Tata Punch facelift: What to expect before launch tomorrow

Tata Motors unveiled the Punch facelift on January 5, with details regarding its trims following just a couple of days later. This is the first major update for the brand’s bestselling subcompact SUV, which made its debut in 2021. With the launch of the Punch facelift set for January 13, 2026, here is all that we know about this Tata so far.

1. What will be new on the exterior of the 2026 Tata Punch?

The facelift brings noticeable styling revisions, while the silhouette remains unchanged.

Starting with the front fascia, the Punch facelift gets vertically arranged headlights housed in the sculpted bumper, similar to the Punch EV. The updated combustion-powered model comes with a revised lower apron with dual air intakes in the middle, a silver piece of trim around the air dam and air curtains integrated into the lower section of the front bumper. The facelift also gets a completely restyled top portion compared to the Punch EV, lacking the full-width LEDs and also sporting different daytime running lamps (DRLs).

Compared to the previous model, the design of the two-tone alloy wheels on the Punch facelift looks fancier. The faux roof bars, pillar-integrated rear door handles and two-tone exterior colour choices remain unchanged. At the rear of the 2026 Tata Punch are new tail-lights connected by a full-width LED strip, all of which are housed within a new black trim. The rear camera module has been relocated lower to the redesigned rear bumper (above the licence plate), while the brand’s logos are also new.

2. What is different inside the 2026 Tata Punch?

The Punch facelift’s interior design is similar to its EV counterpart.

The design changes on the inside of the combustion-powered Punch facelift are mostly similar to the Punch EV. From the position of the engine-start button to the infotainment display and the touch-enabled HVAC panel, all have been carried over from the EV. While the styling and layout of the dashboard also look familiar, the Punch facelift gets a traditional gear lever, which will be more intuitive to use.

The white padding formerly found only on the dashboard and doors is now also used around the front AC vents. This dual-tone effect will help break up the monotony of the otherwise mostly black cabin of the Punch facelift. Moreover, the part-digital driver’s display (or multi-information display) of the 2026 Punch is situated in the centre of the instrument cluster, between the fuel and engine temperature gauges.

3. What features will the 2026 Tata Punch get?

The equipment list of the Punch facelift adds updated tech and safety features.

The 2026 Tata Punch will get a 7.0-inch part-digital instrument cluster, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system found in the top trims of the pre-facelift model will be carried forward with this facelift. It not only supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the higher-resolution system is also expected to be quicker to respond and more intuitive to use.

We expect the higher trims of the 2026 Tata Punch to come with a powered sunroof, surround-view cameras, a wireless charging pad and ventilated front seats. On the safety front, the Punch facelift will get electronic stability control, ISOFIX anchor points, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and 6 airbags on all trim levels. Higher trims of the 2026 Punch will get automatic headlights and wipers, a blind-spot monitor and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror (IRVM).

4. What engines will be offered with the 2026 Tata Punch?

Tata will offer the Punch with a turbo-petrol engine for the first time.

Most variants of the Tata Punch facelift will get the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine found in the existing model. The petrol-only iteration of this naturally aspirated mill produces around 88hp and 115Nm, while the CNG version makes 73.5hp and 103Nm. The choice of gearboxes will be carried forward, which means a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT (only in the petrol variants).

For the first time, the Tata Punch will offer a turbo-petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Tata Motors has not disclosed further details regarding this new powertrain. However, it could be the three-cylinder mill that powered the Altroz iTurbo, where it made 110hp and 140Nm of torque.

5. What will be the price of the 2026 Tata Punch?

The Punch facelift is likely to cost up to Rs 50,000 more, depending on the variant.

The updated design and equipment list will result in the 2026 Tata Punch being pricier than the pre-facelift model. Compared to the latter, the prices could go up by around Rs 20,000-50,000, depending on the variant.

While the 2025 Punch started at Rs 5.50 lakh, the base variant of the Punch facelift is expected to start from Rs 6 lakh. Similarly, the top-end variant of the previous Punch was priced at Rs 9.30 lakh, and its 2026 successor could be priced at around Rs 9.50 lakh. The rivals of the Tata Punch include the Hyundai Exter, Citroen C3 and Maruti Suzuki Ignis.