The Tata Punch EV is arguably one of the most well-rounded compact electric SUVs on the market. In many ways, it feels like a mini Nexon EV while still offering sufficient range to make for an ideal urban runabout. If you’ve been wanting to bring home Tata’s smallest and most affordable electric SUV, here are a few pointers that should help you make an informed decision.
1. Strong performance
Performance is arguably one of the Punch EV’s biggest strengths – it’s silent, smooth and strong. The Long Range variants equipped with the 35kWh battery are powered by a 122hp/190Nm electric motor, while the lower standard variant with the 25kWh battery gets a less powerful 82hp motor.
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The Punch EV gets off the line effortlessly and gathers pace progressively and rapidly, and you’re never really left wanting for more power. You get three driving modes – Sport, City and Eco – each of which is calibrated very differently to suit different driving styles and requirements. In Sport mode, the Punch EV sprints from 0 to 100kph in 9.45 seconds, quicker than even the Nexon EV. That said, the Punch EV isn’t particularly tuned for neck-snapping acceleration, which is typical of EVs. That’s in the interest of comfort and because Tata wanted to make it appealing to first-time EV buyers. Still, performance will be sufficient for most users.
2. Ride and handling balance
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Ride comfort is an area where the Punch EV has nailed it. The subcompact SUV soaks up the worst of roads with the authority of a much bigger SUV. At low speeds, sharp edges do thud through, but that’s more a function of the 195/60 R16 tyre sidewalls that take the impact; higher profile tyres on the 15-inch rims on lower trims will be more comfortable. Straight-line stability, again, is very good, and even through long, sweeping corners, the Punch EV holds its line well. There is a fair bit of body roll when pushed hard through tight corners, but thanks to the low centre of gravity the battery pack affords, the sense of stability and connection with the road is maintained. Its generous 190mm ground clearance means the Punch EV can even handle mild, odd off-road trails with ease.
3. Loaded with equipment
In its top-spec Empowered+ trim, the Punch EV is equipped with everything you’d expect from a car of this size and segment, and then some more. Borrowed from its bigger sibling are its free-standing 10.2-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. It also gets a sunroof, a crisp 360-degree camera, a lane-view monitor, ventilated front seats, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, auto LED headlamps and wipers, a wireless charger, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – the works.
A strange miss, however, is the absence of rear AC vents in an otherwise well-equipped car. It’s also worth highlighting that the infotainment system is known to frequently throw up issues, often glitching while using wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and also the 360-degree camera. The rotary drive selector is also slow to respond.
While we have listed solid reasons to buy the Punch, here are a couple of reasons why you might want to look elsewhere:
What community is saying on the Punch EV?
1. Cramped rear seats
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The Punch EV is quite a compact vehicle, so the cabin is – expectedly – snug. However, the rear seats still offer good thigh support, and you do not sit in a knees-up position because they have been raised to compensate for the raised floor. The trade-off, however, is reduced headroom due to the increased seat height, and this issue is exaggerated in the sunroof-equipped variants, which have lower roof liners. Legroom, too, is in short supply, and, as a result, the rear seat is best only for short people.
2. Higher variants are pricey
The Tata Punch EV is priced between Rs 9.99 lakh and Rs 14.44 lakh (ex-showroom). At the top end of its range, the Punch EV is priced similarly to the mid-spec Nexon EV Fearless trim, which is not only larger and more spacious but also comes with a larger 45kWh battery pack. So, for the value-conscious Indian buyer, where price equates to size, the compact Punch EV does come across as expensive. The fact that most feel-good creature comforts are concentrated at the top end of the line-up further diminishes the value factor.
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