Tata Punch

Positives:

• The 1.2-litre 87bhp/115Nm petrol engine is available with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT gearbox.
• This engine offers strong mid-range pulling power (above 3,000rpm) and is surprisingly eager at higher speeds; best to leave it in City mode.
• In CNG mode, it makes 72bhp/103Nm, is only offered with a manual gearbox, and gets twin CNG cylinders below the boot’s luggage area.
• Can be started directly in CNG mode; in an emergency, the iCNG tech automatically cuts off the CNG supply to the engine.
• The manual transmission shifts smoothly through the gear lever and the clutch pedal is delightfully light.
• The AMT gearbox is certainly a convenient option despite the un-dramatic driving experience.
• Gets 187mm of ground clearance and the suspension absorbs big bumps and sharp-edged pot-holes at slow speeds with hardly any noise.
• The steering has a nice weight to it and the overall tyre grip is more than adequate for the amount of power it delivers.
• To get the best out of the AMT transmission, leave it in D-mode and let it go about its job.

Negatives:

• It lacks pulling power below 3,000rpm, which is not ideal in city traffic, especially when fully loaded, considering its 1,000kg kerb weight.
• The clutch pedal does not offer much feedback to the driver and hence is difficult to modulate.
• The occupants will experience some vertical motion at highway speeds due to the soft suspension.
• The steering feedback is not progressive as it leaves one second-guessing while manoeuvring.
• With very little performance below 3,000rpm, the AMT needs to be in the City mode for any possible useable performance in the city.
• Overtaking in the AMT version needs planning as the gearbox is not quick to deliver the expected performance.
• It is one of the slowest cars we have tested and the lengthy times are due to the lack of initial grunt.

Tata Punch Key Specification:

Positives:

• It is available with a voice-assisted electric sunroof, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, and front fog lights with cornering function.

• The 90-degree opening doors and the height make ingress and egress convenient for all passengers.

• It gets automatic climate control, auto-fold ORVMs, push start/stop button, and a fast charging Type-A USB port.

• All controls to the car’s functions are easily accessible and the switches and buttons feel robust; something missing in cars from this segment.
• There is a height-adjustable driver seat, tilt steering, auto headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers.

• The visibility is excellent so one can easily steer the Punch even through heavy traffic.

• It is offered with a six-speaker seven-inch Harman infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a seven-inch digital instrument cluster.

• Despite its compact size, the Punch has surprising levels of space, comfort, thigh support, and leg and headroom at the rear.

• The Punch also gets iRA, Tata Motor’s connected car tech, with access to WhatsApp and SMS readout.

Negatives:

• The central locking feature works only via the driver’s side door handle; it needs a dedicated switch on the dash or door.
• The rear shoulder room is restrictive for more than two passengers and storage spaces too are minimal.
• There are no rear AC vents and the rear armrest does not have integrated cup holders.

Positives:

• The Tata Punch received a five-star safety rating for the crash tests done by GNCAP.
• It gets dual airbags as standard, ESP, reverse parking camera, ISOFIX, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Negatives:

• The Punch needs to get six airbags as standard to make it a more enticing package.

Positives:

• It has an unmistakable SUV stance, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, and bold LED taillamps.

• Has a leather steering and gear knob, body-coloured air vents, flat-bottom or D-cut steering, and a dual-tone dashboard for a more premium touch.

• The 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, side cladding, roof-rails, and shark fin antenna add to the attractive design.

• Although built to a price, it’s smartly designed with a modern dash, floating touchscreen, and decent plastics.

• Gets Atomic Orange, Orcus White, Daytona Grey, Tropical Mist, and Meteor Bronze colour options with a black roof, and Tornado Blue and Calypso Red with a white roof.
• The air vents feel solid (well-engineered) and the seats are nicely upholstered; overall gives excellent value for money.

Negatives:

• The rear door handle can be placed on the door to be more accessible; is currently on the C-pillar.
• The instrument cluster’s overall design looks uninteresting and has to be more attractive.