Tata Punch was first launched in 2021 and this compact SUV has recently received a major facelift in 2026. Currently, the Tata Punch is available with the 1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated petrol engine, 1.2-litre iTurbo petrol engine, and 1.2-litre petrol+CNG option that offers the highest mileage in its lineup. Hyundai Exter is another compact SUV that was first launched in 2023 and comes with 1.2-litre Kappa Petrol and a 1.2-litre Bi-Fuel CNG option. Again, the CNG variants offer the highest mileage in its lineup.
Both the cars do not come with a diesel engine. Though both Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter are fuel-efficient cars, car buyers should know their real-world mileage before making a decision. In this article, we have discussed the real-world mileage of Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter variants in-depth so that every buyer can go through these details before making a purchase decision.
Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter Specs
The key specifications of Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter are provided in the below table:
| Specification | Tata Punch | Hyundai Exter |
| Engine | 1.2-L Revotron Petrol1.2-L iTurbo Petrol1.2-L iCNG | 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine1.2-litre Petrol +CNG |
| Displacement | Petrol: 1199 cc CNG: 1199 cc | Petrol: 1197 cc CNG: 1197 cc |
| Power | Petrol: 88 PS – 120 PS (Turbo Petrol)CNG: 73.5 PS | Petrol: 83 bhpCNG: 69 PS |
| Torque | Petrol: 115 – 170 Nm (Turbo Petrol)CNG: 103 Nm | Petrol: 113.8 NmCNG: 95.2 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual transmission (MT)5-speed automatic transmission (AMT)6-speed manual (turbo petrol) | 5-speed manual transmission (MT)5-speed automatic transmission (AMT) |
| Drive layout | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Kerb weight | 1030 kg to 1143 kg (depending upon the variant) | 999 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | Petrol: 37 litres CNG: 60 litres (water equivalent) | Petrol: 37 litres CNG: 60 litres (water equivalent) |
Though Exter and Punch are similar in many aspects, Tata Punch generally creates more power and torque than Exter even when we compare their CNG variants. Also, its higher kerb weight may affect its overall mileage in real-world conditions.
Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: ARAI Mileage Figures
Automotive Research Association of India i.e. ARAI tests every vehicle for their mileage in India. The ARAI mileage figures always exceed the real-world mileage figures because ARAI tests them in lab-controlled conditions which are ideal for driving. However, we cannot expect such conditions in the real world due to which the mileage drops slightly. The below table contains the key details regarding the ARAI mileage figures of Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter for every powertrain:
| Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Tata Punch – ARAI Mileage (km/l) | Hyundai Exter – ARAI Mileage (km/l) |
| 1.2-litre NA Petrol – 5-Speed MT | Petrol | 20.09 km/l | 19.4 km/l |
| 1.2-litre NA Petrol – 5-Speed AMT | Petrol | 18.80 km/l | 19.2 km/l |
| 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol – 6-Speed MT | Petrol | Up to 20 km/l | – |
| 1.2-litre Petrol + CNG with 5-speed manual | Petrol + CNG | 26.99 km/kg | 27.1 km/kg |
| 1.2-litre Petrol + CNG with 5-speed automatic transmission | Petrol + CNG | 26.99 km/kg | – |
Hyundai Exter claims slightly higher mileage with the CNG and 1.2-litre NA petrol with automatic transmission. However, Tata Punch claims a better mileage with 1.2-litre NA petrol with manual transmission and its turbo petrol also claims a slightly higher mileage. Hyundai Exter does not provide a turbo petrol variant and it does not offer the automatic transmission with the CNG variants. Therefore, we cannot compare these two cars in these specific powertrain configurations.
Also Read: Complete Buying Guide: Tata Punch
Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: Real-World Mileage
The real-world mileage depends on various factors like design, drag co-efficient, engine tuning, and features. For instance, cars with auto start/stop function during car idling tend to save some fuel, especially in the heavy traffic scenarios. On the other hand, the aerodynamic design, lighter kerb weight, and lower drag co-efficient leads to higher mileage in the real-world driving conditions. Now, let’s see how the real-world mileage of Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter stand next to each other:
| Tata Punch (1.2-litre NA Petrol) | Hyundai Exter (1.2-litre NA Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 13.50 km/lAutomatic: 12.5 km/l | Manual: 12.5 km/lAutomatic: 13 km/l |
| Highway | Manual: 18 km/lAutomatic: 17.6 km/l | Manual: 18 km/lAutomatic: 18.5 km/l |
| Average | Manual: 15.75 km/lAutomatic: 15 km/l | Manual: 15.25 km/lAutomatic: 15.75 km/l |
| Tank range | 550 km | 540 km |
| Tata Punch (1.2-litre Turbo Petrol) | Hyundai Exter (1.2-litre Turbo Petrol) | |
| City | Manual: 12 km/l | – |
| Highway | Manual: 17 km/l | – |
| Average | Manual: 14.50 km/l | – |
| Tank range | 455 km | – |
| Tata Punch CNG | Hyundai Exter CNG | |
| City | Manual: 22 km/kgAutomatic: 21 km.kg | Manual: 22 km/kg |
| Highway | Manual: 26 km/kgAutomatic: 25 km/kg | Manual: 30 km/kg |
| Average | Manual: 24 km/kgAutomatic: 23 km/kg | Manual: 26 km/l |
| Tank range | 240 km per fill | 300 km per fill |
In the CNG variants, Hyundai Exter proves to be more fuel-efficient. In the 1.2-litre NA petrol variants, the Punch models with the manual transmission offer slightly better mileage than Exter manual models. However, the Exter automatic models prove to be slightly more fuel-efficient than the automatic models of Punch. The turbo petrol variants of Punch offer slightly less mileage than its NA petrol variants.
If we compare these real-world mileage figures, Tata Punch petrol models seem to be more fuel-efficient than Exter petrol models. On the other hand, the Exter CNG models offer slightly better mileage and range than the Punch CNG variants. Therefore, we cannot judge any one of them as the clear winner in the department of mileage.
Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: Fuel-Cost Comparison
Now, let’s use the above mentioned real-world mileage figures to calculate the actual periodic fuel costs of both these cars. For the sake of calculation, we will assume that both Punch and Exter run 1500 km every month. The latest petrol prices of Rs. 111.52, CNG rates of Rs. 97.40, and diesel prices of Rs. 98.15 recorded in the month of August are used while calculating the final fuel costs:
| Punch 1.2-NA Petrol | Exter 1.2-NA Petrol | Punch 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol | Exter Turbo Petrol (NA) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 98 L | 97 L | 103 L | – |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 10,929 | ₹10,817 | ₹ 11,486 | – |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 1.31 lakh | ₹ 1.29 lakh | ₹ 1.37 lakh | – |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 6.55 lakh | ₹ 6.45 lakh | ₹ 6.85 lakh | – |
| Punch CNG | Exter CNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Running | 1500 km | 1500 km |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 64 kg | 58 kg |
| Average Monthly Fuel Cost | ₹ 6240 | ₹ 5655 |
| Average Yearly Fuel Cost | ₹ 74,880 | ₹ 67,860 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ₹ 3.74 lakh | ₹ 3.39 lakh |
The periodic fuel costs associated with Hyundai Exter CNG models are significantly lesser than the periodic fuel costs associated with Punch CNG cars. When it comes to the 1.2-litre NA petrol, the Hyundai Exter seems to be a more budget-friendly option. Among the petrol variants, the turbo petrol models of Tata Punch cost more than the NA petrol variants. Surprisingly, Exter proves to be a clear winner as far as the fuel costs are concerned.
Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter Price
The ex-showroom prices of Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter from base to top models have been specified below:
| Model | Variant (Base to Top) | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
| Tata Punch | Smart Petrol to Accomplished Plus S CNG AMT | ₹ 5.70 to ₹ 10.24 lakh |
| Hyundai Exter | EX to SX Opt Connect Knight DT AMT | ₹ 5.49 to ₹ 9.61 lakh |
When we compare the base to top models of Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch on the basis of their ex-showroom prices, we find that the Exter models are priced slightly lower than the Punch models.
Summary
Both Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter are fuel-efficient cars in the segment of compact SUVs. However, Hyundai Exter proves to be a slightly better option as far as fuel-efficiency is concerned. If you want a car for daily driving requirements within the boundaries of your city, Hyundai Exter variants can prove to be a great option because of their higher fuel-efficiency. When it comes to highway driving, the turbo petrol variants of Punch prove to be better because of their higher power and torque figures that facilitate quick overtakes. However, if you want a compact SUV for highway driving that also delivers high mileage you can pick the NA petrol variants of either Punch or Exter as both offer similar real-world mileage on the highways. Yet, Punch stands out here as well because of its quicker and greater power delivery.
Also Read: Should you Buy a used Hyundai Exter
FAQs
Q. Which car should I opt for city driving: Punch or Exter?
Exter is a better option for city driving because its 4-cylinder petrol engine delivers a smooth and noise-free ride-quality than the 3-cylinder petrol engine of Punch.
Q. Which car is better for driving on ghats: Hyundai Exter or Tata Punch?
Tata Punch is more preferable for driving in the ghats because of its cornering stability, higher torque, and more powerful engine. Its build-quality is also tougher than of Exter’s which makes it a better option on challenging roads.
Q. How much mileage do the automatic petrol variants of Hyundai Exter deliver on the highway?
The automatic petrol variants of Hyundai Exter deliver a mileage of up to 18.5 km/l while driving on the highway.
Q. How much mileage do the manual variants of Tata Punch deliver in the city?
The manual variants with the turbo petrol engine deliver a mileage of up to 12 km/l in the city whereas the manual variants with the NA petrol engine deliver a mileage of up to 13.5 km/l in the city.
Q. Which CNG variant offers better real-world range from Punch and Exter?
Owing to its higher fuel-efficiency, the Exter CNG delivers better real-world range than the Punch CNG cars.
