The Tata Tiago.ev is the kind of electric vehicle that does not indulge in theatrics, just a smart city EV with enough punch to keep you ahead of traffic, big or small. It does what many buyers expect from an everyday EV, efficient and reasonably enjoyable to drive. We spent time with the Long Range (LR) version of the Tiago.ev to see how it performs as a daily urban commuter, and if it manages to justify its place in the increasingly competitive entry-EV space.
Design Is Familiar Yet Fresh
The Tiago.ev carries over much of the design language of the standard Tiago petrol hatchback, with subtle EV-specific touches. Blue accents around the grille and bumper, a closed-off nose, EV badging and dual-tone paint options give it a distinct identity without appearing overly futuristic. The silhouette remains compact and city-friendly, while the 14-inch wheels maintain a decent ride height for urban road conditions. This chill lime colour is funky to look at, and grabs a lot of eyeballs. Also, the door handles with piano black inserts are supremely functional, thank Tata for not plaguing the Tiago.ev with the stupid flush handles.
The LED headlamps are very good indeed at night. Boot space at 240 litres is adequate for daily errands, although the floor height is slightly raised due to the battery pack, but is still manageable. In terms of practicality, this is a sensible five-door hatch that makes the EV transition feel less intimidating to first-time buyers.
Interior Is Functional Over Flashy
Step inside the Tiago.ev LR and the dashboard will feel immediately familiar if you've been in any recent Tata model. The design is straightforward, and the controls are well laid out. The 7-inch Harman infotainment touchscreen supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the higher trims, and sound quality from the four-speaker system is acceptable. The screen position is excellent, and the air conditioning vents are not set too low in the dashboard. This improves AC performance for city use.
The EV-specific digital instrument cluster is basic in its readout but does the job. It displays battery percentage, range estimates, energy flow and driving mode. But it is just too basic, maybe the cluster from the Punch can be migrated for the Tiago.ev as well. Tata has also included connected car tech through ZConnect, offering remote commands, charging status monitoring and geo-fencing. However, there is no rear wiper or adjustable rear headrests, which feel like rude omissions at this price point.
City-Calibrated Dynamics
The Long Range version of the Tiago.ev is powered by a 24 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, delivering a peak output of 74 bhp and 114 Nm of torque. It is mated to a single-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The 60 bhp MR medium-range more affordable variant has a smaller 19.2 kWh battery pack.
In real-world conditions, the Tiago.ev LR feels brisk up to 80 kmph. Acceleration is linear and predictable in both City and Sport modes. Find the smallest little gaps and gun it through with a smile. Sport mode sharpens throttle response noticeably but eats into the range. In stop-go traffic, the car feels well-suited for darting through gaps without fuss. The regenerative braking has three levels that can be adjusted to make the driving more intuitive.
The ride quality, like most Tata products, is mature and well damped for a small EV. It handles broken tarmac and potholes without much fuss. Body roll is pretty much well controlled at city speeds and the steering is light, which helps in tight spaces. At higher speeds, though, the cabin becomes a bit noisy and the car starts to feel slightly out of its comfort zone.
Range & Charging
Tata claims an ARAI-certified range of 315 km for the Tiago.ev Long Range. In our real-world usage, which included commutes, occasional highway bits and use of both drive modes, the car delivered around 200–230 km on a full charge conservatively. Were you to drive it to its full potential, these numbers will further drop according to the number of passengers and air conditioning use. And since this is a city car, this matters a lot. Extensive use will make you look for a charger regularly.
The battery can be charged from 10% to 100% using a 3.3 kW AC home charger in about 8.7 hours. With a 7.2 kW AC fast charger (available in higher trims), the charging time drops to approximately 3.6 hours. DC fast charging (50 kW) allows a 10% to 80% top-up in under an hour, which is not just handy for intercity use, but almost essential for small battery packs.
Safety & Ownership
The Tiago.ev is based on the same structure as the ICE Tiago, which has scored four stars in Global NCAP crash tests. Safety equipment includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, tyre pressure monitoring system and a rear parking camera. All variants come with IP67-rated battery protection and an 8-year/1.6 lakh km warranty on the battery and motor.
We heavily rely on Tata's extensive EV ecosystem. This includes the growing EZ Charge network, mobile service support, and bundled home charger, designed to make EV ownership less cumbersome for new buyers.
The Tata Tiago.ev Long Range is not trying to be a statement piece, and not overflowing with gimmicks. What it does offer is a grounded electric experience in a proven hatchback format. For urban users who drive around 40–60 km daily and want a fuss-free electric vehicle under INR 12 lakh bracket, this car delivers where it matters. It certainly brings the fun element in its compact dimensions.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
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