Tata Punch: Knock Out! – The Hindu BusinessLine

There’s no denying that when it came to the small car segment, Maruti Suzuki was everywhere. The dominance might have not changed entirely but if you were to look at segment-wise figures, a new trend has emerged. That a Tata product could find its way to the top of the charts — as the best-selling car — isn’t something anyone would’ve imagined, but that is what happened.

In the calendar year 2024, Tata Punch became the best-selling passenger car in India, beating Maruti Suzuki’s unchallenged reign that lasted four decades. So what makes the Punch this good, and what do you miss if you plan to shop elsewhere? We find out in a fresh drive of Tata’s star car.

One of the biggest reasons behind the Punch’s unabated run is its wide availability. Of course, you don’t get a diesel-engined version, but there’s the petrol-powered Punch, a model which uses CNG for propulsion, and a completely new Punch.ev, too. So, no matter what your driving preference or requirement is, Tata has tried to ensure that there’s a Punch for everyone in the segment. We drove the Punch.ev sometime ago and came back impressed. This one shouldn’t be too different.

Among the current range, the Camo edition shows how Tata wants to keep the Punch relevant. We’ll come to the non-standard inclusions on this one in a bit but first, let us recapitulate what the Punch offers in terms of visual appeal. If you remember, the Punch’s design (when it was new) heralded Tata’s new design language: a brilliant mix of bold styling and modern appeal. The split LED DRLs and the muscular bumper give the facade an aggressive touch.

The contrasting roof with black pillars adds to what is referred to as the ‘floating roof’ effect while the Punch’s overall stance, despite its small footprint, is quite commanding. The 16-inch grey alloy wheels only further that. The quite distinct taillight design sets the Punch apart, although the awkwardly placed boot release button is an odd choice. Then there’s the very decent 187 mm ground clearance, along with squared-off wheel arches and a high bonnet line, all of which come together to make the Punch, well, punch above its weight.

The special feeling

The Camo edition that we have here not only gets the nice camouflage motifs on the seats but also discreet badging on the front wings. The bodywork is finished in a unique ‘Seaweed Green’ shade and the white roof complements that. Tata knows how to make its customers feel special —and that is by including features from its more premium models without massively increasing the price of cars like the Punch — and it’s evident here, too.

What’s also noticeable is how Tata has added certain features, ensuring that the buyer doesn’t feel shortchanged in terms of overall modernity. The onboard USB-C ports handle all the charging needs, there’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and the Express Cool feature proves to be a sure-shot way of forgetting that we’re headed towards peak summer.

The seats are comfortable, there’s even a centre armrest and the space at the back is worth a mention, too. Even tall passengers are bound to find the Punch reasonably spacious and comfortable.

On the downside, the interior lacks premium materials, so you’re going to be reminded of its humble positioning in the market. The door pockets are shallow, too, which is another annoyance. Thankfully, the 388-litre boot isn’t bad at all.

What powers it?

Driving the Punch shows that it has been made with Indian conditions in mind. For the conventionally powered version, buyers get to choose between a standard 5-speed manual and an automated manual gearbox.

Regardless of the gearbox, the Punch is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, which makes 87 hp and 11.78 kg-m. The clutch is light, and the shifts are slick, too, which shows how Tata has improved its products in this area. This, of course, makes driving the Punch more engaging, and while the engine needs to be pushed a little for highway use, especially when overtaking, the available power seems adequate for city driving.

While it mightn’t offer the most thrilling drive, the Punch’s ride quality can’t be faulted. The suspension is great at absorbing bad bumps without losing its overall composure. The steering feels light enough to handle urban driving, but as soon as the Punch picks up speed, it weighs up nicely, too. There’s substantial body roll, which is felt the most when carrying some speed through corners but I think given the car’s tall-boy design, that is expected.

The balance between the stellar ride and the Punch’s decent composure is complemented by its amazing safety cred. The Punch is still one of the very few cars, especially in the price bracket, to be awarded a full 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. You get dual airbags, ABS and EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking sensors with a reverse camera, and ESC as part of the standard equipment.

Tata Motors has been making safe cars for quite a long time —from much before things like crash-worthiness became a common topic of discussion —and it’s good to see that they haven’t cut corners with the Punch. Not in the safety department, at least.

The Punch is priced ₹6.2 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, while the better-specced and more unique Camo edition (tested) is priced from ₹8.44 lakh (ex-showroom). This represents brilliant value, which has become a prerequisite in the segment, thanks in part to other value-focused cars like the Hyundai Exter.

The Punch is a mix of attractive design, maximised interior space, premium features, top-class safety, and an unbeatable price tag.

There are some downsides, too, like the interior materials and an unenthusiastic engine. Do these things matter when you look at the bigger picture? Well, if you’re after an urban-oriented compact SUV, probably not. The Punch is a complete package incorporating the right mix of style, substance and safety. It also shows what a well-made and unquestionably well-priced car can offer without compromising the basics. It’s a push for other carmakers to take the budget segment more seriously and a clear message to buyers that they just can’t ignore Tata in this segment. And by the looks of it, buyers have loved the Punch, haven’t they?

Even taller passengers are likely to find the Punch quite spacious and comfortable.”
| Photo Credit: Ishaan Jaiswal

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Published on May 9, 2025