The Tata Punch has redefined the compact SUV category in India and has been a huge hit due to its aggressive styling, five-star safety, and authoritative road presence. Other than its tough looks, another factor contributing to the popularity of the Tata Punch has been the diverse range of powertrain offerings, appealing to a varying range of buyers. From the traditional petrol powertrain to the path-breaking CNG twin-cylinder technology and an advanced electric offering, Tata Punch has something to appeal to everyone. But with so many choices, the biggest dilemma faced by prospective owners is: what’s the real world Tata Punch mileage of each offering, and which of them financially makes the most sense?
This in-depth 2025 guide has been developed to guide you through this complicated choice. We go behind the official figures to give an unbiased, data-backed examination of the true-world fuel economy, or range, of each model. We examine the cost of ownership over a long period of time, the premium purchase price, and the realistic advantages and disadvantages of each powertrain. Whatever your finances, whatever way you commute, and however green you are, this guide will enable you to select the ideal Tata Punch for you and your lifestyle.
Understanding the Three Powertrains
The Punch’s strength lies in its ability to offer three completely different technologies under one nameplate.
1.2-litre Revotron Petrol
This is the base engine of the Punch, a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine. It’s a tried and tested engine offering a fine balance of performance and mileage for a small car like this. It comes with both a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), so buyers have a choice of how they drive — either in the city or on the highways — and they won’t feel let down.
1.2-litre iCNG
The Punch iCNG has the same 1.2L petrol engine but has a factory-fit CNG kit. Tata’s clever “twin-cylinder” technology catches the eye here, as two small CNG cylinders are fitted underneath the boot floor. Cleverly, this tackles the biggest disadvantage of CNG vehicles—lack of boot space—by freeing up much of the trunk. The iCNG variant of the vehicle is a dual-fuel vehicle, as such running on CNG and petrol, and offers tremendous range and flexibility. It has only a single trim level and comes only with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Punch EV (Electric)
The Punch EV is a departure from anything we have seen from the ICE variants of the product. It has a new Gen 2 EV platform, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, and a robust battery pack. The Punch EV has two battery variants available: a Medium Range (MR) model with a 25 kWh battery and a Long Range (LR) model with a 35 kWh battery pack. This is an emission-free product that has instant torque and provides a silent, smooth drive feel.
Official vs. Real-World Mileage (as of 2025)
The ARAI-claimed figures for the petrol and CNG variants are a standardized benchmark. For the EV, the figures are a “claimed range” under Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC) conditions.
- Petrol Manual: 20.09 km/l
- Petrol AMT: 18.80 km/l
- CNG Manual: 26.99 km/kg
- Punch EV (MR): 315 km (claimed range)
- Punch EV (LR): 421 km (claimed range)
While these numbers provide a baseline, real-world performance is where the true story unfolds.
Petrol (Manual & AMT):
- City: For urban traffic, the petrol Punch has an average of 13-15 km/l. The underpowering of the three-cylinder engine is apparent at times and revving to maintain traffic flow impacts the mileage.
- Highway: On open roads, a relaxed driving style can yield 17-19 km/l. The petrol Punch is a decent highway cruiser, but its mileage is sensitive to aggressive acceleration.
- Combined Average: A realistic average Punch petrol mileage is around 15 km/l.
iCNG (Manual):
- City: CNG variant city mileage is always impressive, and owners have recorded 20-22 km/kg. The power output of the engine on CNG comes down slightly, but even then, it suffices for city traffic nicely.
- Highway: On highways, the iCNG can stretch to an excellent 24-26 km/kg. The fuel is cheaper, and the car holds its efficiency well on long trips.
- Combined Average: A realistic average Punch CNG mileage is around 22 km/kg.
Punch EV (MR & LR):
- Real-World Range: Specified ranges of EVs are famously optimistic. The actual-world range of the Punch EV largely depends on driver behavior, air-conditioning usage, and road topography. The MR model (25 kW battery pack) generally offers an actual-world range of 200-240 km, and the LR model (35 kW battery pack) can achieve 280-320 km on a single charge. This is easily sufficient for the majority of everyday commutes and even a short weekend getaway.
Financial Breakdown: Cost per Km and Break-Even Analysis
The most crucial part of the comparison is the long-term running cost and the initial investment. Let’s use approximate mid-2025 fuel prices and electricity costs in Delhi for our calculations.
- Fuel Prices:
- Petrol: ₹94.72/liter
- CNG: ₹76.59/kg
- Electricity: ₹8/kWh (home charging)
- Cost per Km (Based on Real-World Averages):
- Petrol Manual: ₹94.77/ 16 km/l = ₹6.31/km
- CNG Manual: ₹76.09 / 20.7 km/kg = ₹3.48/km
- Punch EV (MR): (25 kWh * ₹8/kWh) / 200 km = ₹0.63/km
- Punch EV (LR): (35 kWh * ₹8/kWh) / 280 km = ₹0.66/km
In the running cost comparison, it’s astonishing. The cheapest of them all is the Punch EV, with a running cost that is one-sixth of the petrol variant. The CNG variant is a very good middle-of-the-road offering with tremendous cost savings vis-à-vis petrol.
Regarding the ex-showroom cost of buying, the CNG and EV variants incur an additional cost compared to the petrol version.
- Price Premium (Ex-showroom, approximate):
- CNG vs. Petrol: Approximately ₹1.30 lakh higher.
- EV (MR) vs. Petrol (top-spec): Approximately ₹0.27 lakh higher.
- EV (LR) vs. Petrol (top-spec): Approximately ₹3.12 lakh higher.
This leads us to the break-even analysis:
- CNG vs. Petrol:
- Price Gap: ₹1.30 lakh
- Savings per km: ₹2.63
- Kilometers to Break Even: ~49,430 km. This is achievable for a high-mileage driver in under three years.
- EV (MR) vs. Petrol:
- Price Gap: ₹0.27 lakh (mid-range variants)
- Savings per km: ₹5.68/km
- Kilometers to Break Even: ~55,200 km. This is also a very achievable number for a daily commuter.
This shows that both the CNG and EV variants, despite their higher initial cost, have a very practical and achievable break-even point.
Performance, Practicality, and the Driving Experience
Petrol
1.2L petrol engine delivers 87bhp and 115 Nm of torque. It suffices in city life but may feel strained on highways, particularly under a complete load. The AMT variant, though handy, does register a head-nod effect during shifts. The best feature remains the spacious 366-litre boot area.
CNG
Power delivery of the engine reduces to 72bhp and 103 Nm on CNG. This means performance takes a hit. It does the job in city life but demands caution for overtaking on highways. The twin-cylinder technology is revolutionary, delivering a respectable boot space of about 210 litres, significantly better than previous CNG vehicles.
Electric
The Punch EV is an altogether different animal. It has instant torque (114 Nm for MR, 190 Nm for LR) from the get-go thanks to the electric motor. This results in a whisper-quiet, effortless, and zippy urban drive. The LR model’s 120.69bhp makes it an absolute pocket rocket. Boot space is a decent 366 litres, as the battery resides under the floor.
The Verdict: Which Punch is for You?
For the Budget-Focused First-Time Buyer:
- Best Pick: Tata Punch Petrol.
- Why: If your primary concerns are a low initial price and a simple, hassle-free ownership experience with moderate usage, the petrol variant is the most sensible choice.
For the Daily Commuter with High Mileage:
- Best Pick: Tata Punch iCNG.
- Why: In case you have to drive extensive distances regularly, then the CNG model provides the ideal combination of economical running expenses, sensible boot space, and convenience of dual-fuel ability. You’ll make huge reductions in your monthly petrol bill.
For the Eco-Conscious, Tech-Savvy Driver:
- Best Pick: Tata Punch EV.
- Why: The EV is the undisputed victor, if the cheapest running expenses, silent and rapid acceleration, and an abundance of contemporary facilities are desired. Its real-world economy is adequate for city and town work, with a remarkably fast break-even time.
In short, your dream Tata Punch hinges on what matters most to you. The cheapest entry-level model is the petrol model. The CNG model makes good business sense in the long run for heavy users. The EV is a progressive choice with a better drive and unrivaled cost of running.
FAQs about Tata Punch
Q. What is the real-world range of the Punch EV?
The Medium Range variant offers ~315 km, and the Long Range variant offers ~421 km, depending on conditions.
Q. Does the CNG variant have boot space?
Yes, thanks to Tata’s twin-cylinder technology, the Punch iCNG retains a usable boot space of around 210 liters.
Q. How big is the performance difference between Petrol and CNG?
The CNG variant has a noticeable drop in power and torque, which is most felt during highway overtakes. For city driving, the difference is less significant.
Q. Which variant is cheapest to run per kilometer?
The Punch EV is the cheapest, with a running cost of under ₹1 per km when charged at home.
