2025 Tata Tiago EV First Drive Review: A Refreshed Electric Hatchback Worth Considering?

Can a budget electric vehicle deliver a compelling blend of style, features, and practicality in 2025? The updated Tata Tiago EV aims to answer this with a refreshed design, enhanced cabin features, and its hallmark affordability. As one of India’s most accessible EVs, this hatchback competes in a niche segment. Here’s our first-drive impression of what’s new and whether it stands up.

2025 Tata Tiago EV: Design and Features

The 2025 Tata Tiago EV retains its familiar silhouette, with no dimensional changes. The exterior refresh focuses on subtle yet noticeable enhancements that add a touch of modernity. A new front grille, updated LED headlamps, and a shark-fin antenna lend it a sharper appearance. The dual-tone colour scheme, a new paint option, and piano-black accents on the ORVMs and door handles elevate its aesthetic appeal. The rear now features an HD reverse camera and updated badging, including a prominent Tiago EV logo on the tailgate. However, the boot space and overall proportions remain unchanged, offering decent storage for a compact hatchback.

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Inside, the cabin adopts a dual-tone dark grey and beige theme, extending to the doors for a cohesive look. A new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes centre stage, delivering crisp visuals and smooth operation with no noticeable lag. Physical buttons for air conditioning controls, boot release, and charging socket unplugging enhance usability. The dashboard features chrome-finished air vents and a piano-black panel, adding a premium touch. USB-A, USB-C, and 12V sockets cater to charging needs, while rear passengers benefit from a 12V socket and bottle holders. A new two-spoke steering wheel houses controls for the infotainment and cruise control settings. The instrument cluster, though updated, feels slightly dated despite its digital display, lacking the polish of a full-screen setup. Fabric seats offer commendable comfort, with good padding and support.

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However, some elements fall short. The drive mode selector dial’s indicator light is barely visible in bright sunlight, making it difficult to discern the active mode without checking the screen. Space remains adequate but not exceptional, with decent room for four occupants.

The 2025 Tiago EV continues to offer two battery pack options: a 19 kwh unit with a claimed range of 230 kilometres and a 24 kwh pack delivering up to 293 kilometres. In real-world conditions, the larger battery yielded around 200 kilometres in mixed city and highway driving with the air conditioning on. This makes it better suited for urban commutes rather than long and frequent highway trips. The initial pickup is brisk, typical of EVs, ensuring nimble performance in traffic. Handling is predictable, with precise braking and a well-tuned suspension that absorbs potholes and speed bumps effectively. The gear selector feels crisper than before, addressing previous lag issues.

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The driving experience is tailored for city use, with adequate power for daily commutes. The comfortable seats and refined suspension enhance ride quality, making it a practical choice for urban dwellers. However, the real-world range may disappoint those expecting closer to the claimed figures, particularly for highway use.

The 2025 Tata Tiago EV brings meaningful updates that enhance its appeal in the budget EV segment. Its sharp front-end design, sporty aesthetics, and comfortable cabin make it a standout. The 10.25-inch touchscreen and improved rear camera quality are welcome additions, as is the refined suspension and seat comfort. However, the real-world range of around 200 kilometres may not suffice for frequent highway travellers, and minor issues like the drive mode dial’s poor visibility in sunlight detract from the experience.

Compared to rivals like the Citroen C3, the Tiago EV offers better comfort, features and a five-door layout compared to MG Comet EV. For city commuters seeking a practical, feature-rich EV with decent comfort, the 2025 Tiago EV is a strong contender. Those prioritising long-range or premium interiors may need to look elsewhere. Tata has crafted a compelling package, but there’s room for refinement in range and minor ergonomics to truly elevate the experience.