Everyone’s buzzing about the Punch EV’s bigger 40 kWh battery and 468 km range, but after driving it myself, one spec gap hit me harder than expected. What if the hype doesn’t match the real-world punch on India’s chaotic roads?
The Disappointment
I saw the facelift up close at a Tata dealer in Aurangabad, and the exterior tweaks felt underwhelming—no more central LED strip connecting the DRLs, just a cleaner bumper and textured skid plate. Sides and rear mirror the old Punch ICE too closely, with those blacked-out ORVMs and 16-inch aero wheels screaming “budget refresh” rather than bold evolution. Inside, the dual-tone black-white cabin and toggle power switches are nice, but the single-pane sunroof and leatherette seats didn’t wow me like pricier rivals. Per Zigwheels and BikeWale, early testers gripe about the 30 kWh base model’s pokey 13.5-second 0-100 kmph sprint—fine for city hops, but it lags in highway merges against the Citroen eC3.
The Surprising Truth
Then I drove it, and damn, the 40 kWh pack with 129 PS power flipped the script—9 seconds to 100 kmph felt peppy, torque at 154 Nm pulled strong from low speeds. The 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto is slick, ventilated seats cooled me during a scorching Jalna test loop, and the 360-camera nailed tight U-turns. Ground clearance at 195 mm and 450 mm wading depth handled potholes like a champ. CarDekho specs confirm the Empowered 40 variant’s cruise control and paddle shifters make it a steal for daily commutes, outpacing the pre-facelift’s 365 km range.
India-Specific Impact
In Maharashtra, ex-showroom prices kick off at Rs 9.69 lakh for Smart 30, climbing to Rs 12.59 lakh for Empowered Plus S 40 (pan-India, per CarDekho). Add 10-12% RTO in Pune or Mumbai, and you’re looking at Rs 10.7-14 lakh on-road—BaaS option drops entry to Rs 6.49 lakh if you rent the battery. Claimed MIDC range hits 468 km on 40 kWh, but I got 380-400 km real-world in mixed traffic, sipping power efficiently. It thrives on Indian roads: 3880 mm length slips through Delhi congestion, 2445 mm wheelbase stabilizes bumpy highways to Ladakh, and six airbags plus ESC standard across variants beat rivals like Mahindra XUV 3XO EV in safety-value.
Rushi’s Verdict
Buy the Adventure 40 or higher if you’re in for city EV life—range, features, and price crush the eC3. Wait on base 30 kWh if highways are your jam. This facelift delivers where it counts.
FAQ
What is the price of 2026 Tata Punch EV facelift?
Starts at Rs 9.69 lakh ex-showroom for Smart 30, up to Rs 12.59 lakh for Empowered Plus S 40.
What is the range of new Tata Punch EV?
Up to 468 km (40 kWh, MIDC); real-world around 380-400 km.
Does Tata Punch EV have ventilated seats?
Yes, available on higher variants like Empowered for summer comfort.
