Tata Punch

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 front 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.