Tata Motors just pulled the wraps off the refreshed Punch, and it’s priced from Rs. 5.59 lakh. That’s ex-showroom Delhi. The real headline? A turbo petrol option that wasn’t there before.
The new 1.2-litre iTurbo engine makes 120 PS and 170 Nm. It’s the same unit from the Nexon, tuned slightly different. Comes only with a six-speed manual for now. No automatic yet. This sits at the top of the range and starts at Rs. 8.29 lakh for the Adventure Turbo variant. It’s meant for people who want more punch from their Punch.
But the turbo isn’t the only update. The CNG version now gets an AMT gearbox with paddle shifters. First time you’ll see that in this segment. Tata’s twin-cylinder CNG setup means you still get 210 litres of boot space, which is decent considering the tanks are tucked away better than single-cylinder systems.
Safety’s been bumped up across the board. Six airbags are now standard on every variant. ESP too. The Punch already has a five-star Bharat NCAP rating, so Tata’s leaning into that hard. Makes sense when 70 percent of Punch buyers are first-time car owners. People want reassurance.
What You Get in Each Variant
The lineup runs six variants deep. Even the base Smart trim isn’t bare bones. LED headlamps, remote keyless entry, two drive modes, and a redesigned steering wheel borrowed from the Nexon. You’re not getting crank windows and hubcaps here.
Move up to Pure or Pure+ and you add rear AC vents, an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, and a reversing camera. The Adventure trim is where it gets interesting. That’s when you get the 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, auto climate control, and rain-sensing wipers.
Top-spec Accomplished and Accomplished+ variants bring 16-inch alloys, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a seven-inch digital cluster, wireless charging, and a voice-assisted sunroof. Tata’s iRA connected car tech shows up here too.
Outside, the facelift gets reworked headlamps and tail lamps, tweaked bumpers, a new grille, and a full-width LED light bar at the back. The dual-tone alloys finish the look. Six colors available: Cyantafic, Caramel, Bengal Rouge, Daytona Grey, Coorg Clouds, and Pristine White.
Complete Pricing Breakdown
| Variant | Fuel Type | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
|---|---|---|
| Smart | Petrol MT | Rs. 5.59 lakh |
| Pure | Petrol MT | Rs. 6.49 lakh |
| Pure+ | Petrol MT | Rs. 6.99 lakh |
| Adventure | Petrol MT | Rs. 7.59 lakh |
| Accomplished | Petrol MT | Rs. 8.29 lakh |
| Accomplished+ S | Petrol MT | Rs. 8.99 lakh |
| Smart | CNG MT | Rs. 6.69 lakh |
| Pure | CNG MT | Rs. 7.49 lakh |
| Pure+ | CNG MT | Rs. 7.99 lakh |
| Adventure | CNG MT | Rs. 8.59 lakh |
| Accomplished | CNG MT | Rs. 9.29 lakh |
| Adventure | Turbo Petrol MT | Rs. 8.29 lakh |
CNG or Turbo? Depends What You’re After
If you’re running high mileage in the city, the CNG with AMT makes sense. Paddle shifters add a bit of control you don’t usually get in CNG boxes. Fuel costs stay low, boot space is usable, and you can skip the clutch in traffic.
The turbo’s for a different buyer. Someone who wants highway overtaking confidence or just likes driving with a bit more urgency. It’s 40 PS more than the standard petrol. That’s not nothing. But you’ll pay extra for it, and fuel economy won’t match the naturally aspirated motor.
Which One Will Sell Most in India?
The Pure+ petrol manual will likely be the volume driver. It’s priced at Rs. 6.99 lakh, sits right in the middle, and packs the features most people actually use. Touchscreen, rear AC, cruise control, reversing camera. That’s the sweet spot for first-time buyers who want something modern but don’t need every bell and whistle.
The CNG variants will do well in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune where fuel prices hurt. But the turbo? It’ll be a niche play. Enthusiasts and people upgrading from hatchbacks might bite, but volume will come from the mid-spec petrols and CNGs.
Is It Worth the Money?
At Rs. 5.59 lakh to start, the Punch undercuts a lot of compact SUVs while offering more space and safety than most hatchbacks. The turbo at Rs. 8.29 lakh is interesting but edges into Nexon territory, which offers more space and similar power.
If you’re a first-time buyer, the Pure+ petrol makes the most sense. If you drive a lot in the city, the CNG with AMT is hard to ignore. The turbo’s for people who specifically want it. Everyone else will be fine with the regular petrol.
The Punch facelift doesn’t reinvent anything. It tightens up what was already working and adds options where people wanted them. Sometimes that’s enough.
Monojit Paul is the founder and editor of techautohub.com. He covers India’s automotive industry, focusing on new launches, cars, bikes, and market trends.
