I drove the 2026 Tata Punch Facelift i-Turbo yesterday in Maharashtra, wheelspinning in 3rd gear like a hoot—until NVH vibes and notchy 6MT crashed the party on Jalna backroads. Tata’s volume king (India’s 2024 top-seller) gets 120 PS turbo at Rs 8.29 lakh, but crude dynamics and AMT woes mar the sub-4m refresh launched Rs 5.59 lakh base.
The Disappointment
Punch Facelift’s Rs 5.59 lakh Smart skimps—no rear vents, screen till Pure+ (Rs 6.8 lakh), turbo gated behind Adventure (Rs 8.29 lakh). Six trims lack ventilated seats, i-Turbo auto; CNG AMT jarring in traffic, no cruise. Pune drive echoed: vibey mounts transmit crude power, rear drums mismatch turbo pep, no ADAS/radar yet.
Notchy 1-2 shifts, unusual clutch bite frustrate; CNG dull, AMT slow/jerky—redundant paddles. Brezza/Sonnet smoother; Zigwheels notes stiff ride jars families vs cushy Exter. Cost-cuts like seatbelt beep sans sensors annoy.
The Surprising Truth
Eyebrow LED DRLs/connected taillamps stand out, clamshell bonnet/power bulges toughen; 360 cam/10.2-inch screen (Pure+) intuitive w/ wireless AA/CP. New 2-spoke wheel, 7-inch TFT cluster, touch-toggle AC impress; 366L boot (210L CNG), umbrella pockets practical.
Powertrains:
| Engine | PS/Nm | Gearbox | Price Start (Ex Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 NA | 88/115 | 5MT/AMT | 5.59 |
| i-CNG | 73/103 | MT/AMT | 6.69 |
| 1.2 i-Turbo | 120/170 | 6MT | 8.29 |
Thigh support, fast USB-C, auto IRVM shine; 5-star safety, off-road prowess astound. Turbo hoots sans auto—future DCA?
India-Specific Impact
Delhi Smart on-road Rs 6.65 lakh; Jalna Rs 6.3 lakh. Turbo Adventure ~Rs 9.7 lakh Jalna.
| City | Base On-Road (Rs lakh) | Turbo On-Road (Rs lakh) | Vs Brezza LDi (Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 6.65 | 10.50 | 9.50 |
| Mumbai | 6.50 | 10.30 | 9.30 |
| Chennai | 6.40 | 10.20 | 9.20 |
| Jalna | 6.30 | 9.70 | 8.80 |
Turbo ~18 kmpl highways; CNG Rs 2/km Tier-2. CarDekho lauds vs Venue dynamics, Zigwheels value. Maharashtra potholes favor Punch balance.
Rushi’s Verdict
Pune-mimic Jalna thrash: i-Turbo joyride, unbeatable off-road/city confidence. Pure+ daily, Adventure turbo fun; NVH fix needed. Top sub-4m pick.
Rushi, Jalna-based auto journalist – Hooting Maharashtra Punches, facelifts to Tata volumes, 15+ years subcompacts.
FAQ
Punch i-Turbo power?
120 PS/170 Nm, 6MT only.
Base price?
Rs 5.59 lakh ex Smart.
Key updates?
10.2-inch screen, connected taillamps, 360 cam.
Safety?
5-star, 6 airbags standard.
Test Punch Facelift turbo!
