Soon after the facelift of the Tata Punch, the Hyundai Exter also received its first facelift since its launch. Both micro-SUVs sit in the entry level market which offer their buyers the butch and rugged styling of a big SUV in a compact and city friendly footprint.
If you are planning to buy either of these small SUVs, then you must know how much they differ in size, powertrain, and list of features. So to help you choose between them, here is a detailed comparison:
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: Price
Ex-showroom Price | |
Hyundai Exter | Tata Punch |
Rs 5.80 lakh to Rs 9.57 lakh | 5.60 lakh to Rs 10.55 lakh |
Both the Exter and the Punch fall in the same price bracket, however, the Punch has a slightly lower asking price for its base-spec variant.
On the other hand, the top-spec Exter is affordable than the top-spec Punch by almost Rs 1 lakh.
Let's see if the Punch justifies this premium in its dimensions, which has been detailed below.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: Dimensions
Spedifications | Hyundai Exter | Tata Punch | Difference |
Length | 3,830 mm | 3,876 mm | (-46 mm) |
Width | 1,723 mm | 1,742 mm | (-19 mm) |
Height | 1,643 mm | 1,615 mm | + 28 mm |
Wheelbase | 2,450 mm | 2,445 mm | + 5 mm |
Boot Space | 391 litres | 366 litres | + 25 litres |
In terms of length and width, the Tata Punch is ahead of the Exter and it shows in the road presence.
The additional width does make for more shoulder room for rear passengers, however, since the wheelbase is more or less the same, the legroom, kneeroom, and footroom remains similar.
Also, the additional boot space available in the Exter can swallow in an extra one or two small laptop bags or shopping bags.
Check out how the 2026 Hyundai Exter is compared to the pre-facelift version.
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: Powertrains
Specifications | Hyundai Exter | Tata Punch | |||
Engine | 1.2-litre NA Petrol | 1.2-litre NA Petrol + CNG | 1.2-litre NA Petrol | 1.2-litre NA Petrol + CNG | 1.2-litre Turbo-petrol |
Power | 83 PS | 69 PS | 87.8 PS | 73.4 PS | 120 PS |
Torque | 114 Nm | 95 Nm | 115 Nm | 103 Nm | 170 Nm |
Transmission | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT | 6-speed MT |
MT- Manual Transmission, AMT- Automated Manual Transmission
This is where the high price of the Punch gets justified.
Both micro SUVs come with 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines that offer relaxed driving experiences.
These engines get both manual and AMT options along with factory-fitted dual-cylinder CNG kits.
However, it is only the Punch which offers an AMT with its CNG powertrain, making drives more convenient for CNG buyers.
The Punch also comes with a powerful turbo-petrol engine that gives this small SUV a fun-to-drive setup.
However, there is no automatic available with this engine and it is offered with only a 6-speed manual transmission.
Opinion: Even though the Punch makes slightly more power, it is the Hyundai's four-cylinder motor that feels smoother and more refined. |
Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch: Features
Feature | Hyundai Exter | Tata Punch |
Auto Headlamps | ✅(Halogen Projector) | ✅(LED) |
LED foglamps | ❌ | ✅ (With Cornering Function) |
LED Taillamps | ✅ | ✅(connected) |
Wheels | 15-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
Roof Rails | ✅ | ✅ |
Height-adjustable Driver Seat | ✅ | ✅ |
Ambient Lighting | ❌ | ✅ |
Infotainment Setup | 8-inch touchscreen | 10.25-inch touchscreen |
Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | ✅ (With Wired To Wireless Adapter) | ✅ |
Instrument Cluster | 7-inch Semi-digital | 7-inch digital |
Wireless Phone Charger | ✅ | ✅ |
Sound system | 4-speaker Sound System | 8-speaker Sound System |
Auto-dimming IRVM | ✅ | ✅ |
Cruise Control | ✅ | ✅ |
Climate Control | Automatic Climate Control | Automatic Climate Control |
Keyless entry with push-button start/stop | ✅ | ✅ |
Sunroof | Single Pane | Single Pane |
Rear-centre Armrest | ❌ | ✅ |
Paddle Shifters | ✅ | ✅ |
Multi-drive Modes | ❌ | ✅ |
Cooled Glovebox | ✅ | ✅ |
Connected Car Tech | ✅ | ✅ |
Airbags | 6 | 6 |
360-degree Camera | ❌ | ✅ |
ESC (electronic stability control) | ✅ | ✅ |
Hill Descent Control | ❌ | ✅ |
Hill Start Assist | ✅ | ✅ |
Rain Sensing Wipers | ❌ | ✅ |
Rear defogger | ✅ | ✅ |
TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) | ✅ | ✅ |
In terms of features, the Punch does have more to offer, and that's fair considering its higher top-spec price.
It gets a bigger touchscreen, ambient lighting, and more speakers for a better experience.
It also comes with a better driver's display, a 360-degree camera, multiple drive modes, a rear centre armrest, and LED headlamps.
The Exter does not miss out on anything major, but the additional features in the Punch does make it more appealing.
CarDekho Says
The new Hyundai Exter is a nice looking micro-SUV which does give you the feel of a proper SUV with its design. It feels premium enough on the inside and has all the features you need for your daily commutes. For someone looking for a small yet premium-feeling city commuter, the Hyundai Exter is a great option.
However, if in this package, you want a sleeker and tougher-looking design, a better feature list which can rival the segment above, and the exciting performance that comes with a turbo-petrol engine, then the Tata Punch is your only option, and you should consider it.
To know more about what has changed with the new Exter, we have also compared it with the pre-facelift version here.