The new Punch is not only looking bold but also ready for bold challenges both on and off road.
The 2026 Tata Punch arrives with the confidence of a bestseller and ready for its next chapter. Already one of India’s highest-selling subcompact SUVs, the new Punch has been reimagined for young, demanding Indian buyers who want more capability, more comfort and much smarter technology—without giving up the compact footprint that makes it so easy to live with.
Buyers can now opt for the 1.2-litre turbocharged iTurbo Revotron petrol engine, which Tata Motors says delivers a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, or choose the segment-first combination of twin-cylinder iCNG technology paired with an AMT gearbox, designed to offer greater convenience and efficiency. According to the OEM this evolution bigger, bolder, faster and smarter, and a day spent driving the Punch in Pune shows exactly why.
Right from the first look, the Punch appears bolder and more SUV-like. The refreshed design gives it a tougher, more upright look with muscular bumpers, a bolder grille and a sharp new tailgate. LED headlamps, LED fog lamps with a cornering function, connected LED tail lamps and smartly cut dual-tone alloys make the design look modern and purposeful. Familiar elements like the sunroof and roof rails remain, but the overall posture is more enhanced—almost as if the Punch has found its big SUV attitude.
Inside, the cabin carries this sense of growth forward. The interior has been redesigned with a clean white theme, speckled textures and softer materials that make it feel more premium. The seats use new foam and offer better thigh support, making them much more comfortable, especially on long drives. Big doors that open up to 90 degrees make in and out easy, and the spacious cabin benefits from clever packaging that frees up more room for both front and rear passengers. The centre console is redesigned for convenience, with cup holders, a sliding armrest, a wireless charger and handy storage for everyday essentials.
Technology is one of the new Punch’s biggest strengths. It features an UltraView cockpit with a large 26 cm infotainment screen paired with a crisp 17.8 cm digital cluster. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work smoothly, and connected-car tech adds more than 50 features for remote access and assistance. A voice-assisted sunroof, 65W fast charging, ambient lighting and a strong audio system make the cabin feel fresh and modern.
Once you start driving, the Punch’s character becomes even clearer. The iTurbo Revotron petrol engine accelerates quickly, maintains high-speed stability with ease and feels steady on the highway. The steering is precise and well-tuned, the braking is clean and confident, and the gearbox shifts smoothly whether you’re cruising or crawling. Even the CNG AMT version now brings, to some extent, convenience into a segment where CNG usually means compromise. There is a slight lag when it starts moving, and it continues a bit in second and third gear. But once it settles, it cruises smoothly in the top gear and feels pleasant and confident, even at around 130 kmph. Thanks to intelligent twin-cylinder technology, even the CNG Punch offers real boot space with a flat floor.
Adventure Capable
Where the Punch truly surprises is off the road. During the drive, Tata Motors had set up a special track to show what the new Punch, despite being a front-wheel-drive, can really do. It felt like a mini-adventure course, and I got to try the SUV in situations you would normally never expect from a compact car. The track covered everything—traction control, ESP, sharp handling and hard braking. There were axle-twister sections that lifted one wheel in the air, showing how well the chassis stays balanced, and side-inclines that proved the vehicle can hold its line even when things get tricky.
We then moved to rumblers and a log bed, which tested the suspension and ground clearance, followed by a steep climb and descent to check torque delivery, hill hold and hill descent control. One of the most interesting parts was a see-saw ramp that tested how evenly the Punch distributes its weight.
The water-wading section was equally impressive. Driving through nearly 400 mm of standing water, the Punch stayed steady and never felt stressed. There were also rock beds, chicken holes and even a 90-degree drop over steps—each one showing how well the traction control and suspension work together. It was a fun, confidence-building experience, and it showed that the Punch is not just about city comfort—it has true capability built into it
Safety
Safety, according to the OEM, is not an add-on but a foundation. The new Punch keeps its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and builds on it with even stronger structural engineering. High-strength steel, optimised load paths and stiff attachment points give it remarkable crash strength. In a simulated 50 km/h head-on crash into a stationary truck, the passenger cell remained intact, doors opened normally and no leaks were observed—showing just how much thought has gone into real-world protection. Six airbags, three-point seatbelts for every passenger, ISOFIX mounts, reminders for all seats and emergency call functions add layers of reassurance. Features like the blind-view monitor, hill descent control, a crisp 360-degree camera and an auto-dimming mirror make everyday driving safer and easier.
Colour options now include new shades like Coorg Clouds and Bengal Rouge. And then there’s the value. Starting at 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom), the Punch offers a bouquet of features that are offered in above ₹ 12 lakh segment. It builds on the legacy of being India’s fastest car to reach six lakh customers—and now takes that legacy to the next level.
The 2026 Tata Punch shows that a compact SUV doesn’t need to feel small. With its bolder design, faster powertrains, smarter packaging and safer engineering, it brings big-SUV confidence into a footprint that fits perfectly into Indian roads and Indian lives. It is, quite simply, a small SUV with a big heart and an even bigger ambition.
