Tata Motors Launches Refreshed Punch Micro-SUV in India
Tata Motors has just introduced the new Tata Punch facelift to the Indian market. This marks the first major update for the popular micro-SUV since its original launch. The refreshed model brings a completely restyled exterior, a revamped interior, several added features, and even a new engine option.
Booking and Competition Details
Interested buyers can now book the new Punch either online or by visiting their nearest Tata Motors dealership. Deliveries are expected to commence very soon. The Tata Punch continues to compete directly with rivals like the Hyundai Exter, Toyota Taisor, Maruti Fronx, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kiger. In this detailed comparison, we pit the Tata Punch facelift against its closest competitor, the Hyundai Exter.
Tata Punch Facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Price and Variants
The new Tata Punch will be available in eight distinct variants. These include Smart, Pure, Pure Plus, Pure Plus S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished, and Accomplished Plus S. Customers choosing the Pure+ or Adventure variants can opt for a single pane sunroof at an additional cost of Rs 35,000.
Pricing for the updated Punch starts at Rs 5.59 lakh. This reflects a marginal increase of Rs 10,000 compared to the original 2021 entry price of Rs 5.49 lakh. Interestingly, the fully loaded naturally aspirated petrol variant now costs less than before. The newly added turbo-petrol option is priced just Rs 40,000 higher and comes with extra features.
The Hyundai Exter is offered in multiple variants such as EX, EX (O), S Smart, S, S Plus, SX Smart, S Smart, SX, SX Tech, SX Knight edition, SX (O) and SX(O) Connect. Its prices range from Rs 5.7 lakh to Rs 9.6 lakh, ex-showroom.
At the starting price, the Tata Punch undercuts the Hyundai Exter by Rs 5,000. However, the top-end variant of the Punch is Rs 94,000 more expensive than the highest variant of the Exter.
Tata Punch Facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Dimensions
Moving to dimensions, the Punch facelift measures 3876 mm in length, 1742 mm in width, and 1615 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2445 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 193 mm, and it comes with 16-inch alloy wheels. Boot space stands at 366 litres, or 210 litres for the CNG version.
The Hyundai Exter measures 3815 mm in length, 1710 mm in width, and 1631 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2450 mm. Ground clearance is 185 mm, and it gets 15-inch alloy wheels. Boot space is 391 litres, or 210 litres for the CNG model.
Compared to the Exter, the Punch is 61 mm longer and 32 mm wider. It offers 8 mm more ground clearance and larger 16-inch wheels. The Exter, on the other hand, is 16 mm taller and has a 5 mm longer wheelbase. It also provides 25 litres more boot space.
Tata Punch Facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Features
In terms of features, the Punch gets a free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also features a two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated elements. Below this are touch-based air-conditioning controls, with toggles for adjusting fan speed and temperature.
Other notable features include a digital instrument cluster, a single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, a premium sound system, cruise control, and push-button start/stop. On the safety front, the 2026 Tata Punch comes equipped with six airbags, ESC, ABS, TPMS, a 360-degree camera, reverse parking sensors, and more.
The Hyundai Exter gets an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, in-built navigation, and connected car tech. It also offers voice-activated commands in multiple languages, over-the-air updates, a single-pane sunroof, a dashcam with dual cameras, and a semi-digital cluster.
Tata Punch Facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Powertrain
Discussing engine options, the new Tata Punch continues to use a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine produces 88 PS and 115 Nm of torque. In CNG guise, the same engine delivers 73 PS and 103 Nm of torque, paired only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol version is available with both manual and AMT gearbox options.
Additionally, the 2026 Punch will also offer a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. This engine produces 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque, and it comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. It generates 83hp of power and 114Nm of torque. In CNG spec, this engine makes 69hp and 95.2 Nm of torque, available only with the 5-speed manual gearbox.
