The Hyundai Exter entered the market last year as the prime rival to the Tata Punch, and offered more in terms of design, cabin, and features than the Tata micro-SUV, that too at the same price. Since then, Tata has been introducing updates to the Punch to try and stay ahead of the competition. Now, Tata launched the Punch EV, the starting price of which is in the same ballpark as the price of Exter’s top-spec variant. In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, the micro SUV segment has witnessed a surge in popularity, driven by a blend of compact size, urban practicality, and eco-friendly initiatives. Two contenders that have captured the attention of enthusiasts and commuters alike are the Hyundai Exter and the Tata Punch EV. In this detailed comparison, we dissect the key features, performance metrics, and overall appeal of these micro SUVs to help potential buyers make an informed decision.If you’re considering a new micro-SUV priced around Rs 10-11 lakh, should you consider going electric with the base-spec Tata Punch EV over something like the top-spec Hyundai Exter instead?
Design and Aesthetics
Hyundai Exter: The Hyundai Exter boasts a sleek and modern design, with bold lines and a distinctive front grille that contributes to its urban and contemporary appeal. The compact proportions of the Exter make it an ideal choice for city driving, while the attention to detail in the exterior design reflects Hyundai's commitment to creating visually striking vehicles. Both models have their individual design languages. The Exter carries a squarish rugged look with premium design elements, while the Punch EV has a modern design that defines its electric vehicle nature.
Tata Punch EV: Tata's Punch EV, on the other hand, embraces a more robust and rugged design philosophy. The SUV stance, high ground clearance, and distinctive front grille give the Punch EV a distinctive presence on the road. The design approach is aimed at those who seek a combination of style and off-road capability in a micro SUV. Both models have their individual design languages. The Exter carries a squarish rugged look with premium design elements, while the Punch EV has a modern design that defines its electric vehicle nature. Here, the top-spec Exter offers LED projector headlights, LED tail lights and LED DRLs. It also gets 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, roof rails, black bumpers, silver skid plate and dual-tone colour options. The base-spec Punch EV on the other hand, also gets LED headlights and DRLs, along with LED tail lights. But it only gets 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, body-coloured bumpers and misses out on the roof rails and dual-tone shades.
Interior and Comfort
Hyundai Exter: Inside the Exter, Hyundai focuses on creating a comfortable and tech-savvy environment. The cabin features quality materials, a user-friendly dashboard layout, and ample legroom for both the driver and passengers. The Exter's interior emphasizes a seamless integration of technology and comfort, making it an inviting space for daily commuting.
Tata Punch EV: Tata's Punch EV offers a spacious and practical interior design. With an emphasis on functionality, the Punch EV provides a well-thought-out cabin layout, including a user-friendly infotainment system and comfortable seating. The higher seating position enhances visibility, contributing to an SUV-like driving experience. The Exter comes with multiple dual-tone themes based on the colour options. It gets semi-leatherette upholstery and leather elements on the steering wheel and drive selector. The base-spec Punch EV comes with full fabric upholstery in a dual-tone black and white cabin. Here, it features Tata’s new two-spoke steering wheel with a backlit logo, but does not get any leather or chrome elements.
Performance and Powertrain
Hyundai Exter: Based on the fuel tank capacity of the Exter, it should allow you to easily travel over 500 km between refills. Meanwhile, the base-spec Punch EV only comes with a 3.3kW AC charger which takes 9.4 hours to charge from 10 to 100 percent. However, it does support 50kW fast charging that can top the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 56 minutes.
Tata Punch EV: Tata Punch EV, being an electric vehicle, offers a different driving experience. Both these cars are different in terms of their powertrains, but offer similar output performance and the convenience of two-pedal driving. One thing should be noted here, that while the power figures of both models are the same, the Punch EV, being an electric model, offers better initial acceleration.
Technology and Infotainment
Hyundai Exter: Hyundai's Exter is equipped with a range of tech features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, and advanced safety features.
Tata Punch EV: Tata Punch EV, being an electric vehicle, comes with its set of technological advancements.
Safety Features
Hyundai Exter: Hyundai places a strong emphasis on safety, and the Exter is equipped with a range of safety features, including multiple airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and electronic stability control.
Tata Punch EV: The safety features in the Tata Punch EV include airbags, ABS, and advanced stability control systems. In terms of safety, both cars are well equipped. The top-spec Exter comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), hill hold assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), rear parking sensors, rearview camera, seat belt reminders for all passengers, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
There is no doubt which car has more features for this price. The top-spec Exter is more feature-rich in every sense. It comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, a semi-digital driver’s display, automatic climate control, a single-pane sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and a dual-camera dashcam setup. The base-spec Punch EV is not as well-equipped, and comes with automatic climate control (with touch controls), a built-in air purifier, a semi-digital driver’s display, multi-mode regenerative braking, and a height-adjustable driver seat. There is no infotainment system at all, which is a big miss for this price tag.
Price and Cost of Ownership
Hyundai Exter: The Hyundai Exter, with its fuel-efficient engines, offers a competitive cost of ownership.
Tata Punch EV: While the initial purchase price of electric vehicles can be higher, the Tata Punch EV aims to offset this with lower operating costs and government incentives. The cost of electricity for charging is generally lower than traditional fuels, contributing to a potentially lower cost of ownership over the vehicle's lifespan.
Conclusion
In the Hyundai Exter vs. Tata Punch EV face-off, both micro SUVs bring unique strengths to the table. The Hyundai Exter appeals to those seeking a stylish, fuel-efficient, and technology-driven urban companion, while the Tata Punch EV caters to the environmentally conscious consumer looking for an electric vehicle with rugged design elements. However, if you’re looking for lower running costs and you only intend to use the car within the city with easy access to a charging station, you can consider going electric with the base-spec Punch EV and enhance the cabin over time with aftermarket accessories.