2026 Citroen eC3X vs Tata Tiago EV: Price, battery, range compared

2026 Citroen eC3X vs Tata Tiago EV: Price, Battery, and Range Compared

Citroen India has introduced the 2026 Citroen eC3X electric hatchback, marking a significant update with exterior and interior revisions, enhanced features, and an improved driving range. Positioned in the competitive Indian EV market, it rivals the Tata Tiago EV and MG Comet. Deliveries for the eC3X are expected to begin soon, with bookings available online or at dealerships.

Price and Variants
The 2026 Citroen eC3X is available in three variants: Live, Live (O), and Shine. Prices start at ₹10.25 lakh (ex-showroom), which is ₹1.74 lakh lower than its predecessor. For cost-conscious buyers, Citroen offers a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) plan, reducing the car's initial price to ₹6.29 lakh. Under this plan, battery usage is charged at ₹2.26 per kilometer.

In comparison, the 2026 Tata Tiago EV is also offered in three variants: Smart, Pure Plus, and Creative Plus, with prices ranging from ₹6.99 lakh to ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Tata’s BaaS programme lowers the Tiago EV’s starting price to ₹4.69 lakh, with battery usage billed at ₹2.6 per kilometer.

Battery and Range
The Citroen eC3X is equipped with a 29.2kWh battery pack, offering a claimed MIDC-certified range of 325km, which is a 79km improvement over its predecessor. The EV's motor delivers 57hp and 143Nm, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60kph in 6.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 107kph. Charging options include AC and DC fast charging, with a full charge from 10% to 100% taking 10 hours and 30 minutes via an AC charger. A DC fast charger can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in 57 minutes.

The Tata Tiago EV offers two battery options: a 19.2kWh pack and a 24kWh pack. The larger battery variant produces 75hp and 114Nm, while the smaller one delivers 61hp and 110Nm. The MIDC-certified range for the 24kWh version is 285km, slightly down from its previous 293km, while the 19.2kWh version offers 226km, up from 223km. Real-world range estimates stand at 205-215km for the larger battery and 160-170km for the smaller one. The Tiago EV supports 30kW DC fast charging, allowing both battery options to charge from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes. Additionally, it offers 3.3kW and 7.2kW AC charging options.

Dimensions
In terms of size, the Citroen eC3X is larger than the Tata Tiago EV. The eC3X measures 3,981mm in length, 1,733mm in width, and 1,604mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,540mm. It rides on 195/65 R15 tyres and offers a 315-litre boot.

The Tata Tiago EV, on the other hand, is 3,802mm long, 1,677mm wide, and 1,537mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,400mm. It features 175/65 R15 tyres and provides a 242-litre boot. The eC3X is 179mm longer, 56mm wider, and 67mm taller, with a 140mm longer wheelbase and wider tyres, making it more spacious overall.

Conclusion
Both the Citroen eC3X and Tata Tiago EV cater to different priorities. The eC3X stands out with its larger dimensions, improved range, and spacious boot, while the Tiago EV offers more affordable starting prices, especially under the BaaS scheme. Buyers can choose based on their budget, range requirements, and space preferences.