Updated Tata Punch review: Stylish, practical, and ready for urban roads
When a city-focused SUV manages to balance charisma with capability, practicality with personality, and efficiency with everyday usability, it earns more than just attention — it earns trust. That has been the story of the Tata Punch since its debut, and the updated version builds on that foundation with subtle design tweaks, a broader engine lineup and thoughtful feature enhancements, reinforcing its position in India’s fiercely competitive sub-compact SUV segment.
City streets or open roads, the Punch handles it all with style and poise.
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Visually, the Punch continues to exude confidence. Its signature “Pure SUV” stance — upright yet compact — has been sharpened with revised LED headlamps, updated bumpers and new alloy wheel options. These refinements elevate its road presence without diluting the bold, slightly rugged character that has defined the Punch from the outset. The colour palette, ranging from the striking Bengal Rouge to the understated Daytona Grey, adds to its visual appeal and helps it stand out in everyday urban traffic.
Inside, the cabin reflects a clear step up in perceived quality. The dual-tone upholstery, refreshed door trims and clean dashboard layout give the interior a more premium feel while remaining functional. A 26.03 cm touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay sits at the centre, supported by a fully digital driver display that presents information clearly. Automatic climate control with Tata’s Xpress Cool function ensures quick cooling, a feature particularly useful in dense city driving in hot conditions.
Bold, compact, and confident — the Tata Punch makes every drive stand out.
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Space utilisation continues to be one of the Punch’s understated strengths. Despite its compact footprint, the cabin feels airy, and the boot remains usable even in the iCNG variant. Tata’s twin-cylinder CNG setup is neatly packaged under the boot floor, allowing the Punch iCNG to retain around 210 litres of luggage space — an impressive figure for a CNG-equipped vehicle in this segment.
Under the bonnet, Tata has broadened the Punch’s appeal by introducing a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine alongside the familiar naturally aspirated Revotron unit. The turbo petrol, producing 120 PS and 170 Nm of torque, gives the Punch a noticeably livelier character, making it more confident on highways while remaining easy to manage in city traffic. Paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, it caters to drivers who enjoy a more engaging and spirited driving experience.
Refined design, versatile cabin, and powerful performance — meet the upgraded Punch.
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For those prioritising efficiency, the 1.2-litre Revotron iCNG variant remains a strong proposition. Smooth and well-suited to urban usage, it offers a practical driving range of roughly 400–500 km on a full tank. The availability of a 5-speed AMT with paddle shifters on select trims — a rarity in the CNG space — further enhances ease of use for daily commuters.
Practical touches such as the 90-degree wide-opening doors make daily ingress and egress effortless, while the 193 mm ground clearance allows the Punch to handle broken roads and speed breakers with ease. These attributes give it a versatility that extends beyond pure city driving.
Safety remains a cornerstone of the the Punch’s appeal. Built on a strong structure using high-strength steel, it comes equipped with multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control and hill descent control. This comprehensive safety package reinforces its reputation as one of the more reassuring choices in its class.
From turbo thrills to efficient CNG, the Punch offers something for every driver.
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Special Arrangement
Technology features have also been thoughtfully integrated. USB-C charging ports, rear AC vents, voice-assisted controls and an electric sunroof add a premium touch without feeling excessive. Importantly, many of these features are now available across a wider range of variants, making advanced tech more accessible.
With prices ranging from approximately ₹5.59 lakh to ₹10.54 lakh (ex-showroom), the Tata Punch delivers strong value across its petrol, turbo petrol and CNG line-ups and now has the Hyundai Exter squarely in its sights. Having already crossed the milestone of over 7 lakh units sold, the Punch has clearly resonated with Indian buyers, and this refreshed version only strengthens its case. The updates reflect a more cohesive package, with several early quirks ironed out and the overall experience feeling more polished than before.
As an entry-level SUV, Tata has played a winning hand by offering strong safety credentials, multiple powertrain options and a generous feature list at this price point. While the brand still has room to improve when it comes to after-sales service consistency, the product itself leaves very little to complain about. In a segment crowded with capable rivals, the Tata Punch continues to stand out as a confident, well-rounded offering — one that delivers far more than its size or price might suggest.
Price range: INR 5.59 – 10.54 lakh
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Published – January 31, 2026 10:00 am IST
