Comparison: Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch

Maruti had banked big on the Maruti Fronx compact SUV when they had launched it at the starting price of Rs 7.47 lakh (ex-showroom). Based on the Maruti Baleno, the Maruti Fronx was positioned below the Maruti Brezza in Maruti’s portfolio and was sold from Maruti’s premium subsidiary, Nexa. For its size, price, and features the Maruti Fronx strongly rivaled the segment-leading Tata Punch. Therefore, in this comparison of the Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch, we break down the differences and find out which one is more suited to your requirements.

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Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Dimensions

The Maruti Fronx is 168 mm longer, 23 mm wider, and has a 75 mm longer wheelbase as compared to the Tata Punch. The Tata Punch is 65 mm taller than the Maruti Fronx. So, while both SUVs are sufficiently spacious 5-seaters, the Maruti Frox has better legroom, and the Tata Punch offers better headroom. Moreover, the 366 litres luggage-carrying capacity of the Punch looks slightly more attractive than the 308 litres boot space of the Maruti Fronx.

While both cars are compact SUVs, they vastly differ in their road presence. The face of the Maruti Fronx looks like a miniaturised Grand Vitara due to the upright face that features triple-cube LED DRLs flanking the NEXwave grille with a chrome bar that runs across it and has Maruti badging in the centre. In the lower half, the triple-cube headlamps with triangular housing is a replica of the Hyundai Creta. The side profile looks similar to that of the Maruti Baleno and the rather small overhang makes the Maruti Fronx look like a sophisticated coupe SUV. At the rear, the Fronx sports the stylish triple seven-pattern tail lamps linked by an LED light bar, chunky rear bumper, and faux skid plate making the Fronx look sporty.

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The Tata Punch on the other hand looks like a more fashionable and true-blue compact SUV. The Punch’s face is heavily inspired by the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari, sporting a flat concave bonnet, enclosed gloss black grille with chrome outlining, split headlamp setup with LED DRLs  on top and projector headlamp cluster below. The side profile highlights the muscular wheel arches, 187 mm ground clearance giving the SUV a tall stance, the rear door handles tucked in the C-pillar like the ones in Tata Altroz, and the chunky black cladding extending across the lower part of the SUV. The rear of Punch flaunts the sleek ‘Y-shaped’ tri-arrow LED Tail lamps, muscular edges, and muscular bumper housing reflectors.

Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Engine & Transmission

In terms of mechanicals, the Maruti Fronx has a big edge over the Tata Punch. Both engines of the Maruti Fronx are more powerful and fuel-efficient than the 1.2-litre petrol engine of the Tata Punch. Moreover, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol Boosterjet engine of the Maruti Fronx is acclaimed for its performance-oriented character. This should make the Maruti Fronx a fun to drive compact SUV.

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The Maruti Fronx offers mild-hybrid technology with both engines, further reassuring pocket-friendly mileage. On the other hand, the power figures and mileage of Tata Punch are decent for urban usage, and the Indian compact SUV won’t disappoint in tackling the city traffic.

Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Features & Comfort

The interiors of both SUVs feel premium, but differ in their design and texture. In the Maruti Fronx, everything seems to have been carried over from the Baleno – like the dual-tone layered dashboard, trapezoidal framings of 9-inch touchscreen, and the trapezoidal central AC vents. In the Punch, Tata has followed a minimalist approach and kept everything sophisticated-looking – like the plain dual-tone dashboard, rectangular AC vents below the touchscreen, and at both ends of the dashboard. What makes a major difference between the SUVs, is the taller seating position in Punch which gives the passengers an authoritative feel. Both cars feature comfortable seating, however, the Maruti Fronx misses the armrest for the rear seat passengers.

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Feature-wise while both cars are amply laden to provide a premium passenger experience, the Maruti Fronx does have certain advantages over the Tata Punch, like the LED headlights, auto-dimming internal rear-view mirror, rear AC vents, and head-up display. The LED headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, and head-up display add greatly to the driving convenience, and the rear AC vents enrich the overall experience of rear passengers.

Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Safety Features

As far as passenger safety is concerned, the Tata Punch is far ahead of the Maruti Fronx. The 5-star G-NCAP rating of the Tata Punch spells the strength of the formidable structure that will safeguard passengers in case of an unfortunate accident. Moreover, the Indian compact SUV features all the essential safety features maximising safety.

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On the other hand, Maruti has also given great emphasis on safety and loaded Fronx with a slew of safety features. Moreover, the availability of 6 airbags will make Fronx one of the most affordable cars with 6 airbags. The Maruti Fronx is underpinned by the familiar HEARTECT platform and it remains to be seen how well the Maruti Fronx scores on the G-NCAP safety test.

Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Price comparison

While the Maruti Fronx has some advantages over the Tata Punch, their price difference makes the Tata Punch a considerably more affordable SUV and a more value-for-money package as compared to the Maruti Fronx.

Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: Summary

The comparison does tip the scale in favour of Tata Punch for its affordability and safety which is of paramount importance by all odds. The Maruti Fronx appears to be another family-friendly, decent-looking, comfortable, and fuel-efficient car from Maruti’s stable. However, at considerably more affordable prices the Tata Punch promises a commanding road presence, most importantly, a 5-star rated safety by Global NCAP. So, if you are looking for a comfortable compact SUV that delivers pocket-friendly mileage and is also exciting to drive, the Maruti Fronx should be your choice. However, if you want a formidable butch-looking SUV that is exceptionally safe and can be owned on a rather smaller budget, then the Tata Punch is your car.

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Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch: FAQs

Q. Among the Tata Punch and Maruti Fronx, which one is bigger?

The Maruti Fronx is 3,995 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, 1,550 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,520 mm. The Tata Punch is 3,827 mm long, 1,742 mm wide, 1,615 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,445 mm. Therefore, the Maruti Fronx is 168 mm longer, 23 mm wider, and has a 75 mm longer wheelbase as compared to the Tata Punch, while the Tata Punch is 65 mm taller than the Maruti Fronx.

Q. Among the Tata Punch and Maruti Fronx, which one is more powerful?

The 1.0-litre turbo petrol and 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines of Maruti Fronx generate 101 PS and 91 PS of power respectively. The 1.2-litre petrol engine of Tata Punch makes 86 PS of power, making itself slightly less powerful than the Maruti Fronx.

Q. What is the mileage of the Maruti Fronx?

While the mileage of Maruti Fronx has not been revealed, it shares its 1.2-litre petrol engine with the Maruti Baleno, so the mileage figures for the Fronx can be expected to be close to the Baleno’s 22.35 – 22.94 km/l fuel efficiency figures.

Q. Does the Tata Punch have a sunroof?

The Tata Punch doesn’t feature a sunroof as of now, but the Tata Punch i-CNG which has been showcased at Auto Expo 2023, sports a single-pane sunroof.

Q. Which variant of the Maruti Fronx provides six airbags?

The Zeta and Alpha variants of Maruti Fronx offer six airbags which include dual front, side, and curtain airbags.

Q. Which car is safer from the two?

The Tata Punch has a 5-star G-NCAP rating and is ranked the safest car.