Punch has carved a dominant place for itself within the micro SUV phase, however does the Exter have sufficient to problem it?
Having carved a distinct segment throughout the sub-4-metre compact SUV phase, the Tata Punch has made fairly an impression on the gross sales charts. With its SUV-esque styling and intelligent packaging, it has grow to be Tata Motors’ second-bestselling automobile (after the Nexon).
Hyundai now desires in on the motion too and has launched the Exter to seize a share of the Punch’s pie. With six airbags as commonplace, ESP (non-compulsory) from the bottom variant, and full of fashionable niceties, the Exter is well-armed to tackle the Tata, and prospects have already taken discover. The automobile hit a milestone of fifty,000 bookings inside a month of its launch, nevertheless it has additionally persuaded Tata to introduce extra tools within the Punch (like a sunroof), to defend its place. We pit the AMT variants of those two sub-compact SUVs to search out out which one deserves your cash.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: efficiency
Proper off the bat, the Exter’s 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine impresses with its smoothness and refinement. Attributable to its linear energy supply and freer-revving nature, it delivers easy efficiency. And complementing it’s a smooth-shifting 5-speed automated handbook transmission. What’s distinctive is that in contrast to standard AMTs, Hyundai has deployed electrical actuators to carry out gear shift duties slightly than hydraulic actuators, and consequently, shifts are comparatively seamless. Though sluggish, they move easily into one another.
In order for you efficiency, it’s the Exter that packs in a Punch.
This gearbox can also be properly reactive to inputs, and it additionally doesn’t hesitate to carry excessive revs serving to you extract the very best out of this petrol engine. Those that get pleasure from driving will significantly admire the presence of paddle-shifters, for better management over the transmission and a better diploma of engagement. Appreciably, even in handbook mode, when you overlook to upshift or downshift, the AMT will do it for you.
Being a three-cylinder unit, Tata’s 1.2-litre has a rougher idle and emits some vibrations into the cabin. Positive, these smoothen on the transfer, however there is no such thing as a getting away from the gravely engine be aware and its louder thrum at greater revs. On the plus facet, the Punch’s engine makes extra energy, and in addition feels extra responsive and stronger decrease down the rev vary. Deliver the 5-speed AMT into the equation, and issues are vastly completely different. The transmission is tuned for effectivity, so upshifts are early, and downshifts are conservative too. Even the pause between gearshifts is extra pronounced. Thus, total efficiency is lacklustre leading to unimpressive acceleration occasions.
Punch AMT’s brake locking differential can assist in sticky conditions.
In our instrumented acceleration exams, the Exter AMT sprints from 0-100kph in 15.59 seconds, practically 4.5 seconds faster than the Punch AMT. Even the Hyundai’s rolling acceleration occasions from 20-80kph and 40-100kph are round 2 and three.5 seconds faster, respectively.
In our earlier experiences, we’ve had solely praises for the best way Tata tuned the Punch’s suspension, which not solely exudes an underlying toughness, however will get the steadiness between experience and dealing with spot on. Seen again to again, the Punch’s stiffer suspension shines, the Tata feels comparatively extra planted and sure-footed at speeds, and its dealing with feels sharper too. Expectedly although, a trade-off to its wonderful high-speed manners is that at metropolis speeds, experience high quality is agency and it feels a bit jittery over unhealthy roads.
Then again, the Exter’s softly setup suspension is tuned for consolation, so it swallows street shocks and absorbs bumps very properly. And whereas it feels comfier within the metropolis, on the freeway, the Exter pitches and bobs extra. One other level of distinction between them is their brake pedal really feel – whereas stopping efficiency is comparable, the Exter’s really feel extra pure, whereas the Tata’s are a bit too sharp and take some getting used to.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: exterior design
Measuring 3.8m in size, these vehicles are shorter than most sub-4m compact SUVs, therefore they’re categorised as sub-compact SUVs. What’s attention-grabbing is that they’re fairly comparable in each dimension, and their wheelbase can also be inside millimetres of one another, as is their floor clearance, with the Exter’s being 185mm and the Punch’s being 187mm.
Dimensionally, they’re smaller than the common crop of sub-4m SUVs.
The Exter is predicated on the Grand i10 Nios, however there’s nothing that visually hyperlinks ties to its hatchback counterpart, on the skin at the very least. Hyundai has performed properly to present it the much-needed ‘SUV’ aptitude; so its bonnet has been flattened, its stance has been elevated and it additionally sports activities chunky physique cladding and roof rails. And sporting a snazzy design language with distinctive parts equivalent to H-patterned DRLs, multi-dimensional panels (on the entrance grille, C-pillar and boot) and exaggerated haunches, the Exter has rather a lot going for it.
The Punch isn’t primarily based on a earlier automobile and is underpinned by the ALFA platform. The automobile is a well-proportioned, good-looking one which strikes some resemblance to the Harrier when considered head-on. As well as, its bigger 16-inch alloys and comparatively cleaner bodywork add to its attraction.
Each Exter and Punch get their very own distinctive ‘SUV’ styling parts.
One other speaking level is the Punch’s good efficiency in World NCAP exams in 2021, the place it secured 5 stars for crash security. Whereas the Exter hasn’t been crash examined, Hyundai claims to have strengthened the construction over the Nios, which was awarded 2 stars by World NCAP in 2020. Hyundai is assured now that its stronger construction and security options like six airbags and ESP will equate to a decent crash security rating.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: inside, seating
In distinction to its snazzy exteriors, the Exter’s cabin is acquainted to the Grand i10 and is monotone in shade. Thus, it feels a bit drab. Hyundai has cleverly positioned the seats low to liberate a sense of area inside, and its sunroof performs an enormous function to brighten up this area. However the speaking level is undoubtedly the standard of bits and fit-finish on the within, and that units a benchmark on this phase; even the knobs, buttons and stalks function with nice finesse.
Units a phase benchmark for high quality and fit-finish, however all-black color seems a bit boring.
Ergonomics are friendlier than the Tata’s and whereas its entrance seats are snug, these with bigger frames may discover them a bit missing by way of bolstering and help. Just like the entrance, even its rear seat is lower-set, so it is a automobile that you simply sit inside, and never stroll into, just like the Punch (extra on that later). Area on the rear is ample for 2 adults, and the backrest is properly angled. Rear AC vents add to passenger consolation, however a rear armrest is lacking.
Exter’s angled seat could be very cozy; misses rear armrest.
The Punch’s doorways open 90 levels and its seats are higher-set than the Exter’s, which eases ingress-egress. What additionally makes a optimistic impression is the cabin’s vibrancy and airiness due to the white fascia on the layered dashboard, in addition to a splash of physique color round its air vents. You’re sat in a extra ‘SUV’ place with the bonnet in your field of regard, and even its entrance seats are broader and extra accommodating than the Hyundai’s.
Layered sprint with splashes of color seems vibrant and feels welcoming.
In its newest iteration, Tata has additionally launched Land Rover-like armrests for the entrance seats, to boost seat consolation. On the again, you’re seated in a really chair-like place, with the backrest that’s comparatively extra upright. Whereas area is comparable with the Hyundai, the Tata will get a centre armrest, though it lacks rear AC vents. Whereas on paper, the Tata’s boot is way smaller than the Exter’s, and although it isn’t as deep, usable baggage area is kind of comparable.
Chair-like, excessive seat is less complicated to get out and in.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: options
Each the Exter and Punch boast of options like a sunroof, computerized local weather management, reverse digicam, cruise management and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, among the many notable ones. The Punch will get bigger 16-inch wheels (versus the Exter’s 15-inch), great-sounding Harman audio system, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and a intelligent Traction Professional characteristic (brake locking differential) to drag you out of some sticky conditions.
Clockwise from left: bigger touchscreen on Exter is slicker to make use of; Display on Punch is smaller, however sound high quality is healthier; Paddles are fast to reply and enjoyable to make use of on Exter; New entrance armrests on Punch add to seat consolation.
Then again, the Exter will get six airbags throughout the vary, ESP in addition to fashionable niceties like a bigger and slicker 8-inch touchscreen (versus Punch’s 7-inch), sprint digicam, digital instrument cluster, wi-fi charging and rear air-con vents.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: verdict
The Tata Punch has its strengths: it seems good, drives confidently, and, on account of its elevated seating, it’s the more sensible choice for the aged.
Nevertheless, in each different manner, the Hyundai Exter is healthier than the Tata. Its engine is extra refined, efficiency is stronger, gearbox is smoother, and area and practicality are marginally higher. And, typical to a Hyundai, it’s well-equipped and packs in lots of fashionable niceties that the Punch misses. With a lot going for the Hyundai Exter, it wins this comparability fairly convincingly.