Tata Motors has pulled the covers off the facelifted Punch, revealing both the exterior and interior ahead of its launch on January 13. And yes, the updates go well beyond a fresh coat of paint.
The Punch has always leaned more towards rugged charm than outright glamour. This facelift nudges it closer to the latter, while keeping its upright, city-friendly proportions intact.
Sharper and more EV-inspired
Up front, the changes are immediately noticeable. The grille is slimmer, the DRLs get a new signature and the headlamps are now vertically stacked, very much in the style of the Punch EV. The bumper has been redesigned with a larger lower air intake, chunkier cladding and a faux silver skid plate that reinforces its mini-SUV positioning.
Along the sides, things stay largely familiar. The main update here is a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels, which add a bit more visual flair without altering the overall silhouette.
At the rear, the facelift brings a connected LED tail-lamp strip housed in a black casing, similar to what we’ve seen on the Altroz. The bumper is also revised, with new reflectors and updated cladding to round things off.
A noticeable step up
Inside, the changes feel more substantial. The cabin now gets a dual-tone light blue and charcoal theme, paired with a redesigned dashboard featuring a white insert borrowed from the Punch EV. It lifts the ambience and makes the cabin feel more contemporary.
There’s also a new touch-based climate control panel shared with newer Tata models like the Nexon, along with a fresh two-spoke steering wheel featuring an illuminated Tata logo.
Punching higher
The facelifted Punch will be offered with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster, both shared with the Altroz. Expected features include an eight-speaker sound system, height-adjustable driver seat, wireless charging, USB-C fast charging ports and a voice-enabled electric sunroof.
On the safety front, Tata is clearly raising the bar. The Punch facelift will get six airbags, a 360-degree camera, three-point seatbelts for all occupants, reverse parking sensors and hill descent control. Electronic stability control and hill-hold assist are also expected to be part of the package.
Powertrain: Turbo finally joins the party
Under the bonnet, the Punch will continue with the familiar 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, along with its CNG variant. The big news is the addition of a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, expected to produce around 120 bhp and 170 Nm. Transmission options are likely to include manual and automatic gearboxes, depending on the engine.
Launch, price and rivals
The Tata Punch facelift will be launched on January 13, with prices expected to range between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh ex-showroom. Once launched, it will take on rivals such as the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, Nissan Magnite, Hyundai Exter, Citroen C3 and Renault Kiger.
With stronger styling, a more upmarket cabin and the promise of turbocharged performance, the Punch facelift looks set to broaden its appeal beyond first-time buyers.
