There was a time when Tata Motors went from being India’s first indigenous automotive manufacturer with a good lineup to near irrelevancy. Then they acquired the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. This acquisition of luxury brands represented a shift in strategic thinking enabling Tata Motors to rethink their Indian portfolio. This in turn enabled the vehicles marketed in India to come in with enhanced safety measures, premium design and styling. Now each new launch of Tata Motors launches to enthusiastic acclaim and captures the market. The Tata Punch is no exception to that, becoming the market leader in its segment when it was launched. The result of Tata meticulously studying what Indian consumers want from their vehicle, the Tata Punch has seen a steady growth both in its popularity as well as sales. Let us look into the factors that make it a good addition to the Indian automotive market.
Tata Punch Engine & Transmission |
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Engine | 1.2-litre Revotron Petrol Engine | 1.2-litre Revotron CNG Engine |
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Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed AMT | 5-Speed Manual |
Power | 87.8 PS | 73.5 PS | |
Torque | 115 Nm | 103 Nm | |
Mileage | 24.39 Kmpl | 33.85 Km/kg | |
Tata Punch Dimensions |
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Length | 3827 mm | 3827 mm | |
Width | 1742 mm | 1742 mm | |
Height | 1615 mm | 1615 mm | |
Wheelbase | 2445 mm | 2445 mm | |
Boot Space | 366 litres | 210L | |
Tata Punch Safety |
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Feature | Variant Available on |
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Airbags | 2(standard to all variants) | 2(standard to all variants) | |
ABS with EBD | Yes(standard to all variants) | Yes(standard to all variants) | |
Rear Parking Sensors | Yes(standard to all variants) | Yes(standard to all variants) | |
All Wheel Disc Brakes | No | No | |
Reverse Parking Camera | Yes(Accomplished and Creative variants) | Yes(Accomplished and Creative variants) | |
Electronic Stability Programme | Yes(standard to all variants) | Yes(standard to all variants) | |
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | TPMS(Creative Only) | TPMS(Creative Only) | |
ISOFIX Mounts | Yes(standard to all variants) | Yes(standard to all variants) | |
Hill Hold Assist | No | No | |
Hill Descent Control | No | No | No |
Tata Punch Features |
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Feature | Variant Available on |
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Floating 17.78cm Touchscreen Infotainment By Harman | Accomplished and Creative | Yes | |
Reverse Parking Camera | Accomplished and Creative | Yes | |
Projector Headlamps | Creative Only | Not in CNG | |
Express Cool | Creative Only | Not in CNG | |
Cooled Glove Box | Creative Only | Not in CNG |
Why you should consider the Tata Punch
A pronounced SUV-like styling that is easy on the eye, a joy to drive, has excellent handling manners, and great ground clearance with the ability to handle hilly and rough terrain effortlessly. That is the Tata Punch for you.
SUV Styling With Ample Ground Clearance
The Tata Punch is a vehicle, offering a blend of SUV styling and hatchback practicality. The Tata Punch features design elements borrowed from the Harrier which enhance its appeal. This includes a split headlight design, body cladding, and skid plates, all of which contribute to its SUV-like appearance. With 187mm of ground clearance, the Tata Punch is well-suited for handling rough and uneven terrains.This is more ground clearance compared to some of its competitors like the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and Citroen C3, making it a good choice for those who need to safely navigate challenging road conditions.
Long List of Features
The average car customer today looks at the features offered with the car. They are not interested in just the basics. What more can be provided seems to have become the mantra of the discerning car buyer. The Tata Punch comes with a long list of must-have and feel-good features. These features include an LCD instrument cluster with an analog speedometer, projector headlamps, keyless entry, auto AC, cruise control, cooled glove box, automatic headlights, electric sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring system, individual front seat armrests, and rain-sensing wipers. The customer is left satisfied with the options they have on offer.
5-Star Global NCAP Rating
Tata Motors has prioritised safety as its selling point. Each car built by them conforms to the highest safety parameters and this has been borne out by the testing they have undergone. The Tata Punch is currently the only car in its segment to be tested by the Global NCAP. As per the earlier testing protocol, the Punch was awarded more points than the Tata Nexon, Altroz and even the Mahindra XUV300. It scored 5 stars in adult occupant safety and 4 stars in child occupant safety. It is an instant attraction for those customers who prioritise the needs of the family above their own. It is also the only car in its segment to offer such a high level of safety. Cruising on highways, weekend excursions and the daily grind are just that much less troubling when you know that you and your family are safe in the vehicle.
Why you should not consider the Tata Punch
The challenge that arises when launching a vehicle is to ensure it hits the sweet spot in terms of its price point when aimed at the target segment. A few compromises might have to be made to ensure this. Here are a few reasons why you might decide not to purchase a Tata Punch.
Missing Features
The Tata Punch, though well-equipped for its class, has some notable omissions in terms of features. These are potential misses since even its stablemates like the Tata Motors Altroz has them. These include the absence of 60-40 split-folding rear seats like in the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, rear AC vents like in the Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Fronx, cup holders in the rear armrest like the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, padded door armrests, and height-adjustable front seatbelts like the Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Hyundai i20. However, it’s worth mentioning that TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and a front armrest have been introduced in recent models to address some of these concerns.
There are still some desirable features missing, such as an auto-dimming IRVM (Interior Rear-View Mirror) like in the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, and a full-size spare tire available in the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Tata Altroz. While it’s understood that not all features can be accommodated, some of these absences may be seen as a letdown for potential buyers.
Engine, Gearbox and NVH Levels
While Tata Motors does offer a petrol and CNG option, this is the same 1.2 L, three cylinder, naturally aspirated engine that does duty on the Altroz, Tigor and Tiago. As can be expected, engine noise gets quite high and the vibration levels are also a downer. Pick up and refinement levels do suffer as a result. The addition of a turbo petrol would have been welcomed by many for the extra power and acceleration offered. A 4 cylinder engine would have been a great draw. There are no plans to bring out a diesel engine which is also a bit of a letdown. Also, the automatic on offer is a simple AMT which detracts a bit from the driving experience, lacking the fun to drive characteristic of the manual. The addition of a torque converter or CVT would have taken performance to another level altogether. While this may have been in order to cut costs while increasing fuel efficiency, the better options offered by its rivals, not to mention other models from the Tata Motors stable, paint the Punch in a poor light.
Cabin
The cabin of the Punch is a good place to be, well thought out, comfortable and practical. However, there is an excess of plastics to be found which detracts from the premium experience the car wishes to offer. This hits home with even more force when we realise that even the top spec variants do not offer soft touch plastics at the very least. Fit and finish do suffer as a result. We must also point out that even though the Punch is marketed as a five seater, the space in the cabin is better utilised to seat four persons in comfort.
Tata Punch variants
Variant | Transmission | Price |
Pure | Manual | Rs. 5.99-7.09 Lakh |
Adventure | Manual/Automatic | Rs. 6.89 lakh- Rs. 8.19 lakh |
Accomplished | Manual/Automatic | Rs. 7.74 lakh- Rs. 9.67 lakh |
Creative DT | Manual/Automatic | Rs. 8.74 lakh-Rs. 9.79 lakh |
The Tata Punch comes in four main variants namely – Pure, Adventure, Accomplished, and Creative. Each variant builds upon the other in terms of features offered. Tata Motors also offer the customer a choice of packs like Rhythm, Dazzle, Sunroof and Flagship. These packs are customisable with each variant and allows the customer the choice to tailor features to his choice. And obviously, we can opt for an automatic should that be desirable.
Best Tata Punch Variant to Buy
The choice is varied thanks to the trims offered with customisable packs. However we would recommend the Creative as the variant to go for. The upgrade is worth it for the value additions and the good to have features like a cooled glovebox, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, auto AC and wipers among others. It is the best value for money variant. If you desire a sunroof, Creative plus the Sunroof pack is the one to buy. We would also recommend the Creative with AMT for those hassle free drives and your driving pleasure
Summary
The Tata Punch is a sub 4 metre car that can be called a micro SUV. Muscular styling, good handling characteristics, and of course, a large ground clearance have contributed to its stature in the eyes of the Indian consumer. A large boot to fit in those bags for weekend trips or simply for those shopping trips to the market and malls, along with a good fuel efficiency have also been instrumental in the sales figures rising. The Tata Punch offers the styling of an SUV combined with the practicality of a hatchback. Park one in your garage today and people will commend you on the smart choice you made.
FAQs on Tata Punch
- What is the mileage of the Tata Punch?
The mileage of Tata Punch ranges from 18.8 Kmpl to 26.99 Km/Kg.
- Is the Hyundai Exter a better buy than the Tata Punch?
Since both the vehicles are priced similarly and cater to the same customer base, we would refer you to our in-depth article on the various aspects of both to help you make an informed choice.
( comparison-hyundai-exter-vs-tata-punch )
- Is the Tata Punch a five or seven seater?
The Tata Punch is a five seater car.
- Does the Tata Punch have a sunroof?
Yes. You can buy a Tata Punch variant with the sunroof option.
- What is the GNCAP rating of Tata Punch?
The Tata Punch is one of the safest cars on the road. It comes with a five star GNCAP rating for adult protection. It also scored four stars in child occupant protection.
