By Clive Moleme

On the outside, it looks modern enough. Clean lines, neat proportions, it gives the impression of a car that’s ready to compete in today’s market. But once you start interacting with it, that illusion fades slightly.

Let’s start with the engine. A 1.2-L 3-cylinder producing 63kW feels underpowered. Around town, it’s manageable, but once you hit open roads or highways, it starts to feel strained. Overtaking requires planning, patience, a double-check, more patience, and sometimes a bit of faith.

The driving experience doesn’t help much either. The steering lacks confidence at higher speeds, and overall, it doesn’t feel as planted as you’d want it to. It’s not unsafe, but it’s not particularly reassuring either. Even at its price point of R189,900, more is expected.

Inside is where some of the biggest gaps also show. Basic functionality is there, but key features feel outdated. A boot that still opens with a key? Rear seats that don’t split? These are small things individually, but together they paint a picture of a car that’s behind the curve in a market that has moved on significantly.

That said, it’s not without purpose. It’s simple, relatively affordable, and will get you from A to B without drama, while offering some nice technology features, as long as expectations are kept in check, because tech alone can only go so far in masking the overall feeling of quality.

The Tiago does the basics and not much more. In a segment that’s moving forward quickly, it risks being left behind.