Compact SUVs and hatchbacks are the two bestselling segments in India that are sought after for their budget-friendly prices and tough build quality. The newly launched Tata Punch is all set to take on segment leaders which include the Maruti Suzuki Ignis. In the comparison: Tata Punch vs Maruti Suzuki Ignis, both are stylish, compact SUVs with the DNA of a budget hatchback, priced within the same range to keep them within the reach of entry-level car buyers. The Tata Punch is priced at Rs.5.93 lakh (average ex-showroom) while the Maruti Suzuki Ignis costs Rs.5.17 lakh (average ex-showroom).
What car buyers are looking for is value for money, a long list of features and of course affordable running costs. In this case, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis seems the better bet, but the Tata Punch is not going to give up without a fight in terms of its build quality and safety rating.
The Ignis gets a BS6 compliant 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 82 bhp and 113 Nm in a standard 4-cylinder layout. There are options for a 5-speed manual or AMT transmission. The Tata Punch also gets only a petrol variant, which is a 1.2 litre, naturally aspirated, Revotron petrol engine, however, it is a 3-cylinder layout. Power figures are matched with the Ignis at 84 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the Tata Punch include a standard 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox.
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The Punch engine is shared with the Tigor, Tiago and Altroz so there are no surprises here, but it could do with some more torque and performance. On the highway, you really have to row through the gears and literally punch it to get going. The Ignis however offers peppy performance, which is well suited for city driving. The 1.2-litre VVT is smooth and refined while offering excellent fuel economy. If you pitch the Maruti Suzuki Ignis vs Tata Punch in terms of engine performance, the Ignis is the clear winner.
Punch vs Ignis – Exteriors
The Tata Punch gets handsome, mature styling with a mass appeal. It looks like a downsized Harrier, in fact, its dimension seems to embody a scaled-down full-size SUV. It gets split projector headlamps, LED DRLs and dual-tone bumpers. The grille looks chunky with the wide air dam in front flanked by large fog lamps. Ingress/egress is aided by 90-degree opening doors which will prove helpful for the elderly. Stylish dual-tone alloys complete the exterior package.
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The Ignis grille is reminiscent of the slated Jeep front end or more precisely the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, albeit in a modern avatar. It gets contrasting skid plates at the front and rear which make the Ignis look more like an SUV than a large hatchback. There is a roof-mounted spoiler at the rear and the Ignis rides on 15-inch alloys.
Tata punch vs Maruti Ignis – Interiors
Interiors of the Punch are well appointed featuring a 70-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital/analogue instrument binnacle and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It looks and feels premium from the inside with features such as cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, contrast coloured accents and steering mounted control for the infotainment system.
The Ignis has a dual-tone colour theme 3 shades to spruce up the driving experience. An infotainment system, automatic climate control, adjustable driver seat and steering for the perfect driving position and a 60:40 split rear bench.
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Tata Punch vs Maruti Ignis Comparison – Specifications, Price, Features and Equipment
The Maruti Ignis is sold at a starting price of Rs.5.17 lakh (average ex-showroom) for the Sigma 1.2 MT version. The Tata Punch is priced at Rs.5.93 lakh for the Pure MT variant. The Ignis and the Punch are available in only petrol engine options (both are 1.2-litre engines).
| Maruti Suzuki Ignis | Tata Punch | |
| Variant | Sigma 1.2 MT | Pure MT |
| Price | Rs.5.17 lakh | Rs.5.93 lakh |
| Engine | 1197 cc, 4 cylinders inline | 1199 cc, 3 cylinders inline |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine Type | 1.2-litre VVT | 1.2 Litre Revotron |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm | 84 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 113 Nm @ 4200 rpm | 113 Nm @ 3300 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 20.8 kmpl | 18.9 kmpl |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual | 5-speed Manual |
| Kerb Weight | 825 kg | – |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 187 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2435 mm | 2445 mm |
| Length | 3700 mm | 3827 mm |
| Height | 1595 mm | 1615 mm |
| Width | 1690 mm | 1742 mm |
| Boot space (litres) | 260 litres | 366 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 32 litres | 37 litres |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut Suspension | Independent Suspension, Lower Wishbone McPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Semi-Independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring |
| Front Brake Type | Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Drum | Drum |
| Wheels | Steel | Steel |
| Front Tyres | 175 / 65 R15 | 185 / 70 R15 |
| Rear Tyres | 175 / 65 R15 | 185 / 70 R15 |
| Overspeed Warning | Yes | Yes |
| NCAP rating | No | 5 Star (Global NCAP rating) |
| Airbags | Driver + Passenger | Driver + Passenger |
| Child Seat Anchor Points | Yes | Yes |
| Seatbelt Warning | Yes | Yes |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Brake Assist | Yes | No |
| Air Conditioning | Manual, Single Zone | Manual, Single Zone |
| Parking Sensors | Rear | Rear |
| Steering Adjustment | Tilt | Tilt |
| 12 V Power Outlet | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Seat Adjustment | Manually adjustable | Manually adjustable |
| Roof Mounted Antenna | Yes | No |
| Body Coloured Bumpers | Yes | Yes |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
| Tail Lights | Halogen | Halogen |
| DRLs | No | No |
| Infotainment Connectivity | No | No |
| Battery Warranty (km) | No | No |
| Warranty (years) | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Warranty (km) | 40,000 km | 75,000 km |
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Advantages & Disadvantages
Let’s take a look at some of the pros of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis compact SUV. It has a retro-modern design, boxy yet appealing.
Pros
- The Maruti Suzuki Ignis benefits from a wide service network and the best after-sales service you can find. There is a wide availability of spares which are offered at affordable rates keeping running costs low.
- It is a practical hatchback / compact SUV that has storage space in the cabin for all your belongings, you can store your phone in the centre console and water bottles in the door pads.
- The Ignis is built on the Heartech platform which is a light and strong chassis made from aluminium and steel. Engine performance is adequate to get the Ignis sprinting when required. The engine is also extremely refined, smooth and frugal.
- A good city-dwelling car due to its compact dimensions and spacious interior. Steering and controls are easy to use making daily driving a real pleasure.
- The Ignis not only looks like a premium offering from the exterior, but the quality of materials is also above par compared to other compact SUVs in the segment. There are customisation options that you can add to the Ignis through the Nexa dealership.
- SUV-like characteristics like high ground clearance are a boon on bumpy roads, while the hatchback-like compact dimensions allow it to squeeze through traffic.
- Great all-around visibility thanks to the high seating position and wide viewing angles. Navigating through city traffic is made easier with these advantages.
Cons
- The Ignis is not offered in diesel, CNG or turbo petrol engine options. There is only a 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine available. The diesel variant was discontinued after BS6 norms came into effect.
- The AMT gearbox option is not smooth at times, especially when you step on the throttle. AMT gearboxes are never as smooth as CVTs or torque converters, but the jerky response is pronounced in the Ignis.
- The exterior design lacks mass appeal, and many find the retro-modern look unexciting. The dimensions are also a tad boxy which further enhances the old-school styling.
- Rear seat lacks space and can be a squeeze for 3 adults looking for a comfortable rear bench.
Tata Punch Advantages & Disadvantages
Here is a list of the pros and cons of the compact and stylish Tata Punch. Since it is priced in the same range as the Maruti Ignis, buyers will be looking for a comparison of the features and advantages the Tata Punch offers.
Pros
- The Tata Punch is seen as good value for money due to its feature-rich cabin, stylish design and good ride comfort.
- The Punch offers high ground clearance, typical of a compact SUV. The extra ride height also gives it an SUV-like stance that provides stable driving in the city and highway.
- Cabin is spacious and large windows provide good visibility all around so that passengers won’t feel claustrophobic.
- Ride and handling are soft and comfortable, passengers will not feel the extent of a bumpy road.
- Seats provide plenty of support and the rear bench is wide enough to seat 3 passengers in comfort. There is lots of leg and headroom too.
- Has a big car feel due to its high driving position and planted dynamics.
Cons
- The 1.2 litre naturally aspirated engine lacks top-end power and the Punch needs to be coaxed into performing at high speeds. It also gets quite noisy when the engine revs hard which can be annoying.
- The steering lacks feedback and doesn’t have linear control. Not something to inspire confidence if you are looking for sporty driving dynamics.
- The AMT gearbox jerks between shifts and is not a refined unit as compared to other transmissions in the segment. The Punch would do better with a CVT or Torque Converter.
- The rear seat lacks headroom for 3 passengers although legroom is sufficient. The cabin is spacious enough for 4 adults in total.
- After sales and service network is not wide enough, car buyers will look to other manufacturers for a better experience.
- Since the engine is a 3-cylinder, it lacks the refinement of the segment standard 4-cylinder engine.
- Rear A/c vents, full-size spare wheel and auto-dimming rear-view mirror are some features that are missing at this price point.
Conclusion
The Tata Punch has a lot riding on it due to its advanced features, SUV stance and new-age design. It certainly is a good-looking compact SUV that stands out from the rest. Blending a hatchback’s dimensions with an SUV’s build makes it a strong contender against the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, which has a sublime engine and rock-solid reliability as its main selling points.
When it comes to pricing, Punch vs Ignis are equally matched, coming in at just under Rs.6 lakh. While both compact SUVs are good value for money, the Tata Punch is more expensive but includes features that are not available on the Ignis. It also has a more spacious cabin and is a bit more rugged and durable compared to the Ignis which is built with lightness in mind.
Other notable rivals to the Tata Punch vs Maruti Suzuki Ignis include the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Maruti Suzuki Swift and Mahindra KUV 100 NXT.
The Maruti Suzuki Ignis does well with its eager engine performance and refined powertrain. The same cannot be said about the Tata Punch’s 3-cylinder powerplant which lacks low-end performance and has to rev higher to achieve the same power. It seems the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a few steps ahead of the Tata Punch which has translated to dominating sales month after month.
Keep reading the Carorbis blog for exciting and informative articles such as the best automatic motorcycles in India and the best family SUVs in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Tata or Maruti which is best?
Ans. Tata cars are known to have a better safety rating, especially on the recent models, with consistent 4- or 5-star Global NCAP ratings. On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki cars are not praised for their build quality although they are very reliable cars. Maruti Suzuki models also have fuel-efficient engines that provide excellent fuel economy, keeping running costs low. Maintenance for Maruti is also on the lower side and the manufacturer benefits from a wide service network around the country. Tata’s service and after-sales network are not the best in the market and many people say Maruti is the winner hands down in this segment. The cars are not very reliable and have maintenance issues quite often.
