If you’re wondering, how it compares to the Tigor EV with the torque deficit, don’t worry. The Tiago EV feels very similar to drive due to the lower kerb weight (86 kg lighter) and the tuning of the motor.

Driving the Tata Tiago EV

The car that we got to drive was the long-range variant with the 24kWh battery pack. It has a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that puts out 74 BHP & 114 Nm of torque:

Before we get to the driving part, let’s get some basics right. There are 3 main components in an EV – the battery, the motor, and the controller/charger. The battery is what stores the energy and the motor is what uses that energy to move the car. The controller/charger converts the energy from the battery into a usable form to power the motor. In more technical terms, the power grid from your house or a charging station is usually an AC current. The lithium-ion battery can store electric energy in DC form. So while charging, there’s an AC/DC converter that will convert the power grid's AC into DC and store it in your car’s battery. The DC fast chargers that you see usually have the AC/DC converter inbuilt, which is how they can charge your car’s battery faster. The controller typically sits on top of the motor. In the case of the Tiago EV, the controller and motor are placed under the bonnet.

The Tiago EV shares its powertrain with the Tigor EV. However, there are a few differences. The torque rating is down by 56 Nm in the Tiago EV. Both have a claimed 0-60 km/h time of 5.7 seconds, despite the Tigor EV being heavier. The tuning is different on both cars and it’s worth noting that the maximum motor rpm of the Tiago EV is higher than that of the Tigor EV. Now, let’s get to the driving part. People driving an EV for the first time will need to get used to the eerie silence after pressing the start/stop button, but it takes just a couple of drives to feel comfortable with it. There are 4 transmission modes to choose from – D, R, N, and S. ‘D’ mode is more designed for city driving conditions, while ‘S’ mode is when you want that extra power (at the cost of FE, which in this case, is the battery charge level). The rotary dial for transmission modes is not very intuitive and a traditional AT gear lever with slots would’ve been preferred. Tata has integrated their recent electric cars with a useful feature to go with this rotary transmission dial. Say you’re at a traffic signal, you no longer have to switch to ‘N’ and pull the handbrake. You can just pull the handbrake in ‘D’ mode and the creep function is disengaged, so the car won’t move. Neat integration, but the customers will have to be educated about this.

As a safety feature, the car will always start in "N" mode. Engage D, take your foot off the brake pedal and the Tiago EV gets off the line in a perfectly smooth manner, crawling at 6 km/h. It’s very linear and without any jerks. Driving around in "D" mode within the city is a super convenient affair. No clutch, no gears, no turbo lag & no noise means even a newbie driver will seem like a smooth one. The motor has sufficient torque, but it is used conservatively in "D" mode for a smoother driving experience & to maximize driving range. Think of "D" being more like "ECO" mode. Performance in D mode is decent, but that's it. You won’t have any issues keeping up with city traffic & power is sufficient for day-to-day commuting. When you want to suddenly accelerate from say 40 - 50 km/h though, you will feel the power deficit & it feels like a 1.2L NA petrol! If you want quicker acceleration, simply switch to "S" mode and you’ll notice a BIG difference in the way the power is put down. The throttle response is much sharper and you get a stronger surge of power. Added bonus = in "S", you'll see the power gauge on the left showing a redline at the limit (via 3 red bars), just like a conventional rev counter.

Out on the open road, D mode is adequate for regular drivers. You can cruise comfortably on the expressway. However, if you need to execute an overtaking manoeuvre quickly, S mode comes in handy. You'll also find yourself engaging "S" mode whenever you are in the mood for some fun. The Tiago EV feels peppy in Sport mode, even on the open road. Power is delivered strongly till 100 km/h, after which it starts to taper off. The Tiago EV's top speed is limited to ~120 km/h and progress from 110 - 120 km/h is quite slow. Must add that electric cars aren't good at high-speed cruising, from the range point of view. Drive continuously at 110 - 120 km/h in "S" mode and you'll see the battery level drop alarmingly fast. That's one of the reasons you'll see most EVs driving at 80 - 90 km/h on the expressway in the middle lane. If you’re wondering, how it compares to the Tigor EV with the torque deficit, don’t worry. The Tiago EV feels very similar to drive due to the lower kerb weight (86 kg lighter) and the tuning of the motor. All in all, it is a smooth car to drive in the city and on the occasional inter-city highway trips at 80-100 km/h.

Regenerative Braking

Remember when we said Tata is updating its cars based on customer feedback? Here’s an example. The Tigor EV that we drove last year didn’t have adjustable regenerative braking. The Tiago EV gets this feature and the latest Tigor EV also has been updated with the addition of adjustable regenerative braking. Way to be proactive Tata Motors! There are 3 levels of regeneration that you can choose from. You can also turn it off completely and depend on the brakes for stopping the car. Driving with maximum level 3 regeneration, you can feel your head nod when you lift off the accelerator. It’s good for maximizing range, but not so good for smooth driving. You can switch to level 1 or 2 for smooth deceleration on lift-off. One-pedal driving is very much possible in the city with level 3 regen as the deceleration is quite strong. However, the car won't come to a complete halt. It will crawl forward and you have to apply the brakes to stop it. This is again an individual preference and we were told that depending on customer feedback, Tata will or will not make the change in the next update. This change will merely be a software update, so it can be incorporated easily.

A thoughtful integration is that in level 3 regeneration and sometimes in level 2 (if the deceleration is strong), the brake lamps light up to let the car behind know that the Tiago EV is slowing down. Another point to note is that the level 3 regeneration will not be as strong when the battery percentage is 85 and above. It’ll show that the car is on level 3, but it won’t decelerate as strongly.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)

Well, there’s no engine noise for starters! The only sound coming is a faint whirring by the electric motor. No gearshifts & minimal mechanical parts mean no jerks or vibrations. On the highway, tyre noise starts creeping into the cabin early at 80 km/h. You'll hear it more because there is no engine sound to drown some of it out.

Range

Range anxiety is a big concern with EVs. However, it’s only when you are pushing the car hard that you'll notice the range and battery percentage falling at a rapid pace. Tata Motors claims that under standard test conditions the Tiago EV has a range of 315 km, but under normal driving conditions, you can expect a range of ~200 km. This is enough for those intending to drive primarily in the city.

The range displayed on the MID varies based on the driving style of the previous driver. So, we couldn’t depend on the range readout on our test drive. There’s another useful bit of information on the MID next to the speedometer marked as ‘AEC’ which stands for average energy consumption and has a Wh/km reading. We managed to get around 140 Wh/km with ~60% driving in S mode and 40% sedate driving with maximum regeneration. If you want to calculate what that translates to in range, just divide 24,000 (24 kWh battery capacity) by the AEC reading. In this case, we got ~171 km of range, which is not bad considering the amount of time we spent in S mode. Keep the AEC number close to 120 Wh/km and that should translate to ~200 km of range which seems doable. 

Charging

Tata Motors has been working with its sister company, Tata Power, to improve the charging infrastructure levels. Also, there are multiple independent players popping up with charging stations everywhere. That said, we can tell you that the best place to charge your EV is at home. Cheapest + most convenient. At an average cost of Rs. 8 per unit, you’ll be paying Rs. 192 for a full tank at home. The estimated charging time (10% to 100%) from a 15A plug is around 8.7 hours. You can opt for the 7.2kW AC charger at your home or office for Rs 50,000 to bring down the charging time to 3.6 hours. A DC fast charger would top up the charge from 10% to 80% in just under an hour.

Suspension

Ride Comfort

The Tiago EV gets a MacPherson strut suspension with dual-path struts at the front and a twist-beam suspension at the rear. It rides on 14-inch rims shod with 175/65 section tyres. The recommended tyre pressure rating is 33 PSI all around.

Like most fossil fuel cars converted to electric, the Tiago EV's suspension has been stiffened up due to the heavy battery pack it is carrying. You'll notice the firmer suspension as soon as you start driving the car. Over some mildly uneven roads in the city at slow speeds, there is a fair bit of movement in the cabin and it even feels jiggly at times. However, the suspension is quite absorbent at low speeds and you can carry some speed over rough roads. You feel more of the road in the Tiago EV, but still, the ride quality is liveable & compliant enough on most city roads. It's only the really big bumps that come in strong, as do the sharp road dips. On the other hand, the Tiago EV rides rather flat on the expressway. At high speeds, i.e. 100 km/h, you have to be careful of the road undulations and expansion joints. 

Handling & Dynamics

There are a couple of things that aid the handling characteristics of the Tiago EV. Firstly, it’s the firmer suspension, and secondly, the heavy mechanicals (battery pack + motor) that lower the center of gravity. High-speed stability is very good and you’ll be doing 110 - 120 km/h on the expressway without feeling nervous at all.

Get on some twisty roads and you’ll appreciate the stiffer suspension. The car feels agile and you can carry good speed into corners. The suspension setup does complement the chassis well and the Tiago EV holds its line nicely. Changing direction on back-to-back corners is no problem either. You will like how the EV feels well-balanced in corners. In comparison to the Tigor EV, you don’t have the additional weight on the rear axle which is why it feels a tad bit more composed. Earlier, I had apprehensions that the heavy battery pack might cause some imbalance, but we didn't face any problem on our (admittedly) limited test drive. The only issue is the 175/65 section rubber, which is meant for maximizing range and not for pushing hard into corners. You will hear the tyres chirp when powering out of tight corners.

Steering

The electric power-assisted steering is a nice unit and is super light at parking speeds. The turning radius of 5.1 m is user-friendly and you can manoeuvre the car easily with gentle inputs on the steering. It weighs up adequately as you gain speed. It also has that typical trait in Tata’s steering where the weight is not added gradually. At ~50 km/h, you will notice that the steering wheel suddenly gets heavy. Very weird! The EPS is dead and there’s not much feel or feedback from it.

Braking

The Tiago EV gets disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. Their performance, in general, is satisfactory. However, we feel that wider tyres would definitely improve the braking performance of the car. Another sore point is that, like most EVs, the brake pedal has a spongy & rubbery feel. It feels weird at first, but you will get used to it.

Continue reading the discussion on the 2022 Tata Tiago Electric on our forum.

There are a couple of things that aid the handling characteristics of the Tiago EV. Firstly, it’s the firmer suspension, and secondly, the heavy mechanicals (battery pack + motor) that lower the center of gravity.

Tata Tiago EV Pros

• A well-rounded EV package at a sub-10 lakh rupee starting price. Total value-for-money
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• Real-world range of ~200 km is adequate for city commutes & urban dwellers
• Stupendously cheap fuel cost of 1 rupee / km (if you charge at home)
• Peppy behaviour in "S" mode! "D" mode is rather tame though
• Selectable regenerative braking is a very welcome feature
• Sorted road manners due to the lower center of gravity & firmer suspension
• Smooth drive, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Well-designed interiors are likeable & user-friendly
• Features like the 8-speaker Harman audio system, cruise control, auto headlamps & wipers, connected car tech & more
• Solid build & construction. Tigor EV's 4-star GNCAP result is reassuring

Tata Tiago EV Cons

• A stiff 4-lakh rupees more expensive than the Tiago Petrol AMT. You're paying for the tech & being an early adopter
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking. This is not doable for many people
• ~200 km range means this is strictly a city car. No long highway runs
• Stiffer suspension than the regular Tiago means you feel more of the road. Bad roads are felt
• Power tapers off after 100 km/h; top speed of just 120 km/h
• No spare tyre, you will have to make do with a puncture repair kit. We suggest buying a spare
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Some misses such as "P" mode on the shifter, alloy wheels, adjustable rear headrests, etc.
• Rear headroom is tight. Also, a rare Tata car that cannot seat 5 (best for 4 adults)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• It's a brand-new technology, so there will be issues & niggles

Read Team-BHP's Detailed Tata Tiago Electric Review.

The idea will be to only drive during the day and spend the nights hopefully chilling in some cool hotels and enjoying the scenery.

BHPian izzikio_rage recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Have been planning a road trip from Delhi to Manali with a stopover in Chandigarh around Christmas. The idea is to take the Tiago and self-drive the route. Is it doable? What would be the advice in terms of precautions, things to carry etc.

We've already bought the essentials - a Tyre inflator, Tow rope, jumper cable etc. The idea will be to only drive during the day and spend the nights hopefully chilling in some cool hotels and enjoying the scenery

Looking forward to all the veteran advice

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

The Tiago will get you to Manali, with no issues. The highway is kept open all year round. Once there, it is best to keep the car parked at your hotel and avail of the services of local taxis, especially the Gypsies. Will save you the trouble of struggling in traffic and on ice, plus a few places like Sethan (best for snow experience) are accessible only to 4x4 cars.

Do not try to venture onto ice and snow in your car, no matter what.

Here's what BHPian Samfromindia had to say on the matter:

There is no difference between a Tiago and say an Ecosport / Nexon. It's either 2WD or 4x4. If 2WD cars can ply there, so can you. If it's a 4WD territory you cannot. In the hills, I have seen smaller cars like alto are very popular.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

After a thorough check-up they informed me that the problem is with AMT assembly unit. It needs a replacement at a cost of approx. Rs 93,000/-.

BHPian TheWanderer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My relative is currently struggling with a major issue with his TATA Tiago AMT and the company seems to be trying to avoid taking responsibility of this major issue.

The issue that he is facing is as follows:

• While the vehicle is running, the car automatically moves from "D" mode to "Manual" mode and selects some random gear. This happened few times. He immediately took the car to the service centre, but they sent him back saying it may be some battery issue.
• Later, the problem occurred again. Also, in one instance, when the vehicle was started, before even doing anything, the gear indication in the display showed 5.

Following is the message/mail he has sent to the TATA Motors and the service/customer care IDs.

I own a Tata Tiago XZA 1.2 P Vehicle from March 2017. The car has been running smoothly and properly maintained by me and serviced regularly at Tata Motors authorised service centres.

For the past few days, I have come across trouble with sudden malfunctioning of automatic gear systems (VIDEO ATTACHED). I had reported it to the service centre then itself and on a preliminary analysis they suggested it might be due to battery charge variations. But, the problem occurred again and I approached them again.

Now, after a thorough check-up they informed me that the problem is with AMT assembly unit and due to TCU complaint. It needs a replacement at a cost of approx. Rs 93,000/-.

The extended warranty I had taken had expired one year back. A vital part of the vehicle needing a replacement within 5-6years is a rarity and is a huge burden on the customer.

Video of the issue

Till now, based on the emails and tweets he has sent, there have been some generic responses like they are looking into this and have authorised appropriate people to look into this (some contacts have been provided). No concrete "good-will" measures have been proposed in written form, but orally, some small discounts have been offered.

Few points

• Looking at the fact that AMT gear box is the USP of this model and one of the most critical part, a major failure in this system within 5 years of purchase seems to indicate a major reliability issue (We typically expect the key components like engine and gearbox cars to run for 15-20 years!).

• In all communications till now, not much information is forthcoming from the service centre/company side. Whenever the issue is highlighted, only a general response is being provided, without providing any details one exactly why and how this failure occurred.

• Based on the response till now, looks like the service centre/company is trying to pass this off as an issue for which they are not responsible (and as if this can happen with regular use!) and are trying to get the customer cough up a large sum to get this replaced.

• What are your opinions?

• Has anyone faced similar issues?

• Any suggestions on how to take this forward further?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Feeling very sad for AMT owners. As we have frequently seen, it's not cheap (in the long run), it's jerky and it suffers from poor reliability.

What we really need are after-market specialists who can repair AMTs & CVTs. It is these gearboxes that need the most support.

Torque-converter ATs are the best for India IMHO.

I am going to write to Tata and try getting some kind of a goodwill warranty for this car owner.

Here's what BHPian Raj55 had to say on the matter:

Having owned a car with AMT (Toyota Aygo 2012) and having suffered many glitches and finally a total break down that needed replacement of actuator (the hydraulic part that actually shifts the gears for you), I have plenty of sympathy for any owner of cars with AMT. It is a gear box that has thankfully been superseded by CVT in Europe. AMT is like a time bomb and usually lasts only about 4 to 5 years before it fails and it is actually the "actuator" that starts hunting for the correct gear and sometimes choses neutral in the middle of a drive and then one fine day gives up altogether. Repair of the actuator is very expensive. My advise to any one is that if you do not have a local cheap mechanic who is a wizard with AMT transmission for cheap repairs of AMT, get rid of the car before it fails.

Here's what BHPian shivamk11 had to say on the matter:

I'm facing a similar issue in my Tiago AMT. The car randomly goes into manual mode while the gear lever stays in auto mode and also going in limp mode for a while before I can get it to move again. One quick fix is to turn off ignition and turn it on again. It used to happen once in a few months earlier but now it's happening very often and whenever it happens the check engine light and ABS light turn on. The service center in my area has said that the clutch has worn out and even ordered the part after taking some advance from me but honestly I doubt that's the actual issue. Attaching the image of errors I got from my OBD device.

If someone can help me then I'll be really glad.

BHPian TheWanderer had the following update to share on the matter:

Even after multiple followups from my relative's side and some help from GTO, Tata was not ready to provide any significant goodwill gesture from their side and just offered a 10% discount for the material and 20% labour. Since they wanted the vehicle urgently and they did not have any other alternate options, my relative agreed to go ahead with the proposed work.

The car was repaired (in fact, only replacement of AMT assembly, TCU unit alone was done) at a cost of Rs. 86,382.46/- which was paid on 15th October 2022 and vehicle delivery taken.

Unfortunately, even after spending so much money and effort and mental agony, the problem seems to be not fully resolved  While driving the vehicle back to my home and to work thereafter for approximately 100kms, the vehicle did not go into 5th gear at all (even at speed of 90km - VIDEO ATTACHED)! Not sure what diagnosis and repair Tata Service centre has done after looting the customer!!!

If anyone can help to get this escalated to Tata Motors, please get back to us, we are now not sure how to proceed. We are very disappointed with this incident and are repenting on the decision to take a Tata AMT vehicle

I would also like to request help of members here to share this experience widely and give more coverage in other forums as well, so that other Tata customers and potential customers are warned of such issues and shoddy handling offered by Tata and can take an informed decisions when going for a Tata vehicle.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I will keep this car until an EV comes in. This will be used more as a city runner now due to lack of ABS.

BHPian icem@n recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A summary of my 5 and a half years with Tiago. Just completed 50k kms on my Dec 16 XT(o) petrol. Would have completed it couple of years back had the world not changed on March 2020. Has been a trouble free ownership mostly. ~60-65% of the time has been spent on B2B traffic with a good portion of that in 1st-2nd-break ritual. Have completed quite a few outstation trips that have included 700+ kms a day.
Have serviced the car at ASCs at prescribed intervals.

Issues faced:

1. Back gear switch (controls back light, sensors) replaced within six months under warranty due to malfunction.
2. Battery was replaced in 2.5 years as the company fitted one went kaput.
3. Tyres were replaced at 40k as the company fitted Bridgestones were at end of life and became hard. Upgraded to Continental CC5 185/60 R14.
4. The car spent a week in the bodyshop to replace bumper as it was hit by a rowdy auto changing lanes without indication. Insurance claim was smooth and ASC service was good.
5. My car came with four speakers but later when i discovered that it had wiring for tweeters i added two in front after sourcing from boodmoo.
6. Added Aozoom fog projectors as headlight is pathetic. But now have kept it disconnected due to a battery drain episode. I connect it when I need it but generally kept disconnected.
7. Had changed clutch plate in last service in May this year as the clutch had become hard.

Overall it has been a very good experience an will keep this until an EV comes in. This will be used more as a city runner now due to lack of ABS and highway cruiser will come in soon (search on). Definitely a bang for buck given that i had got it for just above 5 lakhs. I am fully satisfied and infact got my family to buy another one a year back.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have a Fortuner currently and I have no intention to sell it. But driving 24 km daily will ensure that my finances will take a hit and cause unnecessary pollution in addition.

BHPian hajaar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello all,

I will be moving my house to a place which is about 12km from its current location. Unfortunately, my childrens' school and wife's office are very close to my current house and it is not possible to move those.

It takes about 25 min (about 24k both ways) to drive from my new home to school to drop my kids there. Pickup will be through a known auto driver, so that is taken care of.

I have a Fortuner currently and I have no intention to sell it. But driving 24 km daily will ensure that my finances will take a hit and cause unnecessary pollution in addition. Public transportation is a no-no since it is hit or miss.

I thought that I could instead look at a cheap (maybe beater) hatchback to drop my kids at school and use my Fortuner for longer runs on highways. I am looking for an AT (so that my wife can drive) hatchback which is either electric or CNG or a petrol sipper at worst. Maintenance should be cheap. I am also ok with a second hand vehicle.

Suggestions welcome.

Here's what BHPian GForceEnjoyer had to say on the matter:

Your usage pattern seems to be perfect for a Tiago/Tigor EV, as you will be keeping your Fortuner around for the longer runs. Assuming that charging at home would not be an issue, you could go right ahead with it. I'd say a Nexon EV would be overkill; just my two cents.

Good luck with your decision.

Here's what BHPian bijims had to say on the matter:

If you want to go the EV route, You have one choice, The Tata Tiago EV, A good small car with enough space, a 4-star NCAP safety rating, and an adequate range for city commutes.

Automatic transmission CNG vehicles are not yet commonplace in India, so they are not an option.

If you are looking at petrol options, quite a few are available. The Honda Amaze, Maruti Baleno, Hyundai i20, and Honda Jazz are all great options to consider whether new or used.

As you haven't specified a budget, I have assumed a budget of around 10 lakhs as you can only consider EVs from this price range.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

A Brio T\torque Converter, Jazz/WR-V CVT and Micra CVT are the best second hand deals if a petrol automatic is being considered. They are all reliable being Japanese, and their automatic powertrains are also competent and reliable as well. if you don't mind going a step lower, the A-Star or even a Ritz automatic also makes for a good deal matching the Brio Jazz and Micra in all quality and reliability areas except in terms of autobox performance and competency (reliable but not the smoothest or the best by any means).

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say on the matter:

After reading your post regarding concerns about driving 24 kms daily on the Fortuner to drop your children, I feel you can surely afford to microscopically dent your budget, keeping the fact on your mind that safety of the little ones is the prime concern for their parents. When you have spent Rs 40-50 L for buying a Fortuner, the budget etc should not bother you.

12+12 kms in any city or around any town will be treacherous as you will encounter morons and also road zombies of many hues on their two, three, four and six or six plus wheelers. A SUV is the best bet on such treacherous roads to keep us cocooned from these road zombies and morons.

As a second vehicle for your Mrs for her driving, nothing beats a Maruti 800 or next a Tata Nano, but unfortunately these have gone or are soon going into the RIP category.

Any good and best selling hatch from Maruti or Hyundai (they have models that have failed to sell that should be avoided) should be a preferable buy in your case.

Here's what BHPian Eco_boost had to say on the matter:

Keep first choice as Tiago Ev (8-12L on road with subsidies).

Maruti Celerio is a really good petrol car (6-8L on road).

Lower variants of Ignis.

Maruti’s should give you around 15-18 kmpl average very easily.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It has a sliding cushion, however, it doesn't slide A LOT. And it opens up to reveal some storage with a rubberized mat.

BHPian lemedico recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Tata Tiago armrest installation:

In continuation with my accessory upgrades for my Tata Tiago XZA+ AMT 2021, here is another one- an armrest installation DIY.

I have recently installed parcel tray strings for Rs. 8, you may read about it on this TBHP thread.

And this amazing mod to my Ciaz which broke the internet.

I bought the armrest from the Gomechanic website. I feel the pricing is absolutely unbeatable. In October 2022, I paid Rs. 1800 for the part with free shipping. There was a Rs. 200 discount for online payment on the original price of Rs. 2000. The SAME part on the Galio website was listed for Rs. 2800, and the SAME part as an official Tata accessory from the showroom was a bonkers Rs. 6000.

I got the delivery within a week, and multiple SMS + WhatsApp messages were sent regarding the order updates. The parcel was a two-box delivery, and well packaged with adequate bubble wrap.

It has a sliding cushion, however, it doesn't slide A LOT. And it opens up to reveal some storage with a rubberized mat. It is ok for your sunglasses, but without the carrying case. There are no colour options and was delivered in the full black shade. This matches the interior of the Tiago/Tigor.

NOTE: this exact part is suitable for the Tata Tigor as well. As per the manufacturer, it is suitable for models 2016 and onwards. That basically means the original and the facelift cars, regardless of the trim XE/XM/XZ/XZ+

YouTube link to the video of this accessory installation.

The company has its instructional video on YouTube for DIYers. That is what I had watched a few times to help me install it on mine.

This is needed from your toolbox:

• Screwdriver – double head.
• Drill with a 10mm bit.
• Plastic pry tool, or a flat-head screwdriver wrapped in a microfibre cloth.
• 10mm socket for the chassis bolts.
• Marker pen.
• Super sharp knife to cut the plastic frame. I used the surgical scalpel with a blade no. 23. A Stanley knife for the non-medicos!
• A file, to smoothen the rough-cut edges.
• Vacuum cleaner to clean up the mess made from the plastic debris.

The steps are straightforward if you follow the video or the instruction sheet in the box. A picture speaks 1000 words, a video perhaps a million. Do have a look at my video and the manufacturer’s video if you’re in the process of installation. For general reading pleasure, the steps are as follows:

• Use the four screws to join the armrest to the adapter.
• Place this over the rear cup holder and use a marker to mark the five drill holes.
• Pry out the rear cup holder and drill 10mm holes into the five marks.
• Place the stencil on the cup holder’s frame, and mark the four slots to be cut out.
• NOTE: This was not 100% to size and I had to further file down a few mm on each side for each slot to get an accurate position.
• Use sheer force to cut out the plastic bits, it's not easy. And it will create a microplastic mess which is too evident on black carpeting.
• Use a 10mm socket to undo the two chassis bolts which secure the handbrake cable.
• Mount the metal bracket with these two chassis bolts. The bracket doesn’t stay perfectly aligned; it twists on tightening. Trial and error to make it perfectly horizontal.
• Whack on the plastic bracket, it should mildly ‘click’ over the metal bracket in its groove. Secure this with the two included screws.
• Replace the drilled cup holder. It will NOT slot in again as it has lost the space due to the new tenants. Just let it rest on top of it. In my opinion, the cup holder can be chucked away altogether as it now has no use or structural need for the armrest.
• Place the armrest over the cup holder, and screw the five screws to finally secure it.
• NOTE: the holes for the screws on the armrest, cup holder, and mounting bracket may not be lined in line with each other. Mine were not and took some nip and tuck to make it so. The video shows what I mean.
• Vacuum up the carpets, wash your hands and enjoy your new accessory!

Here are a few photos, thanks for reading:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The introductory pricing has been extended for an additional 10,000 customers.

Tata Motors opened the order books for the Tiago EV on October 10. The company now claims to have received over 10,000 bookings for the electric hatchback in a single day.

The Tiago EV was launched at an introductory price of Rs. 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker has now decided to extend the introductory pricing for an additional 10,000 customers.

The Tiago EV is available in four variants: XE, XT, XZ+ and XZ+ Tech LUX. The car comes with two battery options - a 19.2 kWh battery pack offering a maximum range of 250 km and a 24 kWh battery offering 315 km (MIDC) on a single charge.

As per the company, production of the 24 kWh variants has been prioritized. Deliveries will commence in January 2023.

The hooks for the same were sourced from the Swift, which cost a meagre Rs. 16.

BHPian lemedico recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Adding parcel tray strings to a Tiago for Rs. 8. This method would work for a lot of other cars as well.

We’re all aware of the frequent habit of feature deletions across the Tata motors range. So much, that I wonder if they are secretly inspiring Indians to be crafty with their hands and tools to bring such deletions back to their cars by DIY. I’m happy about that, an active brain is prevention against old age Alzheimer’s disease! When I’m not playing Sudoku or operating on patients in the operating theatre, I am busy with my cars- cleaning, maintaining, and upgrading features!

I recently acquired a pre-owned Tiago XZA+ 2021 make. This was a boon purchase as it's compact size and ease of ownership was a desperate need amongst the usual cars in my garage, which are far too long, or tall for my daily get around. Alas, on purchase, I immediately lost a few hair strands learning of the absent reverse parking sensors (on the top model!) and these measly parcel tray strings to lift it up when the boot opens.

I am a fan of transplant surgery. This concept works well outside of healthcare as well! You may have read my thread on grafting a Honda City’s auto-dimming IRVM into a Ciaz.

This was a proper achievement by myself, and a lot more DIYers who grabbed the part for Rs. 422. Unfortunately, the fanfare caused the part to shoot up to a price of Rs. 6000+ as of now.

Anyway, I needed hooks to attach to the boot, which would hang the loop of the parcel tray string. I didn’t even try going to Tata motors to find out if they had them, or even bother trying to explain to them what I need and why the hell I need it. Tata motors has the most nonchalant staff who are best left alone.

I have a few friendly faces at Maruti Suzuki through my work on their kidneys. I rang a chap up o’er there and told him what I needed. I was giving the example of a similar part from the Baleno but I quickly realised the stings on the Baleno hang directly off the rear windshield by metal clips. What I needed were hooks from a Swift. Luckily, being a rare part sale, they were available in stock for a price of Rs. 16 per hook. I wasn’t charged and handed them over complimentary! Perhaps they’ll stick it on the bill during the service for my wife’s Ciaz but for now, I’ve yet to spend any money.

There are rubber plugs covering the holes where you need to push in the hooks. It’s a simple task that needs no descriptive sentences. The hooks are a perfect fit. I wouldn’t try pulling them out, I think they will break.

For the strings, I bought 4 meters of ‘kala dhaaga’ or ‘maala dhaaga’ from a typical ladies' store which sells bangles and bindis. That cost me a total of Rs. 8 and he even gave me two large plastic balls with a central tunnel, which are needed as described later on.

At home, I divided the string into two parts of 2 meters each, then further divided each string into 3 equal lengths. These 3 lengths need to be braided, as do girls with their hair. YouTube to the rescue! It’s a not too difficult task for a newbie, but a swift one for the ladies who do so to their hair regularly. I braided one, and my wife did the other.

With the braids complete, I threaded the plastic ball to the far end. This would act like a washer against the parcel tray. You could also do without it and instead tie a lot of knots at one end to make it bulky, and that would in turn stop it from slipping off the hole made in the parcel tray.

Whack out the parcel tray and drill a hole at two near corners. Try using a small drill bit. Perhaps 3-4mm. There is no need to make a large hole. If your thread is smooth(reshami), it won’t snag on opening or closing the boot. All that you need to do now is place the braided strings through the holes and then tie a loop around the newly installed hooks at the top end.

Tie it up at your desired height at which you’d like the parcel tray to be lifted when you open the boot. I tried it at multiple levels, and it didn’t snag at any. You may need to put some fevi kwik or melt the frayed ends on both sides. I haven't trimmed the excess yet, I may need it if I choose to alter the lift height again.

And voila, the job is done! A few pictures are attached for better understanding. All in all, I spent Rs. 8. However, with the cost of the hooks, some fevi-kwik, and those two plastic balls, this is no more than Rs. 50 TOTAL. Boodmo has parcel tray strings for the Altroz at Rs 140 per string, shipping extra! What a waste. Absolutely save those rupees and buy yourself, or your car a respective pint of ethanol!

I am working on more small changes and upgrades to the Tiago. Next up are atmosphere lights (already bought from Amazon for Rs. 323. Offline accessories shop wanted Rs. 1500), reverse parking sensors( Bought from Amazon Rs. 500. Offline Rs. 1100), front armrest (Bought from Gomechanic.com Rs. 1836. Tata wants Rs. 6000, Galio spare parts online wants Rs. 2830). I’ll post them as they are completed. Thanks

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The car should be reliable, cheap to run, own and maintain. This is the prime criteria.

BHPian 07CR recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My friend is looking to buy his first car in the family. Looking at my interest in cars, he turned towards me for the advice. He/his family are a complete newbie towards cars.

Set of requirements:

• Should be reliable,cheap to run, own and maintain. This is the prime criteria.
• Family of four, below average height.
• Should be easy to drive in city.
• Budget - 7 lakhs. Currently he is thinking of stretching to 8.64 L and get a Tiago I CNG XZ+.
• However, this (7 lakhs includes majorly loan amount) is quite a stretch for him and is confused.
• Yearly running - 10K kms.

Options:

• Tiago I CNG XT/XZ+.
• Grand I 10 Nios Magna CNG.
• Honda Amaze IDTEC VX (57K run,Dec 2016 model).
• Maruti Ignis Zeta 1.3 (45K run, 2017 model).

He was apprehensive of preowned cars, but now that I have suggested him for the same, he is now thinking on the same lines.

Quoted price for Amaze and Ignis are 5.75 L and 6 L (negotiable) respectively. Both are single owner cars. Have checked the Amaze and Ignis, and both appear to be in great condition. The go ahead will be given only if both cars get a green signal from Honda and Maruti service dealership.

Considering he is extremely tight on budget, I believe the preowned options (especially Amaze) make more sense, however, would like your opinions, considering this is his first car in the family.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

First car and clearly a close friend. Tell him to go for a new car. Reasons = if the used car turns out to be troublesome, he will be upset with you. New car is new car, especially when it's the first car of the family and hence, something that will bring immense pride & joy.

The Tiago CNG is one of the best implemented CNG systems I have seen. Between this and a used Amaze, better he goes for a new Tiago CNG.

Keeping his requirements in mind, he should also consider a new Maruti hatchback, something like a WagonR or an Ignis.

Here's what BHPian AZT had to say on the matter:

Just a heads up on the recent CNG price hike news. Your friend needs to realize if a yearly 10k run justifies buying a CNG and the decreased boot space, lining up at pumps etc. that comes with it.

Here's what BHPian Chetan_Rao had to say on the matter:

The Wagon R 1.2 would be a good addition to the choices list. Peppy, spacious, frugal, effortless to drive, fits the budget. It's a 'big' car in a small car form factor, and for small car money. I've recently been driving my dad's Wagon R 1.2 around town a fair bit and also drove it 1600 kms on a highway run. It's fantastic for what it is.

If your friend would prefer something a little less spacious but more contemporarily styled, look at the Ignis.

I'd avoid compact CNG hatchbacks as family cars, the boot is practically unusable.

Here's what BHPian sumeethaldankar had to say on the matter:

Wagon R/Celerio should be the choices he should be looking at. For a first car I would prefer something like a hatchback since he is complete newbie. A used car will come with its issues like eg was the car in a accident? or was it flood affected? etc. A new fresh car is the best option. Let him feel the new car smell rather than bear the soiled interiors of a used car.

Good luck.

Here's what BHPian sidpunjabi had to say on the matter:

My vote is for a new car, especially since you've mentioned that he and his family are newbies towards cars.

Instead of specifying a particular make/model, I would like to add another point of view:

I'm going to assume that the used car is out of OEM warranty. So at some point, he's going to need to head to a mechanic / FNG since older / used cars usually have a lower tolerance level to the regular abuse faced on our roads vs. their new-from-factory counterparts. Since it's the first car in the family, even the smallest dent/ scratch/ breakdown can feel monumental.

You never forget your first

Add to it the hunt for a. FNG, which could be a bit daunting for him at first (and that's assuming the mechanic doesn't take him for a ride - pun intended).

With new cars and extended warranties, there's that little peace of mind since ASCs usually don't mess with under-warranty cars. He can use this time to research on his car, find good FNGs and mechanics and just get better acquainted with the whole processes of taking care of his baby.

In the long run, a new car will be a win.

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