The Ultimate Indian EV Showdown: Tata Punch EV vs. Nexon EV vs. Tiago EV

  • Source: TestDriveGuru
  • Posted by: TestDriveGuru
  • November 06, 2025
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The Indian electric vehicle market is no longer a futuristic dream; it's a bustling, competitive reality. At the forefront of this revolution are a handful of compelling models vying for the attention of the modern Indian buyer. Four names dominate the conversation in the sub-Rs.20 lakh space: the established Tata Tiago EV and Nexon EV, the brand-new challenger, the Tata Punch EV.

But with overlapping prices and diverse offerings, which one is the right electric car for you? We break it down in this ultimate comparison review. 

1. Design and Form Factor: What's Your Style?

This is where the four contenders diverge most significantly.

  • Tata Tiago EV: The most conventional of the lot. It’s a familiar, friendly hatchback. If you want an EV that doesn't scream for attention and blends in seamlessly, the Tiago EV is your go-to.
  • Tata Punch EV: This is the new sweet spot. It takes the popular micro-SUV stance of its petrol counterpart and infuses it with a futuristic EV identity, including a full-width light bar. It offers the high seating position and rugged appeal of an SUV in a compact footprint.
  • Tata Nexon EV: The most premium and sophisticated of the group. The recently facelifted Nexon EV looks sharp, modern, and aspirational. With its coupe-like roofline and muscular proportions, it’s a proper compact SUV that exudes confidence.

Winner: Subjective, but for a modern, all-round appeal, the Tata Punch EV strikes a fantastic balance.

2. Range and Battery: The All-Important Numbers

Range anxiety is real, and this is often the deciding factor for EV buyers.

  • Tata Tiago EV: Offers two battery options: a 19.2 kWh pack (ARAI: 250 km) and a 24 kWh pack (ARAI: 315 km). Realistically, expect 170-200 km for the smaller battery and 220-250 km for the larger one.
  • Tata Punch EV: This is where things get serious. It also has two options: a 25 kWh pack (ARAI: 315 km) and a 35 kWh Long Range pack (ARAI: 421 km). The Long Range version can realistically deliver 300-340 km on a single charge, making it a capable inter-city machine.
  • Tata Nexon EV: The undisputed king of range in this group. It comes in Medium Range (30 kWh battery, ARAI: 325 km) and Long Range (40.5 kWh battery, ARAI: 465 km). The Long Range Nexon EV can comfortably achieve 350-380 km in real-world conditions, making it the best choice for frequent highway trips.

Winner: Tata Nexon EV (Long Range), with the Punch EV (Long Range) as a strong runner-up. 

3. Features, Tech, and Practicality

An EV is as much about the tech inside as the battery underneath.

  • Tata Tiago EV: The most basic here. It gets a functional touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and connected car tech, but it feels a generation older than its stablemates. It’s a practical 5-door hatchback with decent boot space.
  • Tata Punch EV: This is the game-changer. It inherits the tech from the bigger Nexon EV, offering options like a large 10.25-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, and even a frunk (front trunk)! Its 5-star BNCAP safety rating is a massive plus.
  • Tata Nexon EV: The most feature-loaded of all. On top of everything the Punch EV offers, the top-end Nexon EV adds a larger 12.3-inch main screen, a JBL sound system, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, which allows you to power external devices using the car's battery. It has the most cabin and boot space.

Winner: Tata Nexon EV for the sheer breadth of features, but the Tata Punch EV offers incredible value and tech for its price. 

4. Price and Value for Money

  • Tata Tiago EV (Approx. Rs.8 Lakh - Rs.12 Lakh): The undisputed entry point into the world of practical EVs. It offers incredible value for anyone looking for a no-fuss electric city car.
  • Tata Punch EV (Approx. Rs.11 Lakh - Rs.15.5 Lakh): Hits the absolute sweet spot. For a small premium over the Tiago EV, it offers a modern platform, SUV styling, vastly superior range, and cutting-edge features. It presents arguably the best value-for-money package here.
  • Tata Nexon EV (Approx. Rs.14.5 Lakh - Rs.20 Lakh): The premium choice. While it's the most expensive, it justifies its price with the best performance, longest range, biggest size, and most comprehensive feature list.

The Final Verdict: Which EV Should You Buy?

There's no single winner here, only the right car for a specific need.

  • Buy the Tata Tiago EV if: You are on a strict budget, need a practical 5-door car for city commutes, and want the most affordable entry into the EV ecosystem. 
  • Buy the Tata Punch EV if: You want the perfect all-rounder. It's the ideal first EV for a small family, offering SUV appeal, great ground clearance, fantastic modern features, and a genuinely usable range without breaking the bank. 
  • Buy the Tata Nexon EV if: Budget is not your primary constraint and you want the best of everything: maximum range for worry-free highway trips, top-tier performance, premium features, and more space for your family. 

In the end, the arrival of the Punch EV has significantly shaken up the market, offering a near-Nexon EV experience at a more accessible price point. However, the Tiago EV remains the king of affordability, the Nexon EV the king of capability.