Tata Punch Car Specifications

With a smart exterior and practical interior, Tata Punch is already hitting buyers’ minds. Tata Motors portrayed the Punch as having ‘the agility of a hatchback and the DNA of an SUV’. It isbeing promoted as a ‘sub-compact SUV’.

Tata Punch is manufactured on Tata’s new Alfa architecture. The car is currently available with one 1.2 L petrol engine coupled with a 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox. Its EV version is in progress. It's expected to be in the price range of Rs.5.5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh (ex-showroom).

On the Outside

This is a 3.8 m- long car resting in the segment gap of the Tiago cross-hatchback and Nexon compact SUV. The Punch is much smaller in dimension than the other compact SUVs. Its length, width and wheelbase dimensions are close to that of Maruti Swift. However, a good roof at par with Tata Nexon presents it with an SUV look.

It has a flat-concave bonnet. Daytime Running Lamps run atop the split headlamps. This entire setup links it to the family of Tata Harrier and Safari. The lower half of the front bumper is of black plastic. This part has a large air dam featuring tri-arrow design sections.

The thick side cladding, black pillars and contrasting roof colour make it eye-catchy. The car’s rear door handles are carved out in the C-pillar. Compared to an aggressive front, some might find the rear design submissive. The tail lamps are circular and ‘Y-shaped’ tri-arrow LEDs single out the Punch from the rest. One can notice the one-horn rhinoceros’ pattern in the rear windscreen and the glove box. There are 16-inch diamond - chiselled alloy wheels.

Tata Punch Interiors

The first noticeable thing is the up to 90 degrees openable doors. It makes the entrance quite airy and welcoming. The inside has a layered dashboard pattern which is all different in theme. Contrasting white panels, textured plastics and other materials are quite upmarket. The rectangular air vents are delightful. There is a free-standing touchscreen, climate control buttons, half digital instrument cluster all of which are common features of the Altroz premium hatchback.

The front seats are good but for tall drivers, the thigh support isn’t greatly built. Seat cushioning too is firm. The front seats are adjustable. The window line is low and windows are XL sizes. This enhances side and rear visibility and makes the cabin airier. The reversing camera does make parking easier at congested places.

Coming to the rear seat, the space is at par with Kia Sonet if knee rooms and shoulder rooms are considered.The space under the front seats is good enough to fit the feet of rear-seat passengers. The rear headroom is fair but not very decent for tall people. Their head is likely to brush the roof. What is pleasing is the adjustable rear headrests and an armrest in between the seat. The flat floor will surely add to the comfort of the third passenger in the rear seat. The car has a narrow width. Tata Nexon has a better cabin space, however.

There is a 7-inch touchscreen offered with Anroid Auto and Apple Carplay. The music is delivered through 6 Harman system speakers. The touch interface isn’t very smooth. Other features offered in the top-spec Punch are automatic projector headlamps with LED DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, electric folding mirrors, climate control, cooled glove box, rear wiper and washer, fog lamps with cornering function and a security alarm among others.

The Punch’s boot space is comparable to that of Vitara Brezza. Also, there is the option to fold down the rear seat for more space.

Engine and Performance

Tata Punch is available with a 1.2L, naturally aspirated petrol engine. This is the same as in Tiago, Tigor and Altroz, but has been modified a bit. The engine is capable of generating 86bhp/113Nm. This modification and compliance to BS-VI norms have caused smoother power delivery. The engine sound is audible and over 4,000 rpm it gets quite vocal.

For daily functioning, the engine performs with ease and seems effortless. However, as you look for brisk performance, the engine moves out of its cosiness. Overtaking other vehicles will require careful execution. Gearshifts are light but not as smooth as the other cars. The clutch is light to operate.

The manual transmission has an engine start-stop feature. This one switches off the engine as it comes to standstill. The idea is to save fuel in such scenarios. This system is not speedy.

The automated manual transmission has a refined performance. The freshers using auto gearshift will commend the ease of use. The hill-hold feature isn’t on offer.

Both the transmissions are equipped with City and Eco driving modes.

There is a mature balance in handling and ride quality. The erratic roads are well handled by the car’s suspension. The steering is enjoyable owing to lightness and consistency. The braking system is robust and not dull.

The AMT version has a Traction Pro mode feature. This detects when the vehicle is stuck in mud/snow. On granting permission to the mode via touchscreen, it will guide the driver to get out of the situation.

Tata Punch is competent than the other hatchbacks because of the Traction Pro feature. It is a front-wheel-drive car and must not be put to conditions of four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Safety Features

With very positive ratings from the Global NCAP for its safety features, the Punch is now India’s safest car. It over passed Tata Nexon, Tata Altroz and Mahindra XUV300.

Tata Punch scored 16.45 points for adult safety and 40.89 points for child safety.

It is built on Tata’s new Alpha architecture like that of the Tata Altroz hatchback. The standard safety elements include dual airbags, ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), brake sway control, seat-belt reminder, high-speed alert, rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Tata Punch Accessories

Considering that a well-thought decision has been reached on a car purchase, it's time to delve into car accessories. Elegant Auto Accessories brings you a variety of choices.

Tata Punch Seat Covers

Custom made seat covers- Fabric or Artificial Leather.

Check out the Airbag Friendly Car Seat Covers.

Car Floor Mats

Protect the new car floor from unwanted dust and dirt. Check out our durable and aesthetically-pleasing car floor mats. Click here.

Other Accessories

Car accessories do not just include seat covers and floor mats. It also consists of items that are generally not mandatory but are essential. So, you just name it and we have it. Check out the collection.

The Final Verdict

Tata Punch is a hatchback with SUV pretension. The Punch is quite similar to Renault Tribe but it is more closely associated with an SUV exterior. The elevated seats and ground clearance resemble that of an SUV.

On the style front, the Punch is cheerful and offers adequate space and comfort. However, the engine performance isn’t mood uplifting and the AMT gearbox could have been a bit more sensitive. But for a majority of buyers, the engine performance is likely to fit their parameters.