Tata Punch EV Review: All You Need..Almost

Tata’s new Punch EV makes the switch to electric more convincing

It’s becoming easier to spot Tata vehicles now, given their family look. The Punch EV debuts an updated design for the small SUV, with most of the changes being concentrated at the front. This updated design will remain exclusive to the Punch EV for almost a year, considering the facelift for the Punch petrol is scheduled for mid-2025. We like that the Punch EV looks like a proper mini SUV. The raised bonnet, tall height and 190 mm of ground clearance give the Punch a confident look. 

Exterior

The design is very similar to the Nexon EV, with elements such as full-width daytime running lamps, LED headlights and fog lamps placed on the bumper and the absence of a conventional grille. Like the Nexon EV, the Punch EV gets sequential turn indicators and a welcome/goodbye animation too.

Tata has also moved the charging flap to the front. It swings open in a smooth action when you press the release button. On the flap sits the new logo that Tata Motors is debuting with the Punch EV. This logo is two-dimensional and is finished in black and white. Expect to see this on more Tata EVs going forward. 

Viewed from the side and rear, design changes are negligible. You do get 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and some grey cladding on the rear bumper. The redesign at the rear has been avoided in interest of keeping costs down. Thankfully it doesn’t look outdated or out of sync with the new face.

The Punch EV also gets personas — Smart, Adventure and Empowered — all of which have a signature interior and exterior colour.

Interior

With the interior, Tata has yet again taken inspiration from the Nexon. The interior experience is transformed with three major design changes — the new twin-spoke steering wheel with the illuminated logo, the touch-based climate control panel and the redesigned floor console. In the top-spec Empowered+ variant, the white-grey theme for the dashboard and upholstery looks classy. 

Quality levels are acceptable at this price point. Tata has used hard (but good quality) plastic and given different textures on the dashboard which feels nice to the touch. Fit and finish too are consistent inside the cabin. 

The floor of the car is higher compared to the petrol-powered version. But you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless you sit in them back-to-back. Tata has managed to package the interior well with almost no loss in experience and practicality. 

At the front, the seats are wide and have thick side bolstering. Even if you are an XL-sized person, the seats will hold you in place well. There’s a central armrest too. The driver’s seat can be adjusted for height, whereas the steering gets tilt adjustment. If you are a new driver, you will appreciate the tall seating position. You will be able to spot the edge of the bonnet pretty easily, and the view out of the windows while turning/parking is unobstructed. 

It’s at the rear that the experience seems a little compromised. The space is limited, and anyone near 6 feet will feel their knees very close to the front seat. Tata has scooped out the headliner to carve out a few extra millimetres of headroom. In terms of width, there’s enough for two people to be comfortable. Squeezing a third occupant is not recommended. 

Boot Space

The Punch EV’s boot space is rated at 366 litres. This is the same as the petrol version. You can carry 4 cabin-sized trolley bags here without any issues. The boot lacks depth and width, so you may not be able to carry larger trolley bags. Rear seats get 60:40 split functionality for added convenience. 

Features

The top-spec version of the Punch EV comes loaded with features. These features go a long way in justifying a part of its asking price. Highlights include: 

• 10.25-inch touchscreen - this isn’t the slim bezel screen we’ve seen in the top-spec Nexon. It’s the one used in the mid-spec versions of the Nexon/Harrier/Safari. Gets wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay —  user interface is easy to get used to. We faced no glitches on our test drive. 

• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display - shared with the other SUVs in the Tata lineup. Neat information layout, crisp resolution. 

• Touch-based switches - not particularly easy to use on the move. Physical switches for temperature and fan speed are thoughtful. Thankfully, no control on the panel is used very frequently. 

• 360-degree camera - clear camera quality. No lag noticed. Indicating left/right brings up the respective camera feed on the infotainment screen. Would’ve preferred it on the instrument cluster instead. Can also be started with voice command! 

• Front seat ventilation -  functions as intended. The one/off switch is oddly placed and takes a little getting used to. 

Other features include an electric sunroof, cruise control, wireless charger and a fantastic 6-speaker audio system.

Safety

Right from the base variant, six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill assist are offered. The Long Range versions additionally get rear disc brakes. 

The vehicle has not been crash tested yet. However, Tata has confirmed that it will soon have a Bharat NCAP rating. 

Drive

The Punch EV is offered with two battery packs: 25 kWh and 35 kWh. The smaller battery pack is paired with a 82 PS/114 Nm motor (roughly equal to the petrol Punch) and the bigger battery gets a powerful 122 PS/190 Nm motor. 

To charge the battery of the Punch EV, you can either use an AC charger at home or use public DC fast chargers. Charging times are as follows: 

Punch EV Long Range 

We’d sum up the drive experience in one word: easy. There’s next to no learning to do here, you can simply hop into the car and get used to the way it drives. There are three modes to choose from: Eco, City and Sport, and four levels of brake energy regeneration: level 1-3, and off.  

In Eco mode, the response from the motor is dulled down. This is the mode to be in when negotiating heavy traffic. The smoother power delivery is friendlier still for new drivers.  

You can switch to City mode when your commute is a mix of slightly open city highways and smooth flowing traffic. You will enjoy the added urgency in acceleration.  

Sport mode is reserved for fun. The vehicle is capable of doing 0-100kmph in just 9.5 seconds in this mode. Good for some giggles now and then. There’s no real need for you to use Sport mode otherwise. 

Note: Brake Energy Regeneration

The brake energy regeneration system captures energy that would otherwise be lost during braking/coasting and feeds it back into the system. This helps increase range. 

Level 3: Deceleration is super strong. The moment you lift off the throttle you will feel the vehicle bog down a little immediately before slowing down. This could’ve been smoother. If you time the release of the accelerator properly, you could drive around the city purely using one pedal. Do note that the vehicle does not come to a dead halt as it slows down — it creeps at 5 kmph. 

Level 2: Perfect for everyday usability inside the city. Transition into regeneration when you lift off the throttle is a lot smoother. 

Level 1: Consider using on open highways or declines where Level 2 or 3 is causing you to lose speed. 

Level 0: The vehicle will coast, giving a similar feel as a vehicle in ‘neutral’. 

Ride and Handling

The Punch EV has a lightweight steering, making it easy to manoeuvre inside the city and park in tight spots. The weight of the steering increases as speeds climb past 80 kmph.  

Ride comfort is a highlight, where the car manages to iron out the imperfections of a bad road. The suspension works silently and keeps the occupants in decent comfort. It’s only over really bad surfaces that you’d find the body move about side to side. 

Highway manners of the Punch EV are acceptable. Stability is confidence-inspiring, and changing lanes quickly doesn’t unsettle it either. 

Verdict

The Punch EV’s asking price seems steep as per the size of the car. However, the design, features and performance justify it. The only real issue is in the rear seat space – it's strictly average. In the same budget, you can go for petrol models like Brezza/Nexon, where this issue won't arise. 

However if rear seat space isn't a critical factor for you, and you’d want a car with many features and lower running costs, the Punch EV is an excellent choice.