Tata Punch EV road test, review

We put Tata’s newest electric SUV through our instrumented tests to find out how it performs in the real world.

Published on May 17, 2024 12:00:00 PM

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It might seem like Tata has replicated the Nexon EV’s winning formula with the Punch, which is a quick swap of all the ICE mechanicals for the electric bits and fitting them into available vacant spaces. However, with the Punch, the ALFA platform that underpins it has undergone a comprehensive re-engineering. It isn’t all new of course, the top hat is largely the same, as is the track, wheelbase, the suspension mounting points and the suspension system itself. But with the monocoque’s floor completely redone to flatten it, and a new electronic and electric (e&e) architecture, Tata Motors has given it a new name calling it the Acti.ev architecture.

The EV’s centrally mounted battery pack has been integrated into the cabin floor, rather than bolting it underneath the body. As a result, its 190mm ground clearance is identical to the ICE version. With the ICE platform’s floor massively reengineered, it resulted in an increase in structural stiffness over its ICE counterpart too. That aside, the EV gets revised damping and stiffer springs, heavy-duty brake calipers, and the Long Range (LR) version also boasts of rear disc brakes to enhance stopping power and compensate for the EV’s added performance and weight.

The Punch EV gets a heavily restyled front end, which draws inspiration from the updated Nexon EV’s design. In fact, their front styling is so similar that when viewed head on, you could mistake one for the other. Sure, the Punch might have lost a bit of its individuality by adopting a family design face, but t here’s no denying that the Punch EV still commands attention, thanks to its striking new LED DRLs which flank the pilot lamp LED strip running across the bonnet. Tucked behind its blanked-out grille is its charging port, housed behind the Tata logo. It releases electrically via a switch on the centre console but has to be manually closed. An additional button on its key fob would have been much more convenient though.

While its side profile is similar to the outgoing car, thenew 16-inch dual-tone wheels sport a futuristic design. There are multiple EV badges scattered across the car and its tailgate has Punch.EV lettering spelt out. Dimensionally, the Punch EV is 30mm longer and 18mm taller than the ICE version, however, its width, front and rear track as well as its wheelbase, remain unchanged.