The Tata Punch is one of the most popular subcompact SUVs in India, and it recently received a facelift that brought forth comprehensive updates inside and out. However, the Hyundai Exter remains a formidable rival to the Punch, so let’s see how their top-spec trims – SX(O) Connect and Accomplished+ S, respectively – compare on the value front.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim exterior features
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim exterior features compared | ||
Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Headlights | Automatic LED | Automatic LED |
Tail-lamps | LED | LED |
LED DRLs | Yes | Yes |
Front fog lamps | LED | N/A |
Cornering lights | Yes | N/A |
Wheels | 16-inch alloy | 15-inch alloy |
Follow-me-home light function | Yes | Yes |
Rain-sensing wipers | Yes | No |
Electrically adjustable/foldable ORVMs | Yes | Yes |
Roof rails | Yes | Yes |
| Rear wiper and washer | Yes | Yes |
Colour | Monotone and dual-tone options | Monotone and dual-tone options |
Both subcompact SUVs are quite close here, but the Punch edges ahead thanks to the inclusion of important features such as fog lamps, cornering lights and rain-sensing wipers. The Punch’s alloy wheels are even an inch larger than those of the Exter.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim interior and features
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim interior and features compared | ||
| Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Infotainment screen size | 10.25 inches | 8 inches |
Digital cluster size | 7 inches | 4.2 inches |
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wired (wireless requires adapter) |
Sound system | 4 speakers, 4 tweeters | 4 speakers |
Sunroof | Yes | Yes |
Automatic climate control | Yes | Yes |
Seat upholstery | Fabric | Fabric-leatherette |
Steering wheel adjustment | Tilt | Tilt |
Wireless charging pad | Yes | Yes |
Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
Ambient lighting | Orange, footwell only | Red, footwell only |
Front centre armrest | Yes | No |
Rear centre armrest | Yes | No |
| Front and rear power windows | Yes | Yes |
| Driver window one-touch auto up/down | Yes | Yes |
Push-button start/stop | Yes | Yes |
USB Type-C charging ports | Front and rear | Front |
Connected car tech | Yes | Yes |
| CNG tank setup | Dual cylinders | Dual cylinders |
On the inside, the Punch facelift trumps the Exter in several areas. Not only does the Punch offer larger displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Exter owners must purchase a separate adapter for the same) and a superior sound system, it even enhances the comfort and convenience factor via rear USB Type-C charging ports and armrests for both first- and second-row occupants – a conspicuous omission from the Exter.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim safety features
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim safety kit compared | ||
Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Airbags | 6 | 6 |
Camera | 360-degree | Rear |
Parking sensors | Rear | Rear |
Blind-spot monitor | Yes | No |
Disc brakes | Front | Front |
Tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) | Yes | Yes |
Interior rearview mirror (IRVM) | Auto-dimming | Auto-dimming |
| Rear defogger | Yes | Yes |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
Hill-hold assist | Yes | Yes |
ESC | Yes | Yes |
The outgoing Punch did not come equipped with 6 airbags as standard, which Tata has rectified with the facelifted model. This brings the Punch facelift up to par with the Exter in airbag count, and the former even offers additional safety tech like a 360-degree camera and a blind-spot monitor.
Moreover, Tata claims that the Punch facelift is engineered to secure a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, just like the prior model. The Exter, meanwhile, has no safety rating attributed to it.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim driving tech
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim driving tech compared | ||
Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Drive modes | Eco, City | N/A |
Paddle shifters | Yes | Yes |
Cruise control | Yes | Yes |
Idle start/stop | Yes | No |
The Punch facelift notably features a couple of drive modes, while the Exter gets none. Tata has even added paddle shifters to the Punch facelift to level the playing field with the Exter. Though not favourable at times, idle engine start/stop is available for Punch owners too, which can help save fuel during extended traffic stops.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim powertrains
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim engine and gearbox options compared | ||
Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Engine | 1.2 NA petrol / 1.2 NA CNG / 1.2 turbo-petrol | 1.2 NA petrol |
| Cylinder count | 3 | 4 |
Power (hp) | 88 / 73 / 120 | 83 |
Torque (Nm) | 115 / 103 / 170 | 114 |
| Gearbox options | 5MT, 5AMT / 5AMT / 6MT | 5MT, 5AMT |
Under the hood, the facelifted top-spec Punch affords way more choice to buyers than the Exter. You can have the Punch Accomplished+ S in petrol, turbo-petrol or CNG guise, while the Exter SX(O) Connect is available solely in petrol.
Both subcompact SUVs offer 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT options with their naturally aspirated petrol engines. The Punch offers its CNG powertrain with the AMT and the turbo-petrol engine with a 6-speed manual. Not to mention, the Punch is more powerful than the Exter despite the latter’s engine sporting an extra cylinder.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim prices
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim prices compared | ||
Punch Accomplished+ S | Exter SX(O) Connect | |
Petrol MT price (Rs, lakh) | 8.99 | 8.98 |
| Petrol AMT price (Rs, lakh) | 9.54 | 9.35 |
| Turbo-petrol MT price (Rs, lakh) | 9.79 | N/A |
| CNG MT price (Rs, lakh) | 10.54 | N/A |
Pricing is a win for the Punch facelift, with its top-spec trim starting at virtually the same price as that of the Exter. This is likely due to Hyundai mandatorily bundling the Knight Edition package (otherwise an optional extra worth Rs 13,500) with the Exter SX(O) Connect petrol-MT variant; the AMT version can be had sans the Knight Edition package.
Even so, the Punch Accomplished+ S petrol-AMT costs just Rs 19,000 more than the equivalent Exter variant, while the turbo-petrol MT configuration commands a Rs 44,000 premium. Not to mention, the Punch Accomplished+ S is sold in CNG-AMT guise too, with the Exter SX(O) Connect offering no equivalent powertrain.
Tata Punch facelift vs Hyundai Exter top trim: Which one should you buy?
Punch Accomplished+ S offers better value overall
Given its numerous feature advantages, stronger and more diverse powertrain offerings and competitive pricing, the Tata Punch facelift beats the Hyundai Exter on paper. It’s worth noting, though, that the Exter is also set to get a facelift in 2026, which could deliver stiffer competition to the updated Punch.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.