Hyundai Exter EV Launch – Should Segment-Leader Tiago EV Worry?

Deciding between emerging EVs like the Exter and Tiago requires balancing priorities like pricing, efficiency, and features tailored to your lifestyle. This analysis spotlights their respective strengths and compromises, simplifying your purchase choice. Until the Exter EV is officially launched and its complete specifications are revealed, comparisons should be viewed as provisional.

Introduction to Exter EV

Exter EV is likely to launch in 2024 and is anticipated to be Hyundai's first entry-level electric car in India. It has a modern look and a minimalist interior, with a powerful electric motor promising excellent performance. Hyundai sees it as a technology leader that is helping to move towards a greener future. It will be their first mass-market EV, setting new standards in design, features, and efficiency to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles. The launch campaign will emphasise the car's sporty character and sustainable mobility, which is expected to appeal to younger buyers.

Tiago EV Overview

Since its debut last year, the Tiago EV from Tata has rapidly become India's highest-selling electric car. Thanks to its 315 km range and ultra-affordable ownership costs, Tata has cemented its lead in urban EV adoption.

Pricing

The Tata Tiago EV price carries a steep premium over the Exter petrol variant, as shown:

Performance

The Exter car promises better outright acceleration, but the Tiago EV excels in driveability:

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensionally, the Tiago EV is slightly shorter but offers adequate interior room:

Safety Features

Safety kit is well covered in both models:

The Exter wins big on additional airbag count, enhancing crash protection.

Interior Space and Comfort

Both models seat 5 occupants comfortably with adequate legroom and boot space:

Hyundai Exter EV Pros

The Exter EV boasts of underpinnings that are equivalent to petrol vehicles, offering several advantages such as:

• Refined Performance: Enjoy refined performance with the sporty electric motor that provides smooth acceleration.
• Comfortable Ride: An adjusted suspension with a comfortable ride that filters out road shocks.
• Spacious Cabin: A spacious seating that can accommodate up to five passengers and their luggage with ease.
• Feature-rich: Enjoy modern creature comforts such as automatic climate control.

Hyundai Exter EV Cons

In the meantime, it's important to consider the limitations of the Exter EV, including:

• Average Range: The average range is limited to a maximum of 200 kilometres (expected range), which makes it unsuitable for long-distance highway trips.

Tata Tiago EV Pros

The Tiago EV offers several unexpected benefits that make it stand out:

• 300+ km Range: A comfortable intercity journey with a larger battery that provides a range of over 300 km.
• Compact Footprint: Easy to manoeuvre on congested streets
• Safety Rating: The safety rating of this vehicle is solid, with a 4-star performance in crash tests.
• Well-Equipped: It is well-equipped with a modern ambience, featuring an automatic air conditioning system and a high-quality sound system.

Tata Tiago EV Cons

However, the Tiago EV has some drawbacks that need to be considered, such as:

• City-Focused: The options available are focused on cities and do not include remote getaways.
• Limited Trunk Space: 240-litre boot trades utility for battery

Conclusion

Consider whether range or affordability matters more before choosing between two EVs. For city driving, the Tiago EV's mileage and value make it a sustainable option. Frequent charging offsets its higher price. Evaluate your usage preferences before deciding which technology showcase is best for you. In case you are looking for more performance and a premium feel in a hatchback, you can also consider the Tata Altroz as it offers better performance and more bang for the buck.