New Delhi: Tata Motors recently updated the Punch EV with a new look and ample features to make the sub-compact SUV a game-changer. We drove Tata’s newest EV offering and came out impressed with many things about the Punch EV, and in general, had a positive point of view.
The Punch EV was always going to receive a lot of attention, with its compact frame offering easy life in the city and a tall height that gives you loads of confidence. Coming with a new, bigger battery pack means it packs more range and performance as well. Here are 3 things we loved about the Punch EV and two things we didn’t like about it.
Three reasons to like the Tata Punch
3) Driving dynamics
The Punch EV has amazing driving dynamics, and as such, there are no body rolls, and the suspension in general is quite composed. We drove it through rather winding roads and patches of poor roads, and felt little of it. The steering, throttle, and brakes were alert, and the cabin insulation is quite impressive. With a sports mode doing 0-100 kph in 9 seconds, it makes for a good highway companion.
2) Impressive real-world range
Tata Punch’s 40 kWh battery pack has an impressive range
We drove the new 40 kWh battery pack of the Punch EV, which has a claimed ARAI range of 468 km. In the real world, it can do 350+ km, which is quite impressive. We took the car from a 100 per cent charge and drove it for nearly 180 km, and we had 35 per cent left, which could still do around 135 kms. Having not really driven for maximising range, these figures are impressive and gives you confidence to take it out on higway as well.
1) Value for money
At this price point, Tata Punch’s feature list is impressive
Tata has priced the Punch EV between Rs 9.69 lakh and Rs 12.59 lakh, with a BaaS being offered, which takes the pricing down to Rs 6.49 lakh. In that you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Ventilated front seats and automatic climate control, 360-degree surround camera, sunroof and lots more. All this makes it a bargain of the century.
Two not-so-likeable things about the Tata Punch EV
2) Front fascia design
Tata Punch EV’s front fascia isn’t its strong suit
The front bumper uses a lot of plastic cladding, and the camera housing makes an awkward interruption in the very plain front fascia. The front fascia looks a bit plain, and there aren’t a lot of design elements, which makes it look like a toy car almost. The lower part of the bumper is protruding out and could be vulnerable to damage.
1) Cheap interior plastics and fit-and-finish issues
Tata Punch touch-sensitive control-panel
The dashboard plastics feel a bit low quality, and we found signs of wear on the door panel plastics. Apart from this, the door handle was too big, whilst the iToggle that replaces the usual power window button felt flimsy. The touch-sensitive control panel is clearer, but functions like central-locking doesn’t belong here. Plus, the gear rotary nob isn’t intuitive enough and feels made of cheap plastic as well.