Tata Motors recently launched the new Tata Punch facelift in the Indian market. This marks the first major facelift for the micro-SUV since its launch and brings a restyled exterior, a refreshed interior, added features, and a new engine option. Interested customers can book the new Punch online or by visiting their nearest Tata Motors dealerships. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. The new Punch continues to compete with the Hyundai Exter, Toyota Taisor, Maruti Fronx, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. In this article, let’s compare the Tata Punch with its direct rival, the Hyundai Exter.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Price, variants The new Punch will be offered in a total of eight variants – Smart, Pure, Pure Plus, Pure Plus S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished, and Accomplished Plus S. Customers can opt for a single pane sunroof on the Pure+ and Adventure variants, priced at an additional Rs 35,000. Pricing for the updated Punch begins at Rs 5.59 lakh, reflecting a marginal Rs 10,000 rise compared to its original 2021 entry price of Rs 5.49 lakh. Even the fully loaded NA petrol variant now costs less than before, while the newly added turbo-petrol option is priced just Rs 40,000 higher and offers additional features.
The Hyundai Exter is offered in EX, EX (O), S Smart, S, S Plus, SX Smart, S Smart, SX, SX Tech, SX Knight edition, SX (O) and SX(O) Connect. Prices range from Rs 5.7 lakh to Rs 9.6 lakh (ex-showroom). The Tata Punch undercuts the Hyundai Exter by Rs 5,000 at the starting price, while its top-end is Rs 94,000 more expensive than the Exter’s highest variant.Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Dimensions Comparing dimensions next, the Punch facelift measures 3876 mm in length, 1742 mm in width, 1615 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2445 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 193 mm, gets 16-inch alloy wheels and has a boot space of 366 litres (210 for CNG).
The Exter is 3815 mm in length, 1710 mm in width, 1631 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2450 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 185 mm, gets 15-inch alloy wheels and has a boot space of 391 litres (210 for CNG). Compared to the Exter, the Punch is 61 mm longer, 32 mm wider, offers 8 mm more ground clearance and larger 16-inch wheels, while the Exter is 16 mm taller, has a 5 mm longer wheelbase, and provides 25 litres more boot space.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Features Features-wise the Punch gets a free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated elements. Below this are touch-based air-conditioning controls, with toggles to adjust fan speed and temperature. Other features include a digital instrument cluster, single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, premium sound system, cruise control, push-button start/stop, and more. On the safety front, the 2026 Tata Punch gets six airbags, ESC, ABS, TPMS, a 360-degree camera, reverse parking sensors, and more.
The Exter gets an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, in-built navigation, connected car tech, voice-activated commands in multiple languages, over-the-air (OTA) updates, a single-pane sunroof, a dashcam with dual cameras, semi digital cluster and more. Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter: Powertrain Talking about the engine options next, the new Tata Punch continues to be powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 88 PS and 115 Nm of torque. In CNG guise, the same engine delivers 73 PS and 103 Nm of torque and is offered only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol version is available with both manual and AMT gearbox options. Additionally, the 2026 Punch will also be offered with a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual.
The Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, NA petrol engine with 83hp of power and 114Nm of torque. In the CNG spec, this engine makes 69hp and 95.2 Nm of torque and is only available with the 5-speed manual gearbox.
