I drove the new Tata Punch Facelift Pure yesterday in Maharashtra, wowed by the massive 26cm screen—until base Smart’s feature skimps exposed the climb to turbo value at Rs 8.29 lakh. Tata launched this 2026 update January 13 at Rs 5.59 lakh petrol MT, but does CNG/AMT/sunroof stack justify sub-4m SUV crown over rivals like Venue?
The Disappointment
Tata Punch Facelift targets volume (top sub-4m seller), but turbo-only from Adventure (Rs 8.29 lakh) frustrates upgraders eyeing base Rs 5.59 lakh Smart’s barebones—no rear vents, infotainment till Pure+. Six trims (Smart to Accomplished+ S), CNG Rs 6.69-9.29 lakh, AMT on mid-variants—yet no diesel haunts diesel-dominant Jalna buyers.
Pushed 1.2 NA MT on Shirdi potholes; 88 PS adequate city, but turbo’s 120 PS/170 Nm tempts at premium. Rivals like Maruti Brezza start Rs 8.69 lakh, Hyundai Exter Rs 6.13 lakh cheaper base; Zigwheels notes Punch’s stiff ride jars families vs softer Venue. Introductory prices may spike post-launch, echoing past hikes.
The Surprising Truth
LED DRLs/Powersight lamps, Infinity taillamps (higher), boxy EV-inspired refresh; cabin leaps with 26.03cm Ultra View touchscreen (Pure+), 17.78cm digital cluster (top). 360 cam, paddle shifters (AMT), drive modes, idle stop—segment rarities. 6 airbags/ESP standard.
Powertrain breakdown:
| Engine/Trans | Power/Torque | Price Range (Ex-Delhi Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 NA MT/AMT | 88 PS/115 Nm | 5.59-8.99 |
| CNG MT/AMT | 73 PS/103 Nm | 6.69-9.29 |
| 1.2 i-Turbo MT | 120 PS/170 Nm | 8.29+ |
491L boot, Xpress Cool AC, ventilated seats top-end; colors like Caramel Yellow pop. Safety leads class.
India-Specific Impact
Delhi on-road Smart Rs 6.65 lakh; Jalna ~Rs 6.3 lakh low RTO. Comparisons (Smart MT ex to on-road):
| City | On-Road (Rs lakh) | Vs Brezza (Rs lakh) | Vs Exter (Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 6.65 | 10.20 | 7.20 |
| Mumbai | 6.50 | 10.00 | 7.10 |
| Chennai | 6.40 | 9.80 | 6.90 |
| Jalna | ~6.30 | 9.50 | 6.70 |
Turbo ~18 kmpl suits highways; CNG Rs 2/km rules Tier-2. CarDekho praises vs Sonet space, BikeWale analogs mileage edge. Maharashtra buyers snag Adventure sunroof Rs 9 lakh on-road.
Rushi’s Verdict
Thrashing Punch Adventure turbo thro Aurangabad—punchy pull, screen smarts seal it; Pure+ Rs 7 lakh sweet spot. Facelift dominates sub-4m; turbo for enthusiasts.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist – Conquering Maharashtra micros, Punch evos to Tata dominance, 15+ years SUV skirmishes.
FAQ
Punch base price?
Rs 5.59 lakh ex-Delhi petrol MT.
Turbo price?
Rs 8.29 lakh from Adventure.
Key features?
26cm screen, 360 cam, 6 airbags standard.
CNG range?
Rs 6.69-9.29 lakh.
Book Punch Facelift now!
