2021 Tata Punch review, road test

Tata has nailed the Punch’s ride and handling balance. There’s an underlying toughness to its suspension, which shines while tackling rough and bad sections of road. It flattens road imperfections with a sense of maturity like a much heavier car, and its stability at high speeds is excellent. The steering of the Punch is light, consistent and accurate, and not overtly sharp like the Altroz’s unit. Its taut structure, light kerb weight and wonderful steering feel make it quite enjoyable around corners. And while driving enthusiasts will be left longing for stronger engine performance, a majority of owners will be satisfied with its overall packaging. Its brakes feel natural and progressive, and its braking performance is very confidence-inspiring.

Make no mistake though, while the Punch is certainly more capable than other hatchbacks at this price due to the Traction Pro feature (AMT), its raised ride height and tall stature, it is still a front-wheel-drive car and, hence, it must not be subjected to conditions meant for four-wheel-drive vehicles.