Tata Punch

Tata Punch Expert Verdict

Tata Punch Detailed Review

• Punch Performance

  Tata has equipped the Punch with the 1.2-Lt naturally aspirated petrol engine sourced from the Tiago. This engine produces a peak power of 84 hp and it has a peak torque of 113Nm @ 3300 rpm. There is a slight pause while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The gearbox also responds differently to the throttle inputs. The kick-down acceleration from 0-60kph is within 8.39 seconds. From 0-100kph, it takes 19.98 seconds. The shift logic is much better than the previous Tata models. The gearbox tends to fumble on very long inclined roads i.e gears change up and down frequently. The gearbox is also responsive to manual shifts and grants the user a quick downshift when required. The high-speed stability is good and it feels as short-footed as a larger or heavier car would. The overall performance of Punch is satisfactory considering its size and weight. Additionally, the light clutch and short gear shift action is a boon for city commuters as well. 

  

  Summary

  The overall performance of the vehicle is decent. There are slight issues while shifting gears but it is manageable and the high-speed stability serves as a boon.

• Punch Exterior

  The Punch is Tata's take over the newly formed car segment i.e. the micro-SUV. Tata Punch offers a butch SUV styling at the price of a hatchback. The overall looks and the fit & finish on the Punch look amazing. The styling of the Punch has become one of its USPs among the new car buyers as well. The Punch is a stylish little car with plenty of road presence. It has got the high-set bonnet, the upright pillars, the accentuated arches, and the cladding that you would associate with an SUV. The Punch is the smallest of Tata’s SUV tribe and there is a clear link to the larger safari upfront with the split headlamp setup. That’s LED DRLs on top and the main headlights position lower down. The top versions get like this creative one gets projector lights and the cool detail is the functional vent alongside the main lights. The LED DRL’s on top and the grill are underlined by chrome. The grill is closed with a tri-arrow opening for the horn behind. The air inlet is lower down on the bumper and that itself comes embellished with more tri-arrow details. The Punch looks purposeful from the exterior attributes. The cladding on the door makes it look better. The large wheels help fill out the arches better. There’s also a contrast roof and mirrors for effect. The handles are positioned behind the windows. The doors open at 90° which eases access to the cabin. On the rear side, the styling is attractive. The tailgate has its prominent cuts and also the tail lights with the tri-arrow LEDs stand out. There is cladding on the rear bumper as well. As a whole, the Punch is eye-candy and can draw attention from among the masses. 

   

  

  Summary

  The overall exterior definitely makes the vehicle stand out amongst the crowd. The spacious doors, headlights and tires play a significant role in it's look.

• Punch Interior

  The interior quality of Tata Punch is amazing. The overall space management has been done nicely by Tata and the Punch offers a decent list of features for the new buyers. Getting into the Tata Punch is very easy and convenient due to the doors opening at 90°. The dashboard sports a layered look and what’s nice is the plastics they have used inside the cabin. There are textured plastics on the dashed top, around the center console there is Tata’s tri-arrow pattern, and there are textured plastics on the lower side. The level of quality is really good and the build quality is also commendable. The Punch’s AC vent looks good and the center console looks neat as well. The common elements from the previous models include a 7-inch screen, the steering wheel, and digital instruments. The touch-screen works well for a car of this class. It packs in Apple Car-play and Android Auto.

  There are even games to keep the user occupied during traffic jams. The sound quality is remarkable from the four speakers and two tweeter setups. The rearview camera with guidelines also comes in handy. Topic versions also get the option of Tata’s iRA-connected features which allows you to keep an eye on your car remotely. The part digital instruments are included too such as the 7-inch screen which is informative and also includes turn-by-turn navigation. It also gives the position of the front tires if necessary. In terms of practicality, the Punch goes well with a large and cool glove box that also has an easter egg in the rhino motif. It can be seen on the rear windscreen too. All 4 doors get usable pockets with bottle holders and there is plenty of space at the base of the dashboard as well. Due to the very accommodating footwell, the seating position is comfortable and lets the user spread out and sit. The seats are quite large. There is convenient room space for rear-seat passengers. It is well suited to two passengers. There is an adjustable headrest as well. In terms of luggage space, the Punch is quite accommodating. The loading lip is a touch high but the boot capacity is 319 liters. The single-piece rear seat can be folded as well to create more space. 

  

  Summary

  The interior has a fine finish to it and the features that the Tata Punch offers is remarkable. The room space for rear-seat passengers is a huge advantage as well.

• Punch Ride & Handling

  The ride quality of Tata Punch is amazing as the rest of the Tata cars. The low-speed ride easily isolates the passengers from the undulations. Tata Punch also remains stable and silent even at triple-digit highway speeds. The braking power is good and it also stays quite stable under hard braking. The ride quality is really good on city roads and rough terrains. The Punch has a robust suspension which means it can easily handle bad or even non-existent roads. It softens the blow of potholes and there's also confidence in knowing that there is ample ground clearance at one’s disposal. Tata even set up a mild off-road course to drive home the point.

  

  Summary

  The ride quality is good and it stays stable during hard braking. Has the ability to be driven on bad roads.

• Punch Safety

  Tata is known for making one of the safest cars in the segment. The Punch is a testimony to this fact as the build quality of it is very sturdy and solid. The Punch gets ABS with EBD corner brake control and what Tata calls brake sway control to ensure that the car doesn’t wear out under hard braking. It also includes dual airbags and iso-fix child seat mounts. The Tata Punch has been tested by Global NCAP. The Punch received a 5-star rating for protection of adult occupants and 4 stars for protection of child occupants. Wiper and defogger are added to the rear side. There is a camera attached to the rear side of the vehicle which will help while the vehicle is reversing.

  

  Summary

  The ABS plays a huge role in the safety of the vehicle and it has also been given a 5-star rating by Global NCAP.