Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: The Enthusiast's Battle

As a car enthusiast, comparing the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter goes beyond just the price tag; it’s a battle between Ruggedness and Safety versus Refinement and Features.

Here is the real-world enthusiast’s review, broken down by what matters most.

🥊 Head-to-Head: Punch vs. Exter

1. Engine & Performance (The Vibe Check)

Aspect Tata Punch (Petrol) Hyundai Exter (Petrol)
Engine Type 1.2L 3-Cylinder Revotron 1.2L 4-Cylinder Kappa
Refinement Less refined. A noticeable thrum/vibration, especially at idle. Highly refined. Smooth, quiet, and vibration-free (typical Hyundai).
Power Output 88 PS / 115 Nm (Slightly higher power) 83 PS / 114 Nm
Enthusiast Take Punchier in the City: The 3-cylinder is tuned for strong low-end torque, making it feel more spirited in stop-start traffic. Smoother on the Highway: The 4-cylinder is much nicer to rev out and feels less strained at higher speeds.
AMT Gearbox Tuned for efficiency, leading to a more noticeable “head-nod” between shifts. Smoother shifts. Hyundai’s AMT uses electric actuators, making it one of the better AMTs in the segment for city use.

2. Safety & Build (The Core Foundation)

Aspect Tata Punch Hyundai Exter
G-NCAP Rating Proven 5-Star (Adult Safety) Not tested (but built on the Grand i10 Nios/Aura platform, which scored 2 stars previously).
Airbags Dual Airbags Standard (6 Airbags on top variants only) 6 Airbags Standard across ALL variants
Enthusiast Take The Safety King: The 5-star rating is a proven, tangible assurance of the Punch’s structural integrity. This is a massive win for Tata and the biggest reason to pick the Punch. Feature-Rich Safety: Hyundai democratizes safety features (6 airbags standard), but the structural integrity is unproven compared to the Punch’s official rating.

3. CNG Comparison (The Practicality Battle)

Aspect Tata Punch iCNG Hyundai Exter CNG
Engine Refinement 3-Cylinder, noticeably less refined in CNG mode. 4-Cylinder, smoother and quieter in CNG mode.
Performance Slower. 0-100 km/h times are significantly slower than the Exter CNG. Quicker. Feels less sluggish than the Punch CNG.
Boot Space Usable 210L (Thanks to Tata’s twin-cylinder setup) Usable 391L (The Exter manages to offer much more usable boot space with its CNG placement.)
The Verdict While the Punch’s twin-cylinder is smart, the Exter CNG is the overall better package due to the vastly smoother 4-cylinder engine and the significantly larger, more usable boot.

4. Ride, Handling & Styling

  • Tata Punch:
    • Styling: More butch, proper mini-SUV stance. Looks wider and more muscular.
    • Handling: Solid, planted, and confident at highway speeds. The suspension is tuned for stability, making it feel more like a mini-tank.
    • Ground Clearance: Slightly higher at 187 mm.
  • Hyundai Exter:
    • Styling: Quirky, boxy, and modern. The H-shaped DRLs are divisive, but it looks urban and stylish.
    • Ride: Softer suspension tune, which translates to a plusher, more comfortable ride in the city over broken roads. It can feel a bit unsettled (pitching/bobbing) on the highway.
    • Features: Loaded with segment-first features like a sunroof, dashcam, and a slicker 8-inch touchscreen.

🏁 Final Enthusiast’s Verdict

Your choice hinges on your absolute priority:

Choose Tata Punch if… Choose Hyundai Exter if…
You want proven, uncompromising safety (5-star G-NCAP). You demand engine refinement (4-cylinder smoothness).
You prefer a robust, planted feel on the highway. You want a feature-loaded cabin (Sunroof, Dashcam, better touchscreen).
You value low-end punch and a rugged, classic SUV look. You prioritize a smoother AMT experience in the city.
You are buying the CNG version and need the largest possible boot (surprisingly, the Exter wins here). You want 6 airbags standard across all variants.

The Punch is the safer, more rugged, and arguably better highway driver. The Exter is the more refined, feature-packed, and better city commuter with a superior automatic gearbox (AMT).