Tata Punch facelift review, first drive: Sharper, smarter and more versatile

Tata seems to have priced the Punch facelift quite sensibly.

• Tata Punch facelift gets sharper design, more features and a new engine option.
• Turbo-petrol variant offers better performance; CNG-AMT combo is segment-first.
• Five-star Bharat NCAP rating boosts safety appeal for family buyers

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The Punch has been one of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles' biggest success stories in recent years. While the Nexon helped improve the company's brand image, it was the Punch that really drove volumes and pulled in new buyers. It even became India's highest-selling car in calendar year (CY) 2024, something no non-Maruti Suzuki model had managed in 40 years.

When the Punch launched in CY21, it worked mainly because it was well-packaged, upright and felt like good value for money. Now, Tata has rolled out the facelift with design updates, more features and new powertrain options. We drove multiple variants of the Punch facelift, and these are our impressions.

Tata Punch facelift review: Design and features

Tata has smartly updated the Punch. It now looks more like the newer Tata SUVs. The older Punch looked a bit rounded and bulky. The facelift feels sharper and more modern, especially because of the LED lighting. The front end gets a new grille and a bull guard-style bumper. It gives the car a tougher look. The LED headlamps and DRLs look cleaner, and the face feels more confident overall. You also get new 16-inch alloy wheels, and they look good on the car. At the rear, there are connected LED taillamps, which have become quite common now. Dual-tone colour options and a blacked-out spoiler add to the appeal. The length of the vehicle has increased by 49mm to 3,876mm, mainly because of new bumpers. Ground clearance has gone up by 6mm as well to 193mm. Overall, the Punch facelift looks sharper and sportier than before. Park it next to the old Punch, and the older one already starts to look dated. The update freshens things up without changing the basic character of the car.

Inside, you can see that Tata has worked on improving fit and finish. Panel gaps feel better. Switches feel nicer. The cabin feels more put-together than before. The dashboard is still mostly hard plastic, which is expected at this price. There are no soft-touch materials, but Tata has used different textures to make it look better. You can tell costs have been controlled, but it does not feel outright cheap.

One major change is the capacitive touch panel to operate AC, hazard lights, hill descent control and 360-degree camera, among others. We have seen this in bigger Tata SUVs. It looks modern, but we are not big fans. For frequently used controls, touch panels are not very convenient. You have to take your eyes off the road more often than you would like.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen is the same size as before but now has slimmer bezels, so it looks sharper. Responsiveness is good, and it feels smooth in normal use. There is also a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster, which is bright, easy to read and shows a lot of information clearly. We liked the new fabric upholstery. It feels nicer and looks a bit more premium. Seat comfort is good at the front and rear. Cushioning feels better than before. The front seats also get extended thigh support, which helps on longer drives. On the safety side, the Punch facelift gets a five-star Bharat NCAP rating. Safety is becoming a bigger factor for buyers, and this will definitely help its case. Overall, the Punch feels more up to date now, especially when compared to newer rivals.

Tata Punch facelift review: Space and practicality

You have to judge the Punch's space knowing that it is a micro-SUV. Within that limitation, it does a decent job. If someone around 5'11" is driving, a 6-foot-tall passenger can sit behind without major complaints. Legroom is fine for the segment. Headroom could feel tight if the rear passenger is taller than 6 feet.

Can three adults sit in the back? Yes, but it will not be comfortable. Realistically, the rear seat works best for two adults and a child. Thigh support at the rear is decent, and the flat rear floor helps, especially for the middle passenger.

The extended thigh support for front seats is a good addition and genuinely helps on longer drives. Rear AC vents and a rear armrest are useful, though it is a bit disappointing that the armrest does not get cup holders. Another miss is the lack of a headrest for the middle rear passenger.

One feature we personally like is the 90-degree opening doors. Not everyone will like it, but it is very useful, especially if there are elderly people at home. Getting in and out becomes much easier for them.

Boot space stands at 366 litres in petrol and turbo-petrol variants. The boot is usable, though the loading lip is quite deep, which can make lifting heavier luggage a bit inconvenient. In real-world terms, you can fit about three mid-sized trolley bags, depending on how you pack. CNG variants get a smaller 210-litre boot because of the twin-cylinder setup. Tata's twin-cylinder CNG layout does free up more usable space than older CNG designs, but buyers choosing CNG will need to manage expectations on luggage space.

Overall, space and practicality remain one of the Punch's stronger points given its size and price.

Tata Punch facelift review: Drive and performance

The Punch facelift now comes with three engine options: petrol, CNG and turbo-petrol.

The regular 1.2-litre petrol engine makes 87.8PS and 115Nm and is offered with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The CNG version produces 73.4PS and 103Nm in CNG mode, also paired with a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT. The Punch is the only SUV in India to offer a CNG-AMT combination. The most interesting addition is the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 120PS and 170Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual. This engine is shared with the Nexon, but in the lighter Punch, it feels more lively.

We first drove the CNG AMT variant. This setup is clearly meant for buyers who want convenience and mileage, not performance. It is easy to drive in city traffic. The AMT keeps things relaxed. But this is not for enthusiastic drivers. Gear shifts are slow, which is typical of AMTs. Acceleration feels adequate, not exciting. In slow-moving traffic, the vehicle feels manageable and not completely underpowered. Getting to around 60kmph is fine, but building speed beyond that takes time.

If your priority is mileage and stress-free driving, this combination works. But if you like driving or want quicker responses, this will feel underwhelming.

Switching to the turbo petrol with the manual gearbox changes the Punch's character quite a bit. It feels quicker and more responsive. Overtaking becomes easier, and there is no real shortage of power in most situations. Once you cross around 2,500rpm, the engine feels more eager, and you can feel a stronger pull. The gearbox is smooth, and you do not always need to downshift even if speed drops slightly. That said, the clutch travel feels on the longer side, which could get tiring in heavy traffic.

While the turbo-petrol variant is more fun to drive, we did miss the option of an automatic gearbox. A turbo-AMT would have made the range appealing to more buyers.

Ride quality felt on the firmer side, especially in the CNG AMT variant at lower speeds. Sharp bumps, potholes and rumble strips are felt more clearly than expected in the city. The upside is that the Punch feels stable when pushed and more planted in corners. Body roll is well controlled. It feels reasonably composed when changing direction at speed. The steering has decent weight, but it could have been a bit sharper. At times, it needs more input than expected. Still, it feels predictable and easy to live with. NVH levels are acceptable, though engine and road noise do creep in at higher speeds, especially in the CNG variant.

Overall, the driving experience depends a lot on the powertrain. The CNG AMT is for relaxed, efficiency-focussed buyers. The turbo manual is better for those who enjoy driving.

Tata Punch facelift review: Price and positioning

The Tata Punch facelift is priced between Rs 5.59 lakh and Rs 10.54 lakh (ex-showroom).

• Petrol MT and AMT: Rs 5.59 lakh to Rs 9.54 lakh
• CNG MT and AMT: Rs 6.69 lakh to Rs 10.54 lakh
• Turbo manual: Rs 8.29 lakh to Rs 9.79 lakh

Tata seems to have priced the Punch quite sensibly. Instead of targeting only micro-SUV buyers, it looks like Tata is going after customers shopping across the wider sub-4m space. With multiple engine options, fuel choices and transmissions, the company is trying to cover a wide range of buyers, from first-timers to those upgrading from smaller hatchbacks.

Tata Punch facelift review: Verdict

The Punch facelift feels like a more versatile version of an already popular car. It looks fresher, gets additional features and offers multiple powertrain options. It still works well as a practical family car. The turbo-petrol version adds an option for buyers who want stronger performance. Safety remains a strong point, with the five-star Bharat NCAP rating adding confidence.

Overall, the Punch facelift feels like a sensible update. It continues to offer good value for money, and Tata has managed to keep it competitive. Whether it can match the success of the earlier Punch remains to be seen, but it definitely is one of the stronger options in its segment.