2026 Tata Tiago.ev First Drive Review: The New Benchmark for Entry-Level Electrics

The design update to the Tiago.ev has given it a distinct appearance which is more in line with its all-electric nature. Unlike the ICE model, there are no contrasting black grilles or panels, the front bumper is finished in body colour instead. This gives the Tiago.ev a clean and almost monolithic front profile that goes well with the pair of angular LED headlamps.

The wheel arch cladding and other bits on the Tiago.ev are made out of 20 percent recycled plastic now and get a special grainy texture with a dark grey finish. The 14-inch steel rims come with aero-style wheel covers that look good. The car I drove was the top-end Creative+ 24 variant, so it also had blacked-out ORVMs and a contrasting black roof. The Dehradun Dew (pistachio green) colour that I drove is an exclusive shade for the Tiago.ev.

The rear design of the new Tiago.ev looks sportier thanks to the connected taillamp design. It also makes the hatchback appear wider than it is. The pronounced rear diffuser area adds the right amount of angles to make the car look futuristic and up to date.

The Tiago.ev's cabin has been redesigned for a modern feel. The two horizontal displays, floating-style door handles and space grey hard plastics leave a lasting impression. The pastel turquoise, soft-touch fabric on the dashboard, door panels and armrest looks refreshing. A sense of space is added by the light grey headliner and white pillar inserts made of recycled plastics, the windows are large, just like the earlier model.

The seats get light grey fabric upholstery and there is improved thigh support for front passengers this time around. The 10.24-inch infotainment touchscreen has wireless smartphone connectivity and also doubles up as the new 360-degree parking camera viewfinder and the display for the blind-spot monitors. The Digital Island cluster with a 5-inch LCD is identical to the ICE model, except the readings here provide EV-related information such as range, brake regeneration level and State of Charge (SoC).

The other considerable updates include a cruise control function and rear AC vents for the backseat passengers. Both are welcome additions in the entry-level EV segment.

The cabin feels easy to be in, thanks to the carefully selected colour mix of light grey, pastel green and white hard plastics. Build quality also felt solid, thanks to hard plastics dominating the melange.

This is where Tata Motors deserves applause for the new Tiago.ev. Despite having the battery pack under the rear seat and cargo area, the Tiago.ev's boot space is 240 litres, which is only 2 litres less than the ICE model. It is deep enough to accommodate small suitcases while still retaining the parcel tray, which is available as standard equipment.

Between the front and back of the cabin, there are ample storage compartments for cups/bottles and other small items, making the space equally practical. The glovebox is cooled and the armrest opens up to offer additional storage space for knick-knacks. The designers have also given a dedicated smartphone holder with space for two devices. It gets a rubberised finish to keep the items in place while driving around and my smartphone was held firmly in its place during my drive.

Being a facelift, Tata Motors has not changed the drivetrain of the new Tiago.ev, which had been modernised recently with the long-range battery variants.

It continues to get the 19.2 kWh (medium-range) and the 24 kWh (long-range) battery pack options. The car that I drove had the larger battery, which now comes with an unlimited-kilometre, lifetime warranty. This solves a key reliability concern for first-time buyers. Just like the older model, the Tiago.ev's 55 kW (74.4 PS) and 114 Nm of torque output feels adequate across scenarios. Between the Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes, the hatchback will either feel laid back and 'mileage-conscious,' or quick in a straight line with an equally fast drop in range.

Tata Motors claims that the Tiago.ev LR has a C75-rated real-world range of up to 215 Km. C75 is a voluntary EV driving range rating introduced by Tata.ev to determine real-world range. Based on the 150 wh/km average energy consumption during my driving experience, that real-life figure isn't off by a great margin. In Sport mode, however, the average consumption can jump up to 210 wh/km, enough to drain the battery SoC by double digits in a matter of minutes. However, the facelifted Tiago.ev supports up to 30 kW fast charging, which can potentially add 100 km of range in 18 minutes.

The four-level brake regeneration at level 3 feels like the Tiago.ev offers a one-pedal driving experience in moving traffic. However, the car does not come to a complete halt even at the most aggressive regen setting, so technically it is not single-pedal driving. The suspension setup of the EV feels well-tuned for comfort across large speed breakers, potholes and bad patches. Sudden direction changes at high speeds, or hard braking, lead to pitching and leaning, which does not feel welcome.

Overall, the Tiago.ev feels and drives like an electric vehicle which is purpose-built for Indian cities with dense traffic. It is small enough to fit into tight parking spots but still offers ample room for four adults and a child. All this, while being a proper hatchback that comes with four doors. Highway driving behaviour does not feel like a compromise and the standard 6 airbags and new electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control give confidence on open highways.

This is where the BaaS price of Rs 4.69 lakh comes in. At this price, you can drive home a Tiago.ev for the price of a base model Tiago petrol. An attractive proposition. Moreover, this makes the Tiago.ev more accessible than the MG Comet and the Citroen eC3.

Even with the battery included, the Tiago.ev has a starting price of Rs 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the medium-range model and Rs 9.49 lakh (ex-showroom) for the long-range model. Both prices are lower than respective rivals, both variants offer better equipment, practicality and build quality than the competition.

If the Rs 4.69 lakh BaaS price sounds interesting, keep in mind that you will have to pay a monthly battery EMI of Rs 2.60 per kilometre to avail the scheme. At an average running cost of Rs 1,200 for 1,000 km every month, you will add Rs 2,600 in battery rental and spend an indicative Rs 3,800. That figure is still almost half of the Rs 6,800 indicated running cost of a Tiago petrol for the same 1,000 km.

In the long-term, the benefit here is in the lower upfront cost under the BaaS subscription scheme. However, it does make you compromise on having total ownership of the EV

The Tiago.ev facelift feels like an important launch for Tata Motors because of the attention to detail they have put into its design, features, pricing and ownership benefits. With a shrinking market share that has gradually been lost to rivals like MG Motor India in the compact SUV segment, the new Tiago.ev, with its proper hatchback foundation, feels like a counter-strategy to corner the EV market share, under the sub-Rs 10 lakh entry-point.

Buyers, on the other hand, benefit because they get a swanky little hatchback, segment-leading features and a lifetime warranty to keep ownership concerns in check. Because of that mix, I believe that the new Tiago.ev is a good choice for someone who is buying their first EV. Daily office and city commutes will be a breeze but inter-state travel will still need consideration due to the small size of the battery packs.