Tata Punch EV

Step inside, and the cabin feels surprisingly upmarket. Tata has done a commendable job improving the fit and finish.

Cabin Layout and Quality

The dashboard is cleanly laid out, retaining the familiar dual-screen setup of a sharp digital driver’s display and a central touchscreen. The new twin-spoke steering wheel looks fantastic, and other touchpoints are generally good. You do find some scratchy plastics lower down in the cabin, but the rest of the upper dashboard feels adequately padded. We need to mention the revised window switches and split door locks; they are some welcome ergonomic updates.

Seating Comfort

All the seats inside the vehicle offer a good balance of support and cushioning.

Front Row

The front squab is generous. You get to sit high up and relish a commanding view of the road. Side bolstering holds you firmly in place when you hustle through corners, and ventilated front seats are also available on the top-spec trims, which is an absolute lifesaver during our sweltering summers.

Second Row

This row benefits from a flat floor and ample legroom, along with proper headroom, too. Its most practical features are the centre armrest, the reclining-angle backseats, and the fast-charging USB ports. However, the car missed out on rear AC vents.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• The 10.25-inch touchscreen is snappy and responsive.
• The twin-spoke steering wheel integrates nicely.
• The updated split door lock system improves daily usability.

But Bilal points out one thing,
“The vents start emitting heat sometimes, while the display stubbornly insists it's still at your cool, set temperature.”

Tata is actively trying to undercut its rivals and bring EVs to the masses. The standard ex-showroom price starts at Rs. 9.69 lakh for the Punch EV's base 30 kWh variant. That is a remarkably strong value proposition. However, the real steal is the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) route. Under BaaS, the entry point plummets to just Rs. 6.49 lakh. You then pay a nominal running cost of Rs. 2.6 per kilometre for the battery rental, which makes long-term ownership significantly more pocket-friendly.

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Note: Expect the BaaS prices for the higher teams following the similar strategy to the Smart variant, i.e., around Rs. 3 lakh less than that of the traditional price.

Range anxiety is the biggest hurdle for EV buyers. Tata claims an ARAI-certified figure of around 460 km for the Punch EV's 40 kWh battery, but in reality, expect between 333-353 km on a C75 real-world cycle. The smaller 30 kWh pack delivers roughly 270 km. These figures are more than adequate for pottering around town. However, if you push hard, the range drops quickly.

Observed Range During Testing

Bilal notices,

“While the first 80% depletes linearly, the final 20% drops off a cliff.”

Thankfully, the DC fast charging rate has been bumped up to 65 kW so that it can replenish the car up to 135 km of range in a brisk 15-minute stop.

Tata does not cut corners when it comes to crash safety, so you can expect the Punch EV's underlying platform to be fundamentally sorted, starting with its five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

The car packs six airbags as standard across the entire range. The shell feels rigid, and the doors shut with a reassuring thud. All rear seats feature standard ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, giving families tremendous peace of mind. The battery packs carry an IP67 rating, protecting them from deep water wading during monsoons. Tata also offers a lifetime warranty on the 40 kWh battery pack, which is a massive bonus in this segment.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

The kit list includes electronic stability control and hill-hold assist as standard. Braking hardware comprises disc brakes on higher models, and these brakes bite hard and feel progressive. A 360-degree camera system is cleanly integrated into the front bumper, which genuinely helps squeeze the car into tight parking spots. The Android Auto navigation, meanwhile, tends to lose itself at slow speeds sometimes, confusing your location entirely.

Safety Verdict

Overall, the SUV completely ticks most boxes for safety. The structural integrity is excellent, and its active safety nets intervene smoothly without feeling overly intrusive.

Tata has packed its compact electric vehicle with an impressive kit list. The cabin maintains a modern digital aesthetic, relying on a comprehensive suite of displays.

Infotainment and Interface

• Higher trims feature a 10.25-inch Harman touchscreen system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• A 10.25-inch digital driver’s display provides crisp graphics, sitting perfectly behind a new twin-spoke steering wheel.
• The overall interface is largely quick and intuitive to use.
• However, as we already mentioned, navigation bugs can surface.

Bilal notes,
“At slow speeds, the Android Auto navigation seemed lost. It would show my car 500 meters away in the middle of a lake.”

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• A 360-degree camera integrates beautifully into the redesigned front bumper.
• The ventilated front seats keep you cool in heavy traffic.
• A wireless phone charger is smartly tucked away in the console.
• Auto-dimming inside mirrors and automatic climate control add premium touches.
• The window and door lock toggles use a new split system rather than a single unit.
• Unfortunately, the cabin could have benefited more from dedicated rear AC vents.

Despite having a large battery pack, practicality is uncompromised in this EV. The boot offers 366 litres of space, and its load lip is quite manageable; we found loading heavy suitcases a fuss-free affair. The rear seats also fold down to accommodate larger items, but they do not fold completely flat. Still, it provides ample stowage for airport runs or weekend getaways, and you can easily squeeze in a few soft bags alongside a medium hard case. For a car of this footprint, the cargo area is genuinely well thought out.

The Tata Punch EV's real magic lies beneath its skin, as its suspension tuning is wonderfully sorted out for Indian driving conditions.

City Driving

In slow traffic, the EV feels nippy and easy to hustle. The power delivery is linear, giving you a punchy surge when needed. The suspension, meanwhile, irons out bumps and ruts effortlessly, preventing the cabin from suffering harsh thuds over broken tarmac. As for the steering, it stays light at low speeds.
Bilal appreciates,
“The suspension setup is so mature that I now expect every other car to handle speed breakers and bad roads with the same grace.”

Highway Driving

Out on the open road, the chassis feels planted. It remains sure-footed even when cruising at triple-digit speeds, and the car also manages body roll surprisingly well through sweeping bends. It never feels wallowy or unsettled over mid-corner bumps, but we caution against pushing it too hard. The brakes, meanwhile, have progressive stopping power, hauling the entire kerb weight down with absolute confidence.

Buyers can choose from many distinct trims, as the lineup has some exciting options like Smart, Smart Plus, Adventure, Empowered, and Empowered Plus S, etc.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• Dedicated rear AC vents
• Level 2 ADAS features
• Split-folding rear seats
• Cupholders for the second-row passengers

With five variants from Tata in retail (six, if you consider the Smart Plus has both 30 kWh and 40 kWh), choosing one depends on what you expect from the car the most.

Best for Strict City Commutes: Smart Plus 30 kWh

The 30 kWh Smart Plus trim does the job here. You get the 87 bhp motor and 250 km real-world range, which works well for city-only commutes. 

Best for Highway Runs and Weekend Trips: Adventure 40 kWh

We strongly recommend stepping up to the 40 kWh Adventure trim here. You get the punchy 127 bhp motor and a solid 300 km real-world range, and it will keep range anxiety away without stretching your wallet too far.

Best for the Tech-Obsessed Buyer: Empowered Plus S 40 kWh

If you want every available bell and whistle of the Punch EV, the Empowered Plus S is the answer. It brings ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera to the fore, and its interior feels like a properly upmarket cabin.