Tata Tigor EV First Drive Review - 2021

Tata Tigor EV is the most affordable electric car for the people of India with a combustion-engined alternative. Buying an EV has now become affordable with Tata’s second electric vehicle which is the right thing for private car buyers. Our Tata Tigor review gives you the complete idea about its design, features, space, range, performance and charging time.

Tata Tigor EV– Look And Style

Tata has made some changes in this new Teal Blue paint scheme. There is a body-coloured panel with Tata’s tri-arrow motif and blue highlights surrounding the front grille and bumpers with EV badges all around. These blue highlights look good on Daytona Grey paint which is the other colour option for this model.

You can bring about a dual-tone treatment which gives you a blacked-out roof and ORVMs by spending Rs 15,000. The wheels are not alloys but steel rim with plastic wheel covers. Tata Tigor EV gets projector headlamps, LED tail lamp inserts and, LED DRLs like the ICE Tigor.

The blue highlights are present in the cabin, around the aircon vents and also the instrument console. The color highlights are also present in the seat padding.

Digital instrument panel with EV specific displays for range, battery level and gauges power consumption is also present. The gear lever of the petrol variant is replaced by a rotary dial for drive, sport, reverse and neutral modes. A brighter backlighting for the selected mode is need to make it visible in the daytime.

Tata Tigor – Battery and Charging

The pre-facelift Tata Tigor EV renamed as Xpres-T EV has smaller batteries and 75V architecture which is suitable for commercial owners. Whereas the Tata Tigor EV has the 350V Ziptron electric fitted in Nexon EV which is suitable for individual owners. The only difference is that the size of the battery is 26 kWh while the size of Nexon EV’s 30.2 kWh. The Tigor EV which is 165 kg lighter with a less powerful motor, the ARAI range estimate is not so less than Nexon EV’s at 306 km. It gives 224 km on full charge. A range test in city and highway driving gave a range of 204 km. Depending on usage cycle, nearly 220 to 230 km seems is possible. A weatherproof and impact protected liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack is an advantage. The Tigor EV can charge from 0 to 80% using a 25 kW CCS2 fast charger in 65 min but it will take 8.5 hours if you use a regular three pin socket.

Tata Tigor EV Driving

When you start the EV, it impresses you with its immediate response and a spacecraft-like buzz and the instant torque delivery of an electric motor. This motor’s 75PS and 170 Nm is enough to give you an uninterrupted, hassle-free drive on the busy city roads. The standard D mode has a limited Torque of 140 Nm.

When you switch to the Sport mode, surprisingly for a car of this price range, Tigor EV will give you 0 to 100 kmph in 13s. The Nexon EV gives a disturbed feeling on the sudden burst of torque but Tigor EV feels more natural in the sports mode. Except for some torque steer under heavy acceleration, the progress is excellent.

Tata Tigor EV Space and Seats

The space is generous and airy. The driving position is easy because of the height adjustment options. The rotary dial occupies a very little space which is a good aspect but front door pockets could have been a little smaller. The cushion with blue highlights is soft and supportive. The door elbow rests and headliner also are lined with the same material. Rear seat room in the Tigor EV is also sufficient even though battery pack lies underneath. The floor and seats offer good leg comfort, under-thigh support and easy backrest angle. There are no adjustable rear headrests.

Safety

The Tata Tigor EV is the first EV to achieve 4 stars for both adult as well as child occupants, tested by Global NCAP, in the #SaferCarsForIndia crash test. The EV has two airbags. Both and driver and passengers have adequate safety in this vehicle.

Verdict

Tata Tigor has all the qualities of the best EV at the best affordable cost. It would be the most suitable vehicle for private owners who would travel to office or business on a daily basis. Using electric charge instead of fuels is a great aspect. You can have a very comfortable journey with your family on weekends. You can travel smoothly on highways and without jerking or jolting on local roads. The specific suspension, steering tune, low mounted battery pack, the steady and still feeling of passengers on Tata Tigor on all speeds with very little thuds , efficient-focused tyres, standard climate and well-controlled body movements are some of the advantages.

Tata Tigor EV specifications

*LxWxH: 3,993×1,677×1,532mm
*Electric Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor (FWD)
*Battery Pack: 26kWh
*Power: 75bhp
*Range : 306km
*Torque: 170Nm
*0-60kmph : 5.7s
*Wheelbase: 2,450mm
*Kerb weight: 1,235kg
*Boot space: 316 litres
*Tyres: 175/65 R14
*0 to 80% charge: 5hr 45min with regular 15A socket
*0 to 80% charge: 65min with 25kW DC charger
*Battery and motor warranty: 8 years/1,60,000km
*Vehicle warranty: 3 years/1,25,000km