- Introduction- Tata Punch
The Tata Punch is Tata Motors’ foray into the burgeoning micro-SUV / compact SUV segment in India. Launched in October 2021, the Punch blends the rugged styling cues of an SUV with the compact dimensions and affordability of a hatchback, making it a compelling option for buyers seeking a small car with strong road presence, practicality, and modern features.
In a market where urban driving conditions and occasional uneven roads coexist, Tata positions the Punch as a vehicle that can handle both city commutes and tougher stretches with confidence. With its bold looks, safety credentials, and a choice of petrol and CNG options, the Tata Punch aims to punch above its weight in the micro-SUV race.
- Overview (Specifications)
Here’s a summary of the key specifications and mechanicals of the Tata Punch :
Parameter Value / Detail
Launch Date 18 October 2021
Seating Capacity 5 seater
Body Type Micro / compact SUV
Engine 1.2-litre Revotron petrol (1,199 cc)
Max Power 85 bhp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque 113 Nm (at ~3,300 rpm)
Transmission Options 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT
Fuel Types Petrol; Petrol + CNG (iCNG)
Mileage / Fuel Efficiency 18.9 km/l (petrol manual & AMT)
~20 km/l for CNG variant
Ground Clearance 187 mm
Boot / Cargo Volume 366 litres
Fuel Tank Capacity 37.0 litres (petrol)
Drive Type Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Dimensions 3,827 mm (length) × 1,742 mm (width) × 1,615 mm (height), wheelbase 2,445 mm
Suspension McPherson strut front, twist-beam rear
Top Speed ~150 km/h (approx)
Acceleration (0–100 kmph) ~16.5 seconds (approx)
In addition to these technicals, the Punch is built on Tata’s ALFA architecture, which is a lightweight yet sturdy platform underlying several small Tata cars, intended to offer structural rigidity and safety.
- Variants and Price
The Tata Punch is offered in a wide spread of variants to cater to different buyer preferences. According to CarandBike, there are 33 variants in total: 24 petrol variants and 9 petrol + CNG (iCNG) variants.
The ex-showroom price range for Tata Punch (all variants) is ₹ 5.5 lakh to ₹ 9.3 lakh (India) . The base variant is the Pure (petrol), while the top-of-the-line variant is Accomplished S Plus iCNG Camo Edition.
Here are a few representative variants and their starting ex-showroom prices :
Pure (petrol) — ~ ₹ 5.5 lakh
Pure (O) — ~ ₹ 6.24 lakh
Adventure (petrol) — ~ ₹ 6.56 lakh
Adventure Plus (petrol) — ~ ₹ 6.88 lakh
Pure iCNG — ~ ₹ 6.68 lakh
Adventure iCNG — ~ ₹ 7.43 lakh
Adventure Plus iCNG — ~ ₹ 7.75 lakh
Adventure S iCNG — ~ ₹ 7.93 lakh
Tata also provides city-specific on-road pricing: e.g. in Mumbai the Punch ex-showroom price starts from – ₹ 6.25 lakh
Because of the number of variants, the features and equipment may differ across trims (e.g. some advanced features are available only in higher trims).
- Features — Exterior & Interior
Exterior Features
The Tata Punch exhibits a bold, muscular exterior design with cues reminiscent of Tata’s larger SUVs, offering a strong road presence despite its compact proportions.
Key exterior design / styling aspects include:
Split headlamp design: DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) are placed above the main headlamp cluster.
H-shaped DRLs for visual signature.
Tri-arrow grille design, giving it a distinctive look.
Muscular wheel arches and body cladding to enhance ruggedness.
16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels in higher variants.
Dual-tone roof option (in select variants) to add premium feel.
LED taillights, and styling “easter eggs” (e.g. a rhinoceros icon hidden on the rear windshield)
High ground clearance (187 mm) helps the Punch confidently navigate urban potholes and rougher patchy roads.
Traction Pro mode: While not a physical exterior feature, this mode aids in tackling low-traction surfaces (mud, loose terrain).
Interior & Comfort / Convenience Features
Inside the Tata Punch, Tata combines practicality with a touch of premium elements in higher variants. The interior is designed to maximize usable space, comfort, and convenience.
Interior / feature highlights include:
Seating and upholstery: Fabric upholstery in base trims; higher trims get accents and color-matching details to coordinate with exterior color themes.
Infotainment: A 7-inch Harman Kardon touchscreen unit in higher variants; lower trims may have a more basic display (4-inch)
Smart storage: Over 25 utility/space compartments (umbrella nooks, bottle holders, cubby holes) across the cabin.
Cooled glove box in top variants for better cooling of stored items.
Air conditioning / climate: Automatic climate control is offered (in higher variants)
Rear AC vents (in updated / newer trims) to improve rear passenger comfort.
Seating position and comfort: The seats offer reasonable under-thigh support; the rear floor is relatively flat which helps in making the rear more usable.
Steering & controls: Steering-mounted audio controls; push-button start / stop in higher trims; comfortable ergonomics of switchgear.
Other features: Keyless entry, power windows, and safety & security features (discussed below) are part of the feature set.
That said, in lower trims, some advanced features (automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers etc.) may not be present.
- Safety Features and Ratings
Safety is one of the strongest selling points of the Tata Punch. Tata has emphasized robustness and crash safety in its marketing and engineering of the Punch.
Safety Features
Some of the notable safety and driver-assistance features in the Tata Punch include:
Dual airbags (standard across trims)
ABS with EBD (Anti-lock Braking System + Electronic Brake-force Distribution)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) / vehicle stability aids in higher trims
ISOFIX child-seat mounting points for child safety
High-strength steel body / strong structural design (owing to the ALFA architecture)
Additional supporting features (e.g. brake sway control)
Traction Pro mode for handling slippery surfaces / low traction roads
Safety Ratings
In crash testing, the Tata Punch has achieved impressive scores:
Global NCAP (as tested in 2021) awarded the Punch strong safety ratings for adult occupant protection and child occupant protection.
It is among the few cars in its class to earn 5-star ratings for adult safety in the Global NCAP test protocol.
Hence, Tata promotes the Punch as a class-leading option in terms of safety in the micro-SUV segment.
- Similar / Competitor Cars
In the (micro / compact SUV) space, the Tata Punch competes with several models. According to CarandBike, some of the comparable or competing models are:
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault Kiger
Nissan Magnite
Additionally, CarandBike provides a “Quick Compare” table showing comparisons with:
Hyundai Exter
Mahindra XUV 3XO
Citroen Aircross X
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Citroen C3 Aircross
In that table, Punch’s price range, engine specs, and mileage are compared with those rivals.
While some of these are a bit higher up or lower down in size / segment, the Punch tries to sit in that niche where affordability, safety, styling, and utility intersect.
When viewed in competition:
The Punch’s safety credentials help it stand out among rivals that may not match its crash test performance.
Its ground clearance and rugged looks give it an edge in perceived capability vs. typical hatchbacks.
However, some rivals may offer more powerful engines, more features, or more space, so the Punch’s value proposition needs to be balanced.
- FAQs
Here are some likely frequently asked questions about the Tata Punch, along with answers drawn from the data:
Q1. What is the starting price of Tata Punch?
A: The Tata Punch ex-showroom price in India starts from ~ ₹ 5.5 lakh and goes up to ~ ₹ 9.3 lakh depending on variant.
Q2. What engine options does the Tata Punch offer?
A: Tata Punch comes with a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine (1,199 cc). Transmission choices include 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT. In addition, some variants are offered with a petrol + CNG (iCNG) setup.
Q3. What is the mileage of the Tata Punch?
A: The claimed mileage for petrol (manual and AMT) variants is ~ 18.9 km/l . For the CNG variant, it is ~ 20 km/l (or higher under ideal conditions) .
Q4. What is the ground clearance of the Tata Punch?
A: The ground clearance is 187 mm.
Q5. Does Tata Punch come with good safety ratings?
A: Yes. The Tata Punch has earned a 5-star rating in adult occupant protection in the Global NCAP crash tests.
Q6. How many variants does the Punch come in?
A: The Punch is offered in 33 variants (24 petrol variants + 9 petrol + CNG variants).
Q7. How big is the boot / cargo space?
A: It offers 366 litres of boot / cargo capacity.
Q8. What are the color options for the Punch?
A: Tata offers the Punch in 8 colors: Foliage Green, Tornado Blue, Daytona Grey, Tropical Mist, Altomic Orange, Meteor Bronze, Calypso Red, and Orcus White.
- Mileage and Colours
Mileage
The petrol variants (manual & AMT) deliver ~ 18.9 km/l as per ARAI / manufacturer claims.
The petrol + CNG (iCNG) variant is claimed to deliver ~ 20 km/l (or more, under ideal conditions)
In real-world conditions, mileage can vary due to driving style, traffic, load, terrain, etc.
Colours
The Tata Punch is available in 8 color options:
Foliage Green
Tornado Blue
Daytona Grey
Tropical Mist
Altomic Orange
Meteor Bronze
Calypso Red
Orcus White
Depending on variant (especially top trims), there may also be dual-tone roof combinations that further enhance the visual appeal.
- Conclusion
The Tata Punch is a strong contender in the micro-SUV / compact SUV segment in India. It offers a compelling mix of:
Stylish and rugged design — with SUV-like cues in a compact footprint
Impressive safety credentials — including a 5-star Global NCAP rating
Good feature content in higher variants (infotainment, cooled glovebox, etc.)
Practicality — decent boot, good ground clearance, usable rear space
Affordable pricing — spread across many variants, catering to different needs
Mileage / efficiency — sensible performance for everyday use
However, there are trade-offs to keep in mind: the AMT may exhibit shift hesitation, and rear legroom for taller passengers may feel tight on long journeys. The features in lower trims are more basic, so buyers looking for a fully-loaded experience may need to step up to higher variants.
Overall, the Tata Punch stands out as a value-packed, safe, and stylish choice for those wanting SUV appeal in a compact package. It punches well above many hatchbacks while maintaining affordability and practicality.
