2026 Tata Punch Facelift Review: Ready To Deliver A Knockout Blow

The Punch has been a blockbuster success for Tata Motors with over 6 lakh units sold in its first iteration. SUV styling, a healthy deck of features, and a host of suite of powertrain options - that formula worked well for the car catapulting it to the number one seller in the country. With the facelift, Tata Motors is amplifying that concoction, adding more features, more convenience with the AMT in the CNG version, and the option of a new turbo petrol. On paper, this formula ticks all the right boxes. Does it deliver on the road? Let’s tell you more.

Design: Mature, Stylish, & Very GenZ

The Punch looks more mature, like a youngster entering adolescence. The LED DRLs are now complemented by new LED headlamps and fog lights, and the bumper gets additional elements for more character. The new piano black finished three-dimensional grille is like a bowtie on a tuxedo. The profile remains unchanged save for the new and stylish alloy wheels, while the rear gets a roof-mounted spoiler, a revised bumper, and new connected lights… The SUV stance remains commanding and the overall length is now up by 49 mm owing to the changes.

Interior Upgrades: Subtle But Remarkable

The interiors do not get a wealth of upgrades but the ones that you do see here make a big difference. First up, there’s a new two-spoke steering wheel with the illuminated Tata logo that we’ve seen on other Tata cars as well. The 10.25-inch screen, in terms of size, is the same, but this is an all-new unit. Much crisper, much sharper, and overall much nicer to use. There’s a new digital console that relays more information than before, and is more seamlessly packaged. The touch panel has been carried over from other Tata cars, and while I’m not a big fan of it, it offers access to a lot of features including 360-degree camera, CNG mode, and climate control. 

The dashboard is by and large the same, but you do get this new texture, and the white colour denotes the mountains, which goes with the whole SUV vibe of the Punch. And finally, the upholstery is all-new. I really like this. It adds a refreshed look to the cabin. And adding that extra layer of comfort is the extended thigh support, which you get on the upper variants. This adds to the overall comfortable experience, especially for a tall person like me. The seats hug you nicely and the extended thigh support elevates the comfort experience.

Features Galore

The feature stack now includes a 360-degree camera, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, a 65-watt Type-C charging port, and voice command functions. There’s a new blindspot monitor too, but the camera placement feels too low for a clearer view of the road. Other features include the single-pane electric sunroof, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, iRA connected tech, and more. I do think adding ventilated front seats would've simply elevated the Punch, especially at this price point, which is something I hope to see in the next update. 

Rear Seat Comfort

The wheelbase hasn’t changed on the Punch facelift, which means the space is still the same. You do not get a lot of space, so this is a compact place for a tall passenger like me. But three average-sized adults will fit in easily. You get a centre armrest, so things are slightly more comfortable like that. You get three-point seatbelts for all passengers and adjustable headrests as well, but you do not get one for the centre passenger, which is a bummer. If you talk about the overall legroom, it is a squeeze for tall people but the headroom is just right, which I quite like. In addition to that, you have rear AC vents, and a Type-C charging port, which should make things a lot easier. The nearly flat floor also makes things a lot more comfortable, and the 90-degree opening door makes the ingress and egress a lot seamless.

CNG+AMT Convenience: Slow But Effective  

What worked with the Punch CNG in the first version is the fact it was available in the top variant with all the bells and whistles, and the twin-cylinder technology liberating more boot capacity in the car. With this iteration, the facelift adds a little more in everything. The features are a bit more, the boot capacity is very much there, and you now get an AMT - Automated Manual Transmission - as well, bringing more convenience to buyers.

We saw the CNG+AMT combination on the Tiago and it was only a matter of time before the Punch got it as the more popular car. And to be fair, this is a proper city car. The combination works. I liked driving it on the Tiago, and it is a natural extension on the Punch CNG as well. The thing that works for me is the sheer convenience it brings for in-city driving, and comfort without missing out on the efficiency that the CNG provides. 

In terms of driving experience, the two things that stand out, a. The acceleration has lag. That's a CNG trait you can’t escape. And the AMT amplifies that. Acceleration is slow, and it also makes less power at 72.3 bhp. That is a trade off you make over the regular petrol and now the turbo petrol versions. But you also have the convenience of not having to change gears in traffic. You also get paddle shifters, so there is a sense of control you can get. But it does not make a world of a difference in terms of the driving experience. The gear shifts itself are laggy, especially when you want to move fast or during overtakes. You will have to plan quite a bit. The motor gets audible at higher speeds, and not in a good way, but this package is more about pocket-friendly convenience rather than outright performance. 

Turbo Performance: Eager Bunny 

While the CNG+AMT combination may seem tame, the new turbo petrol promises to be the opposite - A lot more fun. This is a brand-new engine for the Punch, a 1.2-litre three-cylinder, turbo petrol. It’s from the Nexon and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Outside of the turbo badge on the tailgate and the temperature gauge instead of the CNG range, there is nothing different about the car. It is almost identical - the top features remain the same. What changes here is the engine that now makes 118 bhp, 170 Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Mind you, this is an 1100 kg SUV and the power-to-weight ratio is just incredible. Acceleration is fantastic, and it has the energy of an eager bunny wanting to push itself no matter where you are. Off a red light, on a highway, this will go fast and I really like that about the car. That said, the let down comes from the gearbox calibration, which has long throws. 

For those wanting to drive enthusiastically, the gearbox feels it could've offered more taut shifts. The clutch travel is long for what is essentially a small car. The bite point is much higher and makes things jerky, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic. It's also a noisy engine at higher revs. While I like the idea of a powerful micro SUV, this could've been packaged better.

Ride, Handling and Braking

What the Punch loses out on in terms of refinement, it effortlessly makes up for with the ride quality. The SUV simply glides through pothole-ridden roads. The suspension is one of the best in small cars, and you can confidently drive some of the nasty stretches without batting an eye. The steering weighs up nicely at high speeds, but remains neutral for the most part. It’s not as sharp as I would like it to be, but is light enough to maneuver easily in the city, while still keeping it feedback rich. There is a little bodyroll around corners given the tall stance of the SUV, but nothing too unsettling. Braking is decent but the bite at the pedal could be sharper.

5-Star Safety: On All Variants 

The Punch facelift is a five-star rated offering tested by the Bharat NCAP. The SUV comes with six airbags, ABS, ESP, three-point seatbelts, and a tyre pressuring monitoring system as standard. It uses high strength steel in its construction, making it one of the safest cars in the mass-market space. You also get hill hold and hill descent control, as well as SOS emergency call function, as part of the safety kit.

And don’t go by its size, the Punch is formidable in conquering off-road trails too, as we found out at a special off-road circuit. The ground clearance is a decent 193 mm, while the water wading depth stands at 400 mm. The approach, ramp-over, and departure angle, courtesy of the short overhangs, can handle more than just a few nasty speed breakers.

Verdict: Wider Appeal

There is a naturally aspirated engine, a CNG, CNG+AMT, turbo petrol, and, of course, the EV as well. So more powertrain options that will now widen its appeal to more customers across the board. The older customer will like the CNG and AMT, while the younger customer will like the turbo in particular. 

Overall, the 2026 Tata Punch looks fresh, gets a feature-packed cabin and the choice of a variety of engines, widening its appeal. It is better equipped to take on the Hyundai Exter and Maruti Suzuki Ignis, as well as the the Citroen C3 in the segment. The pricing also makes it one of the most accessible turbo petrol cars on sale, and is encroaching the territory occupied by lower variants of subcompact SUVs. There are caveats, of course. The mechanicals have a clunky feel, quality remains inconsistent, and the electronics can be a hit or miss. But there’s now enough arsenal to fight for the top spot. And the fight is only set to get fierce.