Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus

Buying a new car is a big decision, especially in India where we look at so many things. Is it budget-friendly? How safe is it for our family? What about monthly maintenance costs? Does it have all the latest features we want? And, importantly, how good is the company’s service network? These are crucial questions. Today, we're taking a deep dive into an electric car that aims to tick many of these boxes for Indian buyers: the new Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus. Let’s find out if this electric sedan from Tata Motors is the right fit for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus is powered by a high-performance electric motor designed for efficient city driving and comfortable highway cruising. Here are the key details:

• Motor Type: Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor
• Max Power: 55 kW (75 PS)
• Peak Torque: 170 Nm
• Acceleration: 0 to 60 kmph in just 5.7 seconds, offering brisk performance for city overtakes.

Design Overview

The Tigor EV carries forward the familiar and well-accepted design of the standard Tigor, with subtle EV-specific enhancements.

• Exterior:
  • It maintains its compact sedan silhouette, perfect for navigating Indian city traffic.
  • Blue accents around the Humanity Line grille and EV badging signify its electric nature.
  • Stylish projector headlamps and LED DRLs give it a modern look.
  • The 14-inch hyperstyle wheels add to its appealing stance.
• Interior:
  • The cabin feels familiar and well-appointed for its segment.
  • It features a dual-tone black and beige theme with blue accents, carrying over the EV identity.
  • The seats are comfortable, offering decent support for short and medium commutes.
  • Quality of materials is good, typical of Tata cars, giving a sense of durability.

Key Features

The Tigor EV XZ Plus variant is packed with features to enhance your driving experience:

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system by Harman with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wired)
• Connected Car Technology (ZConnect) with 35+ features like remote vehicle control, location-based services, and safety alerts
• Automatic climate control for comfortable cabin temperatures
• Multi-mode regenerative braking for improved range
• Digital instrument cluster providing essential driving information
• Push-button start/stop
• Electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs
• Reverse parking camera with dynamic guidelines and parking sensors
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for optimal tyre health
• Cruise control for relaxed highway driving
• Smartwatch connectivity for car controls

Ground Clearance

The Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus offers a good ground clearance of 172 mm (unladen), which is quite practical for Indian road conditions, helping you navigate speed breakers and rough patches with ease.

Boot Space

Despite being an electric vehicle with the battery pack placed underneath, the Tigor EV offers a respectable boot space of 316 Litres. This is ample for your daily errands, weekend luggage, or grocery runs, making it a practical family car.

Dimensions

Understanding the car's dimensions is important for parking and garage fit. Here are the measurements:

• Length: 3993 mm
• Width: 1677 mm
• Height: 1532 mm
• Wheelbase: 2450 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus comes with a single, highly optimized electric powertrain. It features a 26 kWh liquid-cooled, high-energy density Li-ion battery pack, which offers an impressive ARAI certified range of 315 km on a single charge. While the ARAI range is laboratory tested, you can expect a practical real-world range of around 200-250 km depending on your driving style, traffic conditions, and use of AC. Charging options include DC fast charging (0-80% in about 59 minutes with a 25kW DC charger) and standard 15A plug point charging at home.

Safety Features

Safety is a cornerstone of Tata Motors, and the Tigor EV XZ Plus is no exception. It comes loaded with features to keep you and your family safe:

• Dual Front Airbags (driver and co-driver)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Corner Stability Control (CSC) for enhanced handling around bends
• Hill Ascent Assist and Hill Descent Assist for easier driving on inclines
• Reverse Parking Camera with sensors
• Speed Alert System
• Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock
• Auto Headlamps
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• IP67 rated battery pack and motor, offering superior dust and water resistance.

NCAP Rating Table

The Tata Tigor EV has demonstrated its strong safety credentials in independent crash tests.

This 4-star rating from Global NCAP underscores Tata’s commitment to passenger safety, making the Tigor EV one of the safest electric cars in its segment.

Rivals of Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus

In the competitive Indian EV market, the Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus faces off against some interesting rivals:

• Tata Tiago EV: A hatchback sibling offering similar technology in a more compact and slightly more affordable package.
• MG Comet EV: A unique, ultra-compact city EV focused on urban commuting.
• Citroen eC3: An electric crossover offering a different body style and a focus on comfort.

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Let's weigh the good and the not-so-good about the Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus to help you decide.

Pros

• Affordable Electric Mobility: One of the most accessible electric sedans in India, making EV ownership more attainable.
• Good City Range: The 315 km ARAI certified range (realistic 200-250 km) is more than enough for daily commutes and city drives.
• Proven Safety: A 4-star Global NCAP rating provides immense peace of mind.
• Low Running Costs: Electric cars significantly reduce your fuel expenses compared to petrol/diesel cars.
• Smooth and Silent Drive: The electric powertrain offers a refined, vibration-free, and quiet driving experience.
• Established Service Network: Tata Motors has a wide service network across India, which is a major advantage for EV owners.
• Decent Features: The XZ Plus variant offers a good set of modern features for convenience and connectivity.

Cons

• Highway Range Anxiety: While decent for city, long highway trips might require careful planning due to current charging infrastructure limitations.
• Rear Seat Space: Taller passengers might find rear legroom a bit tight on longer journeys.
• Lack of Some Premium Features: Misses out on some features found in newer or pricier EVs like a sunroof, wireless phone charging, or a 360-degree camera.
• Design Ageing: The overall design, while neat, is starting to show its age compared to some newer, more radical EV designs.

Conclusion

The Tata Tigor EV XZ Plus truly shines as a practical, safe, and value-for-money electric sedan for the Indian market. It offers a comfortable ride, a respectable range for most urban users, and the peace of mind that comes with Tata’s robust build quality and extensive service network. If you are looking to make the switch to electric and want a car that is dependable, safe, and won't break the bank on running costs, the Tigor EV XZ Plus is definitely a strong contender. It’s a smart choice for families and individuals prioritizing efficiency, safety, and a smooth driving experience in their everyday commute.