Features like ventilated seats and front parking sensors, once exclusive to high-end cars, have now made their way to affordable, mass-market models. A powered tailgate is another such feature, now offered mostly on the top variants of some cars from Maruti, Tata and MG. It’s worth noting that a powered tailgate isn’t the same as an electric tailgate release, which only unlocks the boot; lifting and closing the tailgate have to be done manually. With that out of the way, here are the five most affordable cars that come with a powered tailgate.
Tata Harrier | Tata Harrier EV
Rs 23.12 lakh-25.25 lakh | Rs 27.49 lakh-30.23 lakh
Tata Harrier ICE.
On the ICE and electric fronts, the Tata Harrier and the Harrier EV, respectively, are the most expensive cars here to feature a powered tailgate. Harrier variants with a gesture-controlled tailgate comprise the top-spec Fearless X+, Fearless X+ Dark and Fearless X+ Stealth, powered by a 170hp 2.0-litre diesel engine.
Similarly, only the top trims of the Tata Harrier EV’s top trims, including the 238hp Empowered 75 and 313hp Empowered QWD 75 (or AWD) with a 75kWh battery pack, get a powered tailgate; their Stealth editions are also on sale. There’s a significant price difference between the Harrier’s ICE and electric versions.
| Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Tata Harrier | Tata Harrier EV | |
| Boot space (litres) | 445 | 502 (up to roof) | |
Tata Curvv | Tata Curvv EV
Rs 17.09 lakh-18.85 lakh | Rs 21.99 lakh-22.24 lakh
Tata Curvv EV.
Like the Harrier duo above, the Tata Curvv and Curvv EV feature a gesture-controlled powered tailgate. The Tata Curvv Accomplished+ A and its Dark edition can be optioned with a 125hp 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine or a 118hp 1.5-litre diesel unit. Coming to the Tata Curvv EV, the 167hp Empowered+ A 55 and its Dark edition equivalent use a 55kWh battery pack.
| Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Tata Curvv | Tata Curvv EV | |
| Boot space (litres) | 500 | 500 | |
MG Hector | MG Hector Plus
Rs 18.34 lakh-20.96 lakh | Rs 18.92 lakh-21.54 lakh
MG Hector Plus.
Both the 5-seat MG Hector and the 6/7-seat Hector Plus offer the gesture-controlled boot-opening functionality. Their Sharp Pro, Savvy Pro, Blackstorm and Snowstorm trims, equipped with this tech, can be had with either a 143hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine or a 170hp 2-litre diesel motor; the latter is a Fiat-sourced unit and also powers the Tata Harrier.
| Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | MG Hector | MG Hector Plus | |
| Boot space (litres) | 587 | 155 | |
MG Windsor EV
Rs 15.85 lakh
MG Windsor EV.
Next in line is the MG Windsor EV, the only non-SUV model in this set. Interestingly, the Windsor’s boot can be opened from multiple angles via its central touchscreen, which also hosts other key car functions. Just the 136hp Windsor EV Essence Pro with a 52.9kWh battery pack comes with the feature.
| Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Windsor EV | Windsor EV Pro | |
| Boot space (litres) | 604 (Excite, Exclusive) | 579 ( Essence, Exclusive Pro, Essence Pro) | |
Maruti Victoris
Rs 13.72 lakh-19.99 lakh
Maruti Victoris.
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Honda Elevate, is currently the most accessible car with a powered tailgate. Like all SUVs here, the Victoris gets a gesture-controlled powered tailgate. Its Victoris ZXI, ZXI (O), ZXI+ and ZXI+ (O) trims offer varying 1.5-litre engine choices: 103hp mild-hybrid petrol (FWD/AWD), 116hp strong hybrid and 88hp petrol-CNG (with an underbody tank for freeing up boot space). Do note that Maruti has not yet disclosed the Victoris’s powertrain-wise boot capacity figures.
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