Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Limited (TMPV) on Tuesday launched the 2026 Tata Punch, with prices starting at ₹5.59 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Punch, which was first launched in 2021 and is closing on 7 lakh units in cumulative sales since its launch in 2021, places it among Tata Motors’ most successful nameplates. It mirrors the scale achieved by the Tiago, which has also sold nearly 7 lakh units, highlighting Tata Motors’ strength in high-volume segments. The Punch was the highest-selling model in 2024.

At the launch of the updated Punch, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Managing Director Shailesh Chandra said the refreshed model is aimed at further strengthening the company’s presence in the subcompact SUV segment, rather than simply extending the product’s lifecycle.

“For us, the Punch was always about answering a simple question, 'Why should compact ever mean compromise?'” Chandra said, adding that the new iteration has been developed to deliver the confidence of a true SUV in a footprint that works for everyday Indian driving conditions.

Chandra emphasised that the Punch is expected to perform everywhere — from congested city roads to highways and steep inclines. “When the road asks more of you, the car should respond without hesitation. That confidence is what defines a real SUV,” he said.

Performance and convenience

Performance and convenience upgrades are central to Tata Motors’ expectations from the new Punch. The introduction of a turbo-petrol engine and an automatic transmission with paddle shifters is aimed at offering flexibility for both relaxed urban driving and more demanding highway use.

“Modern SUV ownership is as much about ease and intelligence as it is about capability,” Chandra noted, pointing to features such as a 360-degree surround view system and larger infotainment displays as additions that simplify everyday driving. According to him, these new features take away the stress of external factors and focus more on the road to ensure better driving experience.

CNG version

Tata Motors, keeping true to its mass appeal, also introduced India's first CNG version with a 5-speed automatic transmission. "Our growth has been built on the strength of a wide, well-balanced portfolio that serves customers across segments, powertrains and life stages," Chandra said, highlighting the need to have CNG variants.

Safety, however, remains the foundation of the Punch’s positioning. Chandra stressed that compact SUVs often serve as the only car in Indian households. “These are the cars that carry families every day, often surrounded by much larger vehicles on the road. That responsibility cannot come with compromise,” he said. The Punch’s 5-star safety rating, he added, reinforces Tata Motors’ belief that affordability and safety must coexist.

Tata EVs

He placed the Punch within TMPV’s broader growth narrative, noting that over 2.5 lakh Tata EVs are now on Indian roads, with the Nexon EV having crossed 1 lakh units sold while the Nexon model itself has sold around a million units, making Tata Motors stand as India's second-largest automaker.

"2025 has been truly action-packed for Tata Motors, a year defined by momentum, by scale and by belief. We had a lot of new products that we introduced throughout the year. We introduced the new Altroz, we strengthened our EV leadership with the Harrier EV, India's most powerful home-grown SUV. We brought back a legend with the new Sierra," Chandra added.

New Tata Punch

Why should compact mean compromise? Tata Motors raises the bar with new Punch