The recently launched Tata Punch facelift made the sub-compact SUV more rounded than before, bringing in tweaked styling, more features and an all-new turbo-petrol manual that’s shared with the larger Nexon compact SUV.
Thanks to its pricing, the top variants of the Punch iTurbo overlap with the lower- to mid-spec variants of the Nexon, which makes it an interesting proposition. So, should you go for the more spacious Nexon or the compact little Punch? We brought together two variants close in price to figure this out.
Tata Punch vs Tata Nexon: design and dimensions
Obviously, it’s the Punch that has the more compact footprint and, as such, is smaller than the Nexon in every metric. The Nexon is 119mm longer overall, 62mm wider, 5mm taller, and has a 53mm longer wheelbase. This makes the Punch more city-friendly and easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces.
Still, it has an impressive 193mm of ground clearance (compared to the Nexon’s 205mm), and being based on the ALFA platform, unlike the Nexon, the Punch benefits from 90-degree opening doors, which make access to the cabin easier. The Nexon’s larger dimensions translate into a larger boot – 382 litres vs 366 litres for the Punch – but in reality, they both can fit a similar amount of luggage. The Punch does have the higher loading lip, though.
As for styling, the facelift brings the Punch in line with Tata’s latest design language. The reworked front end includes new vertically stacked LED headlamps, split LED DRLs and a new bumper. The alloys are now larger at 16 inches and feature a new dual-tone design. At the rear, there’s now a new connected LED light bar, like all Tata SUVs.
The Nexon clearly sits in the next size bracket, both in dimensions and presence. It also has the distinct Tata family look, complete with LED lighting elements and LED light bar at the rear. However, the tapering coupé-like roofline and curvy fenders lend it its distinct identity and road presence. Like the Punch, the Nexon also gets 16-inch dual-tone alloys, plastic body cladding and roof rails, all of which help add a bit of character.
Tata Punch vs Tata Nexon: interior and features
Like the exterior, there are similarities inside the cabin too. With the facelift, the Punch falls more in line with the latest Tata SUVs, featuring a two-spoke gloss-black steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo and a touch-based climate control panel, though it isn’t intuitive to use on the move. The dash, like the Nexon, features different textures and a light-coloured panel. The Punch also has dual-tone upholstery, which helps aesthetics. However, its front seats don’t feel as accommodating as the Nexon’s, but thanks to the facelift’s better cushioning and extended thigh support, comfort has improved over the outgoing Punch.
Rear-seat space is reasonable given the Punch’s size, and the flat floor does help matters, but the narrower cabin means three adults here will be a squeeze. The Punch does get a centre armrest and charging ports at the rear, which this variant of the Nexon doesn’t. The Punch’s cabin also features more storage spaces.
The Nexon, in this Creative+ S trim, features a predominantly black theme for the dash and the upholstery, which robs you of that sense of space to some extent. The quality of materials and fit/finish is similar in both, but the Nexon does feature some soft-touch materials on the door cards, which help it feel slightly more premium.
The Nexon’s front seats are larger, but they don’t feel as comfy as the Punch’s thanks to their shape and cushioning. The Nexon also misses out on a centre armrest at the front, which is replaced by a cupholder. Higher variants do get an armrest, but that comes at the expense of cupholders, which are oddly placed in the glovebox. At the rear, the Nexon is better than the Punch in all departments, be it knee room, headroom, shoulder room, under-thigh support and seat cushioning. Thanks to the wider cabin, three adults can sit here comfortably.
There are some significant differences when it comes to features between the two SUVs. Commonalities include auto LED headlamps, auto wipers, 16-inch alloys, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, a digital driver’s display, a sunroof, a 360-degree parking camera, auto climate control, cruise control and rear AC vents.
In addition, the Punch Accomplished+ S gets a wireless phone charger, a 7-inch instrument cluster (Nexon gets a 4-inch unit), ambient lighting, an auto-dimming IRVM, a centre rear armrest and an 8-speaker audio system, compared to the Nexon’s 4-speaker system. Meanwhile, the Nexon Creative+ S gets drive modes like Eco, City and Sport, which the Punch doesn’t. It’s worth noting, however, that the Nexon also gets all the features of the Punch, and some more, but in the higher variants.
There’s a difference when it comes to safety. Both SUVs feature 6 airbags, ESP, traction control, hill-hold assist, and both have received a full 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. However, the Punch does get a tyre pressure monitoring system, which the Nexon misses out on.
Tata Punch vs Tata Nexon: performance, ride and handling
Both the Punch and Nexon use the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, MPFi turbo-petrol engine that puts out 120hp and 170Nm, and comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It’s worth noting, though, that this engine can also be had with 5-speed manual, 6-speed AMT and 7-speed DCT options in the Nexon.
With a lower kerb weight of around 1,143kg, the Punch has better power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios than the Nexon, which has an approximate kerb weight of around 1,350kg. In our preliminary performance test, the Punch clocked a 0-100kph time of 11.56sec, narrowly edging out the Nexon’s 12.11sec time. There’s a more prominent gap in rolling acceleration, with the Punch doing 20-80kph in third gear in 10.98sec, while the Nexon took 12.85sec.
What is also similar is the driving experience. There are some noticeable vibrations in both at idle, though it does smoothen out on the move. The engine is quick to respond to throttle inputs, and save for a step up around 2,000rpm, power delivery is linear. The 6-speed manual gearbox has well-defined gates in both SUVs, but the throws are long, and the shift action isn’t the slickest.
What also doesn’t help matters is the snappy clutch, which requires careful modulation for a smooth drive. The Nexon does have the advantage of drive modes, however, which alter the SUV’s response.
However, thanks to a shorter gear lever, more compact dimensions and lighter kerb weight, the Punch does feel the more engaging of the two and is easier to drive as well. As for efficiency, the Nexon has a claimed figure of 17.44kpl, while Tata is yet to reveal the Punch’s figure. But realistically, expect the fuel efficiency to hover in the single digits to low teens, depending on how you drive. Another small yet significant point of difference is that the Nexon’s fuel tank is slightly larger than the Punch’s, which means a slightly healthier driving range.
An inherent strength of Tata models is ride comfort and handling, and both SUVs impress in this regard. Where the Punch feels more nimble and eager, the Nexon feels more assured and planted around bends. The Nexon’s wider track, wider tyres, longer wheelbase and heavier weight also make it feel more composed at higher speeds and on highways.
The steering on both SUVs also adds to the driving experience. At low speeds, it is light, which makes manoeuvring in traffic and parking easy, and it remains consistent and accurate as speeds rise. Bump absorption in both SUVs is excellent too. The Punch and Nexon both feel tough and take potholes, ruts and broken roads in their stride with ease. Both ride with the maturity of SUVs from a class above, so there’s little that separates them here.
Tata Punch vs Tata Nexon: price and verdict
Coming to pricing, the Punch Accomplished+ S costs Rs 9.80 lakh, while the Nexon Creative+ S is priced at Rs 10.34 lakh (ex-showroom, India), a difference of Rs 54,000. Both SUVs come well-equipped, have similar performance, and excel in the ride and handling department.
The Punch, in its turbo guise, has the edge in terms of outright acceleration, certain feel-good features and a lower price; and being smaller, it’s also easier to drive and park in the city. As such, the Punch is the one to go for if you want a tough, small and feature-rich car that you would drive yourself mostly in the city.
The Nexon, on the other hand, is bigger, has more road presence, and is more spacious on the inside. It feels the more mature of the two on the road, more so on highways, and it doesn’t miss out on any crucial features compared to the Punch, apart from TPMS. Therefore, the Nexon represents a more rounded package than the Punch, and as a result, it would be our pick, especially for family buyers.
