2026 TATA PUNCH

IS THE PUNCH STILL A GREAT VALUE CHOICE?

- TUHIN GUHA

The Tata Punch has been a massive hit for the homegrown brand. It truly made the micro-SUV segment a viable space for carmakers to enter and has consistently sold well, becoming the largest selling car in India in 2024. But change seems to be the only constant in the Indian automotive industry, so four years into its life cycle, the time seems to be ripe for an update to the Punch to keep it competitive. We spent time with the new turbo-petrol and CNG AMT versions to see what's changed.

Styling. Boot space.

Like most facelifts, there are no sheet metal changes to the Punch. But the new face now brings it in line with the modern Tata family face. It has become 49mm longer as a result, largely due to the tougher new bumpers.

You now get full LED lighting which is a good upgrade over the older car's halogen setup. In profile, things remain largely similar but ground clearance has increased by 6mm to a good 193mm. The 16-inch alloys get a smart look too. But we did notice some misaligned panels around the B-pillar. (remind to send clip for this)

At the rear, you now have a full-width light setup that looks much more substantial along with the new bumpers. The new colours are quite bright and add to the fresh look.

The boot space remains unchanged. So you get a good 366 litres with the petrol. Yes, the lip is a touch high and the boot floor a bit low, so lifting heavy bags is a bit of effort, but there is enough space here for at least a couple of strollers and smaller bags. Enough for you to road trip with your family.

In some ways, it's easier to access the 210l boot in the CNG version, given the flat lip. With the twin-cylinder technology that you have also seen in the Nexon and Altroz, there's still enough space for a large suitcase here. You also do not have to forgo a spare wheel.