August 2023 - Tata Punch Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Updated: This update of the Tata Punch variants explained includes the latest August prices including new sunroof variants. We've also included the engine and dimensions comparison of the Punch with the Hyundai Exter along with the other affordable SUVs.

Also Read: Hyundai Exter Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Tata Altroz CNG Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Tata Punch Petrol?

The pros or advantages of Tata Punch are:

• Proper SUV styling with baby-Harrier looks in a compact, city-friendly size
• It packs a fairly long list of features like colour LCD instrument cluster, projector headlamps, front and rear armrests, keyless entry, auto AC, auto headlamps, auto wipers, cooled glovebox and cruise control
• Decent ground clearance, boot space, fuel efficiency and power/torque figures
• 5-star GNCAP adult safety rating and 4-stars for children is better than Altroz, Nexon and even XUV300
• 90-degree opening front and rear doors allow easy ingress-egress for occupants, pets or objects you may store in the back seats
• 3 powertrain options — petrol-manual, petrol-automatic and CNG-manual
• Option of buying the top Creative variant without the sunroof

The Tata Punch petrol has the following shortcomings or problems:

• With the special variants, the Punch ends up with a confusing list of combinations
• The top-spec variant with AMT (Creative + Flagship pack) breaches the Rs. 10.0 lakh mark; the Exter tops out at Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom)
• No CNG bi-fuel option — Addressed by Tata with August 2023 update
• Missing features - front armrest, tyre pressure sensors — Addressed by Tata with August 2023 update
• Missing features — split-folding rear seatbacks, rear AC vents
• Overpriced mid variants and no true VFM variant, which we can recommend with our eyes closed
• Besides ground clearance and road presence, the Altroz offers better VFM in higher variants, more features, turbo petrol and turbo diesel engine options and the same 5-star adult safety rating
• The ground clearance is acceptable, but considerably less than the 200mm+ figure we’ve come to expect from Tata SUVs

What Is The Price Of Tata Punch Petrol Variants?

The Tata Punch is available in 4 main variants with a starting price of Rs. 6.0 lakh for the Pure petrol-manual. The top-end Creative variant with the petrol-automatic powertrain costs Rs. 9.35 lakh (ex-showroom). The AMT automatic transmission is available in the top 3 variants. The price difference between the manual and automatic variants is constant at Rs. 60,000.

Besides these 4 variants, there’s also the option of special packs available with specific variants for the additional prices as mentioned in the following table:

With the additional prices of the special variants, the ex-showroom prices of the specific variant combinations comes out as mentioned in the table below:

We wish Tata offered the special packs as dealer-level add ons. Including the special packs in the ex-showroom prices has a cascading effect on the on-road prices as the GST, road tax, registration fee and insurance use the ex-showroom price as the baseline. Billing the additional features as dealer-level accessories would not only keep the net cost lower for the customers but also help dealers with a consistent revenue stream. From the buyers standpoint, the accessories can be covered in the insurance while protecting the customers from the cascading effects of the taxes (taxes on top of taxes). This move would have also kept the ex-showroom prices well under the Rs. 10.0 lakh mark.

Tata Punch Petrol Pure - Base Model Standard Features

The base model of the Tata Punch is only available with a petrol-manual powertrain and costs Rs. 6.0 lakh. The Punch Pure has the following notable features:

• Anti-stall assist
• Tilt steering
• Adjustable front headrests
• Black door handles and outside mirrors
• Body-coloured bumpers
• Wheel arch and door cladding
• Drive modes
• Wide opening doors
• Easy-reach horn
• MID
• Manual central locking

The base variant doesn’t get the following important features:

• Day/night inside mirror
• Wheel covers
• Music system
• Steering-mounted controls
• Remote central locking
• Power windows

The Punch Pure variant is also available with the Rhythm pack for an additional Rs. 35,000. The additional features of the Pure + Rhythm pack are listed in the previous table.

The base model of the Punch doesn’t get several must-have features we expect from a car at this price. However, the next higher variant costs way too much for what it offers. Because the Adventure offers poor value for money, we’ll instead suggest you buy the base variant and add some aftermarket accessories. The Rhythm pack itself is also quite expensive for the additional features. But, if you prefer a factory finish, then you can compromise on the value front and go with Rhythm + Pure. You canteen add a few must-have accessories from the aftermarket for a decent ownership experience.

Tata Punch Petrol Pure vs Adventure Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Punch Adventure costs Rs. 6.90 lakh with the manual and Rs. 7.50 lakh with the automatic. The AMT automatic transmission carries a premium of Rs. 60,000 over the manual. The Adventure variant is Rs. 90,000 more expensive than the Pure. For Punch automatic buyers, this is the most affordable variant.

Over the base Pure variant, it adds the following notable features:

• Boot light
• Wheel covers
• All power windows
• Remote central locking
• Music system with 4 speakers, Bluetooth, aux and USB
• Day/night inside mirror
• Power mirrors
• Steering-mounted controls
• Body-coloured outside door handles and mirrors

While the Adventure variant covers the basics quite well, you may still miss the following features in this variant:

• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Touchscreen
• Rear camera
• Projector or LED headlamps
• LED DRLs
• Rear defogger
• Rear washer wiper

The Punch Adventure variant is also available with Camo and Rhythm special variants, which cost Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 35,000, respectively. The additional features you get with the Punch Adventure special variants are listed in the previous table. The ex-showroom prices of the Adventure + Camo and Adventure + Rhythm are listed in the following table:

Punch Adventure: Though the Adventure variant gets several must-have features, on the value front, it’s not a good option. So, we’ll suggest you instead go for the lower Pure trim or spend some more for the Accomplished variant.

Punch Adventure Rhythm: Since the Adventure itself is quite expensive for the additional features, the Adventure Rhythm is also not recommended.

Punch Adventure Camo: Just like the Adventure, with or without the Rhythm pack, the Adventure Camo is also not recommended because of its poor value for money ranking.

Tata Punch Petrol Adventure vs Accomplished Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Punch Accomplished costs Rs. 7.75 lakh with the manual and Rs. 8.35 lakh with the automatic. The Accomplished variant is Rs. 85,000 more expensive than the Adventure.

It adds the following notable features over the Adventure variant:

• Rear camera
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Cruise control
• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Glovebox light
• Style wheel covers
• Front fog lamps
• Front centre individual armrests (New)

In this variant, you may miss features like:

• Split-folding rear seatbacks
• Auto AC
• LED DRLs
• Projector or LED headlamps
• Rear washer wiper
• Rear defogger
• Power folding outside mirrors

You can also buy the Punch Adventure with special packs like Camo, Dazzle, Sunroof, Dazzle + Camo and Sunroof + Dazzle. The additional features you get with the special packs over the Adventure trim’s regular features are mentioned in the previous table. The ex-showroom prices of the Punch Adventure Dazzle and Adventure Camo are listed in the following table:

The following table gives you a comparison of the ex-showroom prices of the Punch Accomplished with the Dazzle pack and Dazzle + Camo pack:

The following table gives you a price comparison of the Punch Adventure with the Sunroof pack and Sunroof + Dazzle pack:

Punch Accomplished: The Accomplished offers better value than the lower Adventure variant but doesn’t quite cover the complete price gap from the base Pure variant. If you don’t want to spend any more or are comfortable with skipping the top model’s features, then the Accomplished is a good choice. It has a decent balance of value and features to provide a good ownership experience. However, if you are interested in a few more features, then the upgrade to the Creative trim is worth it.

Punch Accomplished Sunroof: The Accomplished Sunroof is also worth buying for the sunroof. If you’re willing to skip the sunroof, then Creative will offer better ownership experience and a far better value for money.

Punch Accomplished Dazzle: The Accomplished Dazzle is also worth buying if you don’t want to spend any more for a higher variant.

Punch Accomplished Camo: The Accomplished Camo is also a good value option with a balanced feature set and a more unique styling. This is also worth buying for the style as it only costs Rs. 5,000 more.

Punch Accomplished Dazzle + Camo: This combination is also worth buying if you’re considering the Accomplished Dazzle. Moreover, the addition of Camo pack only costs Rs. 3,000.

Punch Accomplished Sunroof + Dazzle: For Rs. 55,000 more, you’ll get a lot more features and better value for money with the Creative Sunroof. So, we’ll suggest Punch Sunroof + Dazzle buyers to upgrade to the Creative Sunroof instead.

Tata Punch Petrol Accomplished vs Creative Variant - Price, Feature Comparison

The Tata Punch Creative variant costs Rs. 8.75 lakh with the manual and Rs. 9.35 lakh with the automatic. It’s Rs. 1.0 lakh more expensive than the Accomplished trim.

The Punch Creative gets the following notable additional features:

• Halogen projector headlamps
• LED DRLs
• Leather steering and gear lever
• Larger 16-inch machined alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Rear armrest
• Rear washer wiper
• Rear defogger
• Auto AC
• Auto wipers
• Auto headlamps
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Cooled glovebox
• 7-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster
• Power folding outside mirrors
• Dual-tone roof
• TPMS (New)

Even in the well-loaded Creative trim, you may miss features like:

• Rear AC vents
• Split-folding rear seatbacks

The Punch Creative also gets some special packs — Sunroof and Flagship. The additional features you get with these packs over the Creative are listed in the previous table. For a price comparison of the Punch 

Punch Creative: From a value standpoint, the Creative variant offers better value for money than the mid variants and is worth buying. But it also adds several features, which are not must-have in our books. So, you can buy it if you want better value and you find some of the features of this variant exciting. Otherwise, the lower Accomplished is also a good choice.

Punch Creative Sunroof: For Punch Creative buyers who want a sunroof, this is a good option.

Punch Creative Flagship: Besides the features of the Creative Sunroof, the Punch Creative Flagship adds telematics for an additional Rs. 30,000. This is not a must-have feature for most buyers. So, we’ll leave it up to you to decide if you should upgrade to Creative Flaship over the Creative Sunroof.

Which Variant Of The Tata Punch Petrol Should You Buy?

From a value standpoint, the base variant is the best choice and worth buying for budget buyers. The Adventure variant now offers poor value for money and is not recommended despite adding several must-have features. The Accomplished is a balanced choice for most buyers as it offers better value than the Adventure along with a good number of must-have and good-to-have features. However, if you’re interested in better value and more features, then the upgrade to the top model is also worth it.

Similarly, for Punch automatic buyers, the is not worth buying while the Accomplished is our top recommendation. The top-spec Creative trim has a better VFM score but some of its high-value features are good-to-have at best. At least in terms of value, it’s a good option and totally worth considering if you are comfortable with stretching your budget.

What Are The Engine Specifications Of The Tata Punch Petrol?

Just like its competitors, the Punch also has a normal petrol engine. With 88PS power and 115Nm torque output the figures are marginally better than other 1.2L petrol SUVs. But it’s considerably more powerful and torquey than the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger’s smaller 1.0L normal petrol engine.

Speaking of torque, the Punch has its torque peaking at a fairly low 3250rpm, which should help it with drivability. However, among the Punch’s rivals, only the Exter offers a 4-cylinder engine, which runs idles smoother and offers better refinement than 3-cylinder engines.

In terms of fuel efficiency, only the Punch petrol-manual breaches the 20.0kmpl mark but its competitors are also pretty close, clustered around the 19.0kmpl mark.

What Are The Dimensions Of The Tata Punch?

The Punch and Exter are fairly short in length compared to their rivals like the Magnite, Kiger and C3.. It also has the shortest wheelbase but its boot space of 366 litres and ground clearance of 187mm are respectable. The Exter offers better boot space than the Punch but is lagging by 2mm in the ground clearance. While its rivals offer either a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel option, the Punch is the only one offering both wheel sizes depending on the variant you choose. To know how the wheel size affects the fuel effiecicny and drivabilty, read the following article: 10 Tips To Get Better Mileage From Your Petrol, Diesel Or CNG Car

What Are The Colour Options Of The Tata Punch?

The Punch is available in the following 5 monotone exterior colours:

• White (all variants)
• Grey (all variants)
• Orange (Adventure and higher variants)
• Light blue (Adventure and higher variants)
• Brown (Accomplished and higher variants)

The Punch top model is available in the following 7 dual-tone colours:

• White with black roof
• Grey with black roof
• Orange with black roof
• Light blue with black roof
• Brown with black roof
• Red with white roof
• Blue with white roof

Green with white roof dual-tone colour option is only available if you buy the Camo pack with the Adventure or Accomplished variant.

Note: Here is a quick look at our length-based segmentation of cars to give you an idea of how we are classifying cars based on their size.

Also Read: Car Segments Explained - With Body Styles And Examples