Tata is back! Indian car brand, Tata, has announced a line-up of 4 new passenger models which will go on sale in South Africa in September 2025 after a hiatus of about 6 years. See the new Tata cars coming to South Africa below!
New Tata cars are coming to South Africa!
Cars.co.za reported in February 2025 that Tata passenger vehicles were set to be reintroduced to the local new-vehicle segment during the second half of the year in partnership with Motus Holdings, which confirmed in an interim results presentation that it had “entered into a distribution agreement with Tata to be the exclusive importer of passenger (models) in South Africa and certain neighbouring countries”.
Leading automotive retail group Motus already distributes the Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia and Renault brands in South Africa, and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) will operate through a nationwide network of 40 dealerships, with plans to expand to 60 outlets by 2026, the division said in a statement.
Although Tata left Mzansi’s passenger-car and LCV segments at some point in the second half of 2019, larger commercial vehicles from Tata (buses and trucks) have remained on the local market courtesy of Tata International South Africa.
But now TMPV is officially back, following a launch event in Sandton, Johannesburg on 20 August 2025, where it unveiled the following new Tata models in South Africa: the Tiago compact hatchback, Punch and Curvv compact family cars (small crossovers) and Harrier family car (medium SUV).
See them below!
New Tata Cars for South Africa in 2025
Tata Tiago
The Tiago is the entry point to the range of new Tata models in South Africa and it will be available in 4 derivatives.
The compact hatchback, which is 3 767 mm long and underwent its most recent update in January 2025, is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine (63 kW/113 Nm) paired with either a 5-speed manual or AMT transmission.
Inside, the Tiago features either a 7.0-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (on most derivatives), a digital instrument cluster, HD reverse camera, wireless connectivity and a cooled glovebox.
Standard safety features include ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and dual airbags and TMPV noted that all 4 new Tata models in the SA launch line-up are rated either 4 or 5 stars by Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP – India’s official safety rating system.
Consider the Tiago as a rival to vehicles such as the Kia Picanto, Hyundai Grand i10, Renault Kwid, Suzuki Celerio, and Volkswagen Polo Vivo, to name just a few of its rivals.
Tata Punch
The Tata Punch, with its fashionable “mini-SUV” exterior styling replete with black cladding and “floating roof design”, was India’s top-selling passenger vehicle in 2024, and given that sub-4-metre budget crossovers are also wildly popular in South Africa, it augurs well for the newcomer’s prospects.
The Punch shares its powertrain with the Tiago, but it’s a more practical offering than the hatchback, with a perched driving position, 187 mm of ground clearance, wide-opening (90-degree) doors and a claimed load-bay capacity of 366 litres.
Notable interior features include cruise control, selectable drive modes and, depending on spec, either a 7-inch Harman infotainment system or a floating 10.5-inch touchscreen display, both of which feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
TMPV will offer 5 derivatives of the Tata Punch in Mzansi and they will all be fitted with ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and dual airbags. The Punch will compete with the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Nissan Magnite, Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Starlet Cross, among others.
Tata Curvv
The Tata Curvv is a distinctive coupe-inspired SUV that measures 4 308 mm in length, which positions it against larger compact family cars such as the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro/Tiggo Cross, Haval Jolion, Kia Seltos, Renault Duster and Volkswagen T-Cross.
It’s powered by a 88 kW/170 Nm, 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol and buyers will be able to choose between a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Curvv’s interior represents a step up from that of the more utilitarian Punch both in terms of design and tech. The line-up includes Smart, Smart+ and Pure variants, with either a 7-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera system with blind view monitor, a panoramic sunroof and customisable mood lighting.
Safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, and electronic stability control offered across the range.
Tata Harrier
At 4 605 mm in length, the Harrier is a family car that will compete with models such as the Haval H6, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 and Mahindra XUV700.
The 5-seater Harrier is powered by 125 kW/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel mated (now a rarity in this segment) with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. It has a load-bay capacity of 445 litres that can be expanded to 815 litres by folding down the rear seats.
Inside, it has either a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Alexa Car2Home connectivity, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, a cooled compartment in the centre armrest, a gesture-controlled power tailgate and Terrain Response modes for mild off-roading.
Safety-wise, the Harrier has up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and Level 2 ADAS functionality, TMPV says.
Which one of these new Tata cars do you like the most?
We’ll publish full prices and specifications as soon as they become available.
Find used Tata models listed for sale in South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will Tata return to South Africa’s new-vehicle market?
A: Tata has announced that it will return to South Africa’s new passenger-vehicle market in September 2025 after a hiatus of about 6 years.
Q: Which models is Tata launching in South Africa?
A: Tata will launch four new models: the Tiago compact hatchback, Punch and Curvv compact crossovers, and the Harrier medium SUV.
Q: What engine powers the Tata Tiago?
A: The Tiago is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 63 kW and 113 Nm of torque.
Q: What is the load-bay capacity of the Tata Punch?
A: The Tata Punch has a claimed load-bay capacity of 366 litres, which is significantly larger than that of the Tiago hatchback.
Q: How many airbags does the Tata Curvv have?
A: The Tata Curvv is equipped with 6 airbags, with ABS, EBD, and electronic stability control offered across the range.
Q: What engine powers the Tata Harrier?
A: The Harrier is powered by a 125 kW/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that is mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmission.
