Tata has launched a mid-life facelift for the Punch subcompact SUV, bringing not only a revised exterior and new features but also new powertrain options – something rarely seen with facelifts. New to the line-up are a CNG AMT version and the much-needed turbo-petrol engine from the Nexon with significantly more power. Let’s dive deeper into the improvements that the new Punch has over its predecessor.
1. Improved safety kit
The Punch facelift comes with enhanced safety features. You get 4 more airbags (six airbags as standard), a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), hill-hold assist and front adjustable headrests on the entry-level trim itself. Higher trims have additional safety features such as a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot monitor, hill-descent control, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror (IRVM) and collapsible grab handles. The new Punch has achieved a 5-star rating in the BNCAP crash safety tests.
2. Longer feature list
Compared to its predecessor, the new Punch offers more convenience and feel-good features. It comes with a new TFT digital instrument cluster, two more tweeters (total 4) for the audio system, paddle shifters (AMT), connected-car tech, ambient lighting, faster 65W Type-C charging and an air purifier. Features such as a large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (lower trims of the previous model had a 7-inch display) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as cruise control, are available from the lower-mid Pure trim.
3. More powertrain options
The new Punch retains its predecessor’s 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 88hp and 115Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. An iCNG option, which pairs a CNG kit to the naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 73.4hp and 103Nm of torque in CNG mode, is also retained. However, it now gets an AMT gearbox option with the petrol-CNG engine, which its predecessor lacked.
Furthermore, Tata has addressed a crucial gripe concerning the Punch. As the naturally aspirated petrol engine lacked grunt, the new Punch offers the option of a turbo-petrol engine, which makes 120hp and 170Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
4. Seat comfort
The previous Punch, with its flat floor, could comfortably accommodate two 6-footers seated one behind the other, with generous knee room, shoulder room and an armrest. The new Punch takes it one step further with extended thigh support for both the front and rear seats, thus enhancing overall comfort.
While the new Punch has seen fair improvement over its predecessor in certain aspects, there are a few changes that have not been as welcome. For example, the new touch-based HVAC controls on higher-end trims are fiddly to use and do not respond to inputs as well as physical buttons, and the interior could do with better plastics. The new Punch, priced from Rs 5.59 lakh to Rs 10.54 lakh (ex-showroom), rivals the Maruti Ignis, Hyundai Exter and Citroen C3.