Tata cars in India (18)

You’ve already booked the Tata Sierra Accomplished 1.5 TGDi automatic. On paper, it fits your requirements quite well: five seats, predominantly city use, and a budget capped at Rs 24 lakh.

The Sierra is a more modern product compared to the Tata Harrier, and as you rightly pointed out, it has strong road presence and very distinctive styling. In the flesh, the fit and finish on the Sierra is actually quite good. Panel gaps and shut lines are tight, and overall build consistency feels improved. It’s also worth noting that the Sierra is produced at Tata’s ex-Ford plant in Sanand. It operates to higher production standards than some of Tata Motors’ older facilities. That does give some confidence that quality levels are among the best Tata has achieved so far.

Both cars use the same 1.5-litre TGDi petrol engine, but in the Harrier it is tuned to produce around 10hp more. In our experience, the Harrier does feel slightly smoother and a bit stronger in outright performance. However, for predominantly city driving of 1,800-2,000km a month, you’re unlikely to really exploit that extra power. What matters more is drivability, ease of manoeuvring and day-to-day comfort.

This is where the Sierra makes a strong case. The Harrier, as you’ve noticed, feels bulkier and larger. In tight urban conditions, that extra size can become a bit of a handful. The Sierra’s slightly more compact dimensions and good visibility from the driver’s seat make it easier to live with in daily city traffic. The cabin design in the Sierra also feels fresher and more contemporary, whereas the Harrier’s interior, while solid, doesn’t feel as special.

In terms of long-term ownership, Tata cars aren’t as reliable as global brands, but the quality has improved, and we don’t think this is a deal breaker. 

Given your budget, usage pattern and preference for a 5-seater that feels modern and manageable in the city, the Sierra is the better overall fit. If you can accommodate the two-month waiting period, it is worth waiting for rather than choosing the Harrier simply because it is immediately available.

The new Tata Punch EV facelift, which has been recently launched, is hard to fault. It now offers improved range, strong performance and an excellent ride. What makes it even more attractive is the pricing. Tata Motors has launched it at a starting price of Rs 10.3 lakh (on-road), which makes it an exceptional value and even more competitive than before.

The only real weakness of the Punch EV is the cramped back seat, which may not be ideal for regular family outings. If your daily 75km commute is the priority and your family can tolerate the tighter rear space occasionally, then you can go for the Punch EV without a second thought.

However, if cabin space is critical for you, then the MG Windsor EV is the better option. It has a far more spacious and comfortable cabin, making it better suited for family use, though it is not as nice to drive as the Punch EV.

If you do not want to wait any longer, going ahead with the Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AGS is a perfectly sensible decision for your usage. For mostly city driving with an occasional highway run once every few months, the Ignis fits the bill well. Its 1.2 litre four cylinder petrol engine is smoother and more responsive than the Punch’s motor, and the AMT calibration feels easy to live with in traffic. 

It has good space on the inside, has a comfortable ride quality and, being a Maruti Suzuki, offers a hassle-free ownership experience with low maintenance costs and wide service support.

One important point to keep in mind with the Ignis is safety. When tested by Global NCAP in 2022, it scored a one-star rating, so this is something you should be fully aware of before making a final decision.

If timely delivery, the Ignis Zeta AGS is a good buy. If safety rating and a more rugged feel are higher priorities and you are willing to wait, then sticking with the Tata Punch makes sense.

Given your query regarding BaaS (battery as a Service), we assume it's an EV that you are looking at. The best option within your budget is the Tata Punch EV, which is incidentally fresh from an update. Tata Motors has enhanced the powertrain for more range and faster charging. The Punch EV Adventure with the larger 40kWh is the pick for you. 

It's very smooth to drive in the city and has also got enough punch (pun intended) for highway drives. Also, the Punch EV is a tough car and boasts good safety (though a Bharat NCAP score for the latest one is awaited).  

Battery as a Service (BaaS) is a unique approach to ownership in which you pay for the car and 'rent' the battery. The option reduces the car's upfront cost greatly. But if you look at the fine print, you will find fees and fixed minimum payments for the battery that need to be made irrespective of your usage. For your limited running, BaaS might not be the best option.   

Since your running is about 20kms daily, we assume this is basically urban driving. Thus, you can consider an EV. However, make sure you have a provision to charge at home or your place of work, as relying completely on public charging is not convenient at all. 

Look at the Tata Punch EV, the car is compact and easy to manage in tight spaces, but is fairly spacious enough for a family of four. 

The new Punch is also now cheaper than the previous car and offers a larger range and more slightly more power from the motor. Since your driving is quite low, and if you do not plan on longer weekend or highway trips, opt for the smaller 30kWh battery unit.  

If you have the option to install an EV charger at your home or office or have easy access to EV charging, we'd suggest you go for the Tata Punch EV. It makes for a very good city car, with highlights being smoothness and refinement made possible by the EV powertrain. 

The Punch's relatively small size also makes it easier to drive and park, in case that's a consideration. The Punch EV 40kWh also has the power for your highway journeys. Also, you would need to work your route around the availability of chargers. 

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a larger car and makes more sense if rear seat space is a priority. It's a good city car with impressive ride comfort. However, the AMT gearbox will not deliver Punch EV-rivalling smoothness.