems to be the best vaue for money, offering everything from the Pride save for the reverse camera, ESP and the curtain airbags.
CAPTION
1. Sunvisors have extenders, which are a useful touch
2. Steering wheel-mounted buttons are awkwardly placed
3. Top-of-the-line Pride variant gets a reverse camera; Pleasure and Prestige make do with parking sensors
4. The rear quarters are strictly meant for kids
