Tata Punch

Tata Punch

Tata Motors has been going through a spectacular renaissance of late, coming up with new-age models that are a far departure from earlier offerings, in terms of design, features, and performance. The Tata Punch is the latest entrant from the company into the sub-compact SUV segment, although it only gets front-wheel drive. It is slotted between the Tata Nexon and NRG cross-hatch models, with only a petrol engine with manual and AMT options. The price point is attractive and aggressive, competing with other compact SUVs like the Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, and even some Tata Nexon variants.

How is the Design?       

The Tata Punch looks the part, although there is a certain chunkiness due to its shorter length. The Punch comes with a sophisticated and refined design, with 16-inch wheels for the top-end trim. There is plastic cladding for the car, along with useful LED daytime running lights as well. The front could feel like a micro-version of the Tata Harrier or Safari although it is edgy enough to warrant attention. The rear design has clean lines with a more hatch-like design template. The car is well-proportioned overall and does convey a mini-SUV vibe on the road. The Y-shaped elements for the tail lamps make for a good addition, along with the integrated spoiler at the rear, and chiseled tailgate.

What’s the Interior like?

The Tata Punch sports comfortable and plush interiors. The white and grey plastics have a nice finish to them while the overall look is simple. The top-end trim gets a 7-inch floating island LCD infotainment setup with a 7-inch TFT unit for various displays. The seats feel comfortable enough, with driver seat height adjustment and tilt steering adjustment alike, enabling you to achieve a better driving position.

The rear seats are comfortable and there is generous legroom at the back, with good under-thigh support and headroom alike. There is a near-flat floor layout, helping middle passengers sit more comfortably at the rear. Yet, the Punch does not get rear air conditioning vents. The doors, however, open till 90 degrees and this is supplemented by 190 mm of ground clearance, making egress and ingress quite easy as well. The boot offers 366 litres of capacity, which is helpful indeed.

Tech and Infotainment

The Tata Punch has an infotainment system of 7 inches and another 7-inch TFT driver binnacle display. The infotainment unit does not come with wireless connectivity, although there is Apple CarPlay and other connectivity features. The AMT version comes with Traction Pro as a dedicated mode. Other features include cruise control and the iRA connected car suite which is only an optional feature for the top-end variant.

How does it perform?

The Tata Punch comes with only a single engine option, i.e. the three cylinder 1.2 litre engine that is used in the Altroz. This makes 86 hp and 113 Nm of maximum torque, while being paired to 5-speed manual and AMT systems. The AMT unit performs well enough, although it may not thrill anyone. The drive feels slightly unsteady at times, while the feeling continues when there is a congestion or during peak traffic. There are City and ECO driving modes, along with Traction Pro with the AMT version. This helps with drivability at higher altitudes or in rural zones. The petrol engine has a rougher note, although with good NVH levels, the overall experience is decent. Acceleration is not as effortless, with 16.5 seconds required to get to 100 kmph. The Punch can cruise smoothly at 100 kmph as well, making it a good highway driver.

The AMT system feels sluggish and shifting is not as smooth as you would expect. This is not an issue while driving in the city, although the gearbox does have a manual option for enhancing sportiness. The engine note is better from the 5,500 RPM threshold, with swift manual down-shifting. The manual version has a light clutch for  ease of driving, and it is more exciting to drive as well.

How’s the Driving Experience?

The softer suspension system ensures a more supple ride, while the steering is light, making it suitable for city commutes. The Tata Punch feels more agile on the road and the manual version has a sporty feel to it, which should draw in driving enthusiasts. The Punch is easy to drive, with a great suspension system with limited roll. The car is nicely stable at high speeds and can cruise comfortably on the highway.

There is low road noise, and the driving modes are also a nice addition. The Tata Punch can also take slightly rougher roads comfortably. High ground clearance of 190 mm is also a plus point in this regard. The suspension system can take potholes and bumps neatly although the ride is sometimes jittery at speeds higher than 100 kmph..

How’s the Mileage?

 You can expect around 17 kmpl in terms of real-world fuel economy. Overall mileage figures are decent enough for this segment.

Safety Equipment

The Tata Punch is one of the safest cars in its segment, getting 4 stars for child occupant protection and 5 stars for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP crash test ratings. The Punch scored  16.453 points in the test, making it one of the safest vehicles in the country as well. The Punch has high-strength steel used extensively throughout the chassis, along with safety features like dual airbags, CSC, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX child mounts, brake sway control, seat belt warning, over-speed warning, anti-theft engine immobilizer, speed sensing door locks, central locking, and the flashing emergency brake light.

Which variant to buy?

There is only a petrol engine for the Tata Punch, although it has manual and AMT transmission options. The base variant does not get many features and is not a value for money proposition.  If one has the budget. The top-end Creative trim is packed with features, although it is on the costlier side. The Adventure trim is not really a huge upgrade from the entry-level model, although it has a high price tag. The Accomplished trim offers the most value, offering almost all the features and you can take the optional pack for some more of those. The Creative trim is costly although it has all the bells and whistles that one would desire.

Which Cars Compete in the Segment?

The Tata Punch has several rivals across segments, including the Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV100, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and even the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, at this price point. The Punch is wider and longer than its rivals, although the KUV100 is the tallest car. The Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger are even wider and longer than the Tata Punch.

The Magnite and Kiger have smaller engines, while the Tata Punch has a 1.2 litre engine. Other rivals also have 1.2 litre petrol engines at this price point. The Tata Punch has better power output than many other cars here, although the Swift is the most powerful amongst them all. Where the Punch stands out is its vast list of features, which are at par with most of its competitors in the segment, while getting some additional goodies like connected car technology (optional), 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, cruise control, and automatic wipers and headlamps. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is the only one with wireless mobile phone charging, although it is available as an optional feature for the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. The Tata Punch makes for a good option as compared to its rivals. Those seeking a good sub-compact SUV with a long feature list, stylish looks, and a refined engine will gravitate towards it.

Verdict

The Tata Punch makes for an attractive proposition, considering its features, good drivability, stylish design, and elevated seating position. Yet, the pricing could be a downer for some buyers, especially since there are sub-compact SUVs and premium hatchbacks at this price point, while the performance is not as inspiring as one would want. The AMT setup also has its fair share of niggles. Yet, the cabin offers generous space, while boot space is great as well.. The styling is spot-on with the resemblance to the Harrier. The car has a good audio system from Harman along with several additional features like Traction Pro, automatic wipers and headlamps, cruise control, connected car tech as optional, and a cooled glovebox.

What adds to the appeal of the Tata Punch is its high safety quotient. Yes, the engine and performance are not as exciting, the suspension is firmer than desired, and the AMT system could have been better. However, if you take the overall proposition, then the Tata Punch offers great value for buyers, if they are looking for that SUV-feel at a lower price, with good features and a stylish design. The fact that it is one of the safest cars in India is another plus point by all means.