KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Punch EV scored a perfect 5 stars in the Bharat NCAP safety test
- The long-range battery version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds
- Many features are borrowed from larger Tata cars
Since its launch in January 2024, the Tata Punch EV has been selling as well as a conventional ICE car and has significantly increased the market share of EVs. Additionally, Tata launched another SUV, the Curvv EV, in August (2024), capitalizing on the monumental growth in this market. Apart from its two battery packs with outstanding range, the Punch EV offers a plethora of features that are hard to find even in some sedans and premium compact SUVs with ICE engines.
It starts at Rs 10 lakh and goes up to Rs 14.44 lakh ex-showroom, with a total of 20 variants on offer. Let's check out the top features it provides, and meanwhile, do join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
Also Read: Tata Safari VS Rivals: Which Is The Best 7 Seater Luxury SUV in India?
Tata Punch EV Powertrain And Range
The Tata Punch EV standard battery pack takes 9.4 hours to charge under 3.3 Kw AC charger, while the long-range model takes 13.5 hours to charge its 35 kWh battery using a regular charger. With a 7.2 kW charger, the Punch EV charges in 3.6 hours for the standard model and 5 hours for the long-range model. Using a 50 kW DC fast charger, both battery packs can charge from 10% to 80% in just 56 minutes. Now let's check out the motor specifications.
| Specifications | Tata Punch EV(Standard) | Tata Punch EV(Long Range) |
| Power (Ps) | 80 | 121 |
| Torque (Nm) | 114 | 190 |
| Battery Pack (kWh) | 25 | 35 |
| Range (Km) | 315 | 421 |
| AC Charger | 3.3/7.2 Kw | 3.3 /7.2 Kw |
| DC Fast Charger | 50 Kw | 50 Kw |
10.25 Inch Infotainment Screen
The Tata Punch EV features a massive 10.25-inch screen, a significant upgrade from the 7-inch screen in the Punch ICE. The high-resolution display is easy to use, which is beneficial for elderly users. In terms of integrated features, the screen includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree parking camera, a multi-voice assistant, air purifier information and the Arcade.ev App Suite. Overall, this is a big step from the ICE Punch and it definately enhances your experience.
Variants Available:
This 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment starts from the Empowered variant, a mid trim which starts at Rs 12.64 lakh (ex-showroom).
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - This electric hatchback comes with a 10.23-inch touchscreen infotainment, and it is available from the 2nd of the total 3 variants, called Feel, which costs Rs 12.90 lakh (ex-showroom).
- Tata Tiago EV - Another EV from the same brand, the Tiago, also offers the same screen setup, one of 7 inches and the other of 10.25 inches, and the bigger screen is offered only in the top-spec XZ+ Tech variant, which costs Rs 11.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
- Tata Nexon EV - Although it's a bigger and more expensive car than the Punch EV, several variants match the price tag, and the 10.25-inch screen is available from the second variant, Fearless MR, which is priced at Rs 13.29 lakh (ex-showroom), while the base trim gets a 7-inch infotainment screen.
10.25 Inch Digital Drivers Dispaly
We have all seen this digital driver display in other Tata cars such as the Nexon, Curvv, Harrier, and Safari, and the same screen is also featured in the Punch EV. It shows range, trip meter, car information, and blind spot monitoring view, although blind spot monitoring is not available in the Punch EV. Depending on your drive modes, the digital speedometer design changes, making the overall look more exciting.
Variants Available:
The 10.25-inch digital driver's display is available from the Empowered Plus variant, and before that, it comes with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Moreover, the price of Empowered Plus is Rs 12.84 lakh (ex-showroom).
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - eC3 is equipped with a basic digital cluster that has very limited functionality, but this screen is there in all variants.
- Tata Tiago EV - Being an entry-level electric hatchback, it doesn't come with a high-definition instrument cluster, but instead a basic one, which is available across all 4 variants.
- Tata Nexon EV - From the second variant, Fearless, Tata offers this 10.25-inch digital cockpit, and it continues till the top-end trim. Only the base, Creative+, is equipped with a 7-inch MID.
Drive Modes
The jeweled control knob is basically the gear setup of this car, with parking, neutral, reverse and drive switches. Plus three drive modes are there, eco, city and sports, which are all controlled through this stylish knob. Important thing to note is that, this jeweled controller is used only to shift drive modes in the Tata ICE cars, but here, they have given it the full responsibility.
The three drive modes changes the throttle response which can change the overall range of this vehicle.
Variants Available:
Tata offers the jeweled control knob from the Adventure LR trim, and it costs Rs 12.84 lakh (ex-showroom).
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - This French automobile doesn't have a rotary dial for gear selection, nor any drive modes.
- Tata Tiago EV - Tiago EV doesn't have this jeweled control but an ordinary rotary knob for gear selection.
- Tata Nexon EV - From the Creative 45 variant, multi-drive modes - Eco, City, and Sport - start, and to put it into propulsion, the Nexon EV has a leather-wrapped e-shifter, which is also seen in its ICE counterpart.
Ventilated Seats
The front passengers have the option of ventilated seats, which have become one of the most in-demand features in today's market. Our country experiences some of the harshest summer environments, turning cars into boiling ovens during the day. The AC vents alone cannot cool down the cabin effectively. Here, the ventilated seats act as a savior by cooling the entire seat, which also helps prevent your clothes from getting all wet.
Variants Available:
The ventilated seats feature starts from the Empowered + variant and continues till the last. Moreover, it costs Rs 12.84 lakh (ex-showroom).
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - No front seat ventilation on offer.
- Tata Tiago EV - Even this hatchback doesn't offer front seat ventilation.
- Tata Nexon EV - Tata Nexon EV has this feature, but only in the top-spec Empowered + 45 trim, which costs Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).
All Four Disc Brakes
We all know how much emphasis Tata places on safety, consistently delivering 5-star rated cars, indicating they understand market needs. The Tata Punch EV is another example, receiving a full 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP, the most stringent safety test authority. Additionally, all four wheels of this car are equipped with disc brakes for better braking bites. It also features 6 airbags as standard, hill descent control, hill hold control, an electronic stability program, and ISOFIX seats.
Variants Available:
All four disc brakes start from the Adventure S LR variant, which is priced at Rs 13.14 lakh (ex-showroom), and extend all the way to the top trim.
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - This French electric hatchback has only 2 disc brakes on all trims.
- Tata Tiago EV - Only the front wheels get disc brakes; the rear are equipped with drum brakes.
- Tata Nexon EV - All the long-range variants with the 45 kWh battery pack have 4 disc brakes, while the 30 kWh pack trims are equipped with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.
Integerated LED DRL
The only thing that differentiates the Punch EV from the Punch is the infinite LED DRL at the front, which also functions as indicators. Another difference is the placement of the bi-function LED headlamps, which have a new design compared to the Punch ICE. The headlamps are sharper and smaller, and there is no grille, but the bumper design is also different. From the rear, there is no difference between these SUVs. Additionally, the design of the R16 diamond-cut alloy wheels is striking.
Variants Available:
Sequential turn indicators, along with the welcome and goodbye sequence, start from the Adventure Persona, and this is where the LED light bar also begins.
Competitors With Same Feature:
- Citroen eC3 - No integerated LED bar on this electric car.
- Tata Tiago EV - The Tiago EV also misses out on this cool-looking feature.
- Tata Nexon EV - Only the top-spec Empowered + 45 comes with the welcome and goodbye sequence in the front and rear DRLs, which costs Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).
Other key features in the Tata Punch EV:
- Rain sensing wipers
- Rear wiper with defogger
- cooled glove box
- wireless charging pad
- Frunk (Front compartment under the bonnet)
- digital steering wheel
- auto dimming IRVM
- 4 speakers and 2 tweeters
- Cruise control
- voice assisted sunroof
- USB type C charging port
- Air purifier with - AQI display
- Electronic parking brake with auto hold
- mood lights
- Push start button
- paddle shifters
- Automatic climate control
Features missing in the Tata Punch EV
For its price and size, the Tata Punch EV is loaded with features, some of which are typically found in cars costing near Rs 20 lakh. However, like everything else, the Punch EV has its shortcomings - features that could have elevated its overall experience. These are:
- Rear AC vents - Despite costing above Rs 15 lakh on-road, the Punch EV doesn't have a rear AC vent, which is available in several entry-level ICE cars like the Hyundai i10 NIOS and Maruti Swift, both of which cost less than Rs 10 lakh.
- V2V or V2L - An integral feature of electric vehicles that enhances their utility is missing in this small SUV. While the battery pack is small, these features hold significant value and could completely transform the ownership experience of an EV.
- Ambient Lightning - This E-SUV is equipped with mood lighting, which is different from ambient lights. While it creates a unique experience, it can't match the premium feel of ambient lighting. In the top variant, it should have been included.
Comparison With Rivals
| Cars | Tata Punch EV | Citroen eC3 | Tata Tiago EV | Tata Nexon EV |
| 10.25 inch Infotainment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10.25 Inch MID | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 4 - disc brakes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Ventialted Seats | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Integerated LED DRL | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Frunk | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| V2V and V2L | No | No | No | Yes |
Also Read: Introducing The Hyundai Inster, A Potential Rival To The Tata Punch EV
Verdict
The Tata Punch EV is driving the expansion of EV charging stations in the country, and in July, it was reported that Punch EV sales had crossed the 10,000-unit mark. This success is largely due to the popularity of the ICE version of the Punch, which has consistently held the top position on the sales chart. Another car in its segment, the Citroen eC3, falls behind in terms of features and range and cannot stand up to the Punch EV. So, if you want to switch to an EV, definitely consider this vehicle.
