The Tata Punch was recently spotted testing, giving us our first look at the upcoming facelift of the micro SUV. However, the launch is now happening in Jan 2026.
Although the test mule is completely camouflaged, the dashboard is naturally borrowed from the Punch EV – it has the same roofline, similar split headlight arrangement and Even the front bumper looks very similar. This also brings it in line with the family styling seen on the Nexon, Harrier and larger Safari.However, the Punch facelift is likely to be as different from the EV as the Nexon is from its EV counterpart – the ICE-powered Punch will likely not have a full-width LED light bar at the front and may get details new front bumper. However, in terms of shape and rear, there don’t appear to be any major changes, other than a new design for the alloy wheels.
On the inside too, the Punch facelift is expected to borrow updates from the Punch EV, but Tata Motors had previously said that the two models will have a distinct equipment list, just like the twins Nexon. For example, the Nexon EV has a larger touchscreen, Arcade.ev app suite, electronic parking brake, disc brakes on all wheels, welcome and farewell animations with LED DRLs front and OTA updates compared to the standard Nexon. The same trend could also be seen on the Punch twins, meaning the electric car will likely still be better equipped.
The Tata Punch facelift will remain mechanically unchanged. Under the skin, the Punch will remain similar to the current model. It will continue to be equipped with a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated 3-cylinder gasoline engine, generating 86 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque, and combined with a 5-speed manual transmission. level or AMT. Punch is also available in CNG version where it produces 73.The CNG version is currently only available with a 5-speed manual transmission, but the AMT could be equipped with this gearbox possibly. The AMT on CNG was introduced on the Tiago and Tigor CNG models.
The Punch was the first micro SUV to launch this segment in 2021, but since then the Hyundai Exter and Citroën C3 have also entered the space. It has emerged as the king of the segment by a long shot. The Citroen C3X has been updated heavily which makes it better than the Exter. However, is it good than the already impressive Punch? The new updates will take it further with more engine options and EV variant which is said to be coming from both rivals in a year or two. The Punch, already based on the new platform to get updates, is a sign of something big incoming.
