Tata Punch: A Top-Selling Micro SUV with 5-Star Safety

The Tata Punch is a popular choice in the micro SUV segment. It is known for its tough, muscular look and its impressive 5-star safety rating. This article focuses on the top-of-the-line Creative Plus S variant.

Pricing and Savings

Following the new GST changes, buyers can save around ₹1 Lakh on the Tata Punch. The base model, which previously started at ₹6,19,000 (ex-showroom), is now available for ₹5,67,000 (ex-showroom).

For the top Creative Plus S petrol variant, the ex-showroom price is ₹8,55,000, and the on-road price is approximately ₹9,78,000. If you choose a CNG variant, the top model called Accomplish CNG will cost ₹9,14,000 (ex-showroom) and ₹10,47,000 (on-road). Financing options are available, with an EMI of around ₹15,000 for a 3-year loan, ₹10,000 for 5 years, and ₹8,000 for 7 years, assuming a down payment of ₹4,78,000 on the petrol top model.

Exterior Design and Features

The Tata Punch offers excellent looks, features, and build quality. From the front, it has a muscular appearance with the Tata logo at the center, a glossy black grille, and turn indicators. The top part houses DRLs, while below you’ll find automatic projector headlamps with a yellow tint, and fog lamps. The lower grille is matte black, and there’s a towing hook option. The ground clearance stands at 187 mm.

On the sides, you’ll see dual wipers and washers, and a black roof, which is typical for the top variant with its dual-tone styling. The car comes with a 3-year or 1 Lakh km warranty, which can be extended. Being the top model, it includes automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. It features large 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Disc brakes are in the front, and drum brakes are at the rear. The tires are 195/60 R16 radial. Slim black cladding runs along the sides, and the outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) are auto-foldable, folding when locked and unfolding when unlocked. The smart key has a glossy black finish. The A-pillar and roof are black, part of the dual-tone design, and an electric sunroof is present. Roof rails and a shark fin antenna complete the look. The B-pillars are matte black.

A significant plus point is that all doors open wide at 90 degrees, making it very easy to get in and out of the car. The fuel filler cap for petrol is on the side, with a 37-liter fuel tank capacity. CNG variants also have their nozzle here.

The rear profile looks solid, especially compared to some rivals. It features Tata branding on the backlights. The wide cladding under the doors adds to its robust appearance. The Tata Punch boasts a strong 5-star safety rating and 16-inch alloy wheels, along with fog lamps. The rear has the Tata logo, a reverse parking camera, and prominent “Punch” badging. LED backlights are available from the second-top model onwards and include turn indicators and reverse lights. Other rear features include a rear wiper, defogger, high mount stop lamp, shark fin antenna, and roof rails. A “Vocal for Local” sticker is also visible. The rear bumper is black, with white LED license plate lights, two ultrasonic parking sensors, reflectors, and a tri-arrow design pattern. The exhaust pipe is also visible.

Boot Space

The Tata Punch offers a spacious 366 liters of boot space. It includes a parcel tray that can be removed. The rear seats fold down completely as one unit, without a 60:40 split. There’s also a hook capable of holding up to 1 kg and a yellow boot light. Below, you’ll find the spare tire, which is a 15-inch steel rim, one size smaller than the main wheels. A tool kit, jack, and spanner are also stored here. CNG variants also come with a spare tire, unlike some competitors.

Interior Comfort and Technology

The interior of the Tata Punch top model is designed with comfort and technology in mind. The doors feature a dual-tone finish, with controls for the power windows, door opener, speaker, and bottle holder. The seats are made of fabric, with no leather upholstery option available in any variant. Both height adjustment and recline options are available for the driver’s seat.

Inside, the dashboard has a dual-tone design and a large touchscreen. It features a fully digital instrument cluster and two airbags. An electric sunroof, though a smaller size, is present. For rear passengers, there are AC vents and a Type-A USB port. Seating offers good legroom, knee room, thigh support, and headroom, providing a comfortable experience for all occupants. The rear also includes grab handles, hooks, a parcel tray, and two adjustable headrests. All three rear passengers have seat belt points. There’s also an armrest, though it doesn’t include glass holders. The floor is largely flat for added comfort.

The smart key allows for locking, unlocking, boot unlocking, and has follow-me-home headlamp buttons. A request sensor on the door handle allows for keyless entry and exit. The driver’s door trim is dual-tone and includes controls for all four power windows, ORVM adjustments, and an umbrella holder. The front dashboard also has a dual-tone finish. Below the steering wheel, you’ll find ABC pedals, a dead pedal, and a lever to open the hood. The car features a push-button start/stop, two drive modes, fog lamp controls, and an idle start/stop button, along with central locking buttons.

The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features the Tata logo. It includes cruise control buttons and controls for telephone and infotainment. The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable. Automatic headlamps and wipers have their controls on the stalks. The fully digital instrument cluster displays the RPM meter, digital speed, audio information, range, and trip details like average mileage and outside temperature. Fuel information and temperature bars are also shown.

The center console highlights a 10.25-inch touchscreen that can also operate the climate control, fan speed, and temperature. It comes with a reverse parking camera that offers good quality and a zoom option, though a 360-degree camera is not available. The infotainment system supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB, and Aux connectivity. Below the screen are the hazard light switch and black AC vents with grey surrounds. Automatic climate control allows for easy adjustment of fan speed and airflow. There’s a 12V charging outlet, Type-A and Type-C USB ports (45W for fast charging), and a wireless charging pad. The car has a 5-speed manual transmission. Two glass holders and a manual handbrake are present. A slideable armrest with storage adds convenience. The glove box is deep and includes a light, a tablet holder, and a cooling function. The IRVM is manually adjustable. White LED roof lights and a microphone are present. The electric sunroof is designed for a single person to comfortably use. The passenger sun visor has a vanity mirror, and the driver’s side has a ticket holder.

Engine and Performance

The Tata Punch is powered by a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder Revotron petrol engine. Being a three-cylinder engine, it might produce slightly more noise compared to a four-cylinder engine. This engine delivers 85 BHP of power and 115 Nm of torque. It comes with an ABS with EBD unit and proper insulation under the hood.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the petrol variant offers a mileage of 18-19 kmpl. The CNG variant, while having slightly less power, provides an impressive mileage of 26-27 kmpl.

Safety Features

Safety is a strong suit for the Tata Punch, earning it a 5-star rating. It is equipped with:

• ABS with EBD
• Dual Airbags
• Reverse Parking Sensors
• Reverse Parking Camera
• Speed Alert System
• Seat Belt Warning
• Engine Immobilizer
• Crash Sensor
• Traction Control
• ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
• TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

Dimensions and Colors

The dimensions of the Tata Punch are:

• Length: 3827 mm
• Width: 1742 mm
• Height: 1615 mm
• Wheelbase: 2445 mm

Color options include White, Grey, Red, and Tropical Mist Orange.

Conclusion

The Tata Punch’s top model, Creative Plus S, offers a comprehensive package of features, appealing looks, and robust build quality. It remains a top-selling vehicle, indicating its popularity and strong market position. Future updates are expected to introduce even more features, such as a 360-degree camera, a new steering wheel, and additional airbags.