2026 has been quite an eventful year for Tata Motors, even though we’re still in February. Sierra went on sale and the company also launched facelifts of both the Punch ICE and Punch EV. The new Punch EV facelift was launched in Mumbai yesterday and it includes extensive updates under the skin and some cosmetic updates.
A first for Tata Motors, the Punch EV comes with a BaaS (battery as a service) pricing model, bringing down the initial purchase price, which starts at Rs 6.49 lakh + Rs 2.6/km. In this post, we will compare the new Tata Punch EV with its immediate rivals and see how it performs on paper.
New Tata Punch EV vs rivals
Without BaaS, prices start at Rs 9.69 lakh (ex-sh, introductory), which is Rs 30,000 less than the 25 kWh battery offered for the larger 30 kWh battery. If we look at the pricing table above, we can see the price: range ratio, which is highest with the Punch EV. With immediate rivals like the Mahindra XUV3XO EV and the Citroen eC3, we can see how the Punch EV fares.
Even if we compare it with the MG Comet EV, the Punch EV offers a lower battery rental price, while it is not that much more expensive (BaaS and regular). The Punch EV matches its rivals in size, but the 2,600 mm longer wheelbase on the XUV3XO EV is still unmatched. The Punch EV is the tallest of the bunch and has the largest boot on paper at 366L.
The XUV3XO EV is the widest, with the largest 17-inch wheels and the widest tires at 215-section. It is the Citroen eC3 that offers the smallest battery pack and lowest range in this comparison, but it still starts at Rs 12.9 lakh, which is about Rs 3.3 lakh more than the Punch EV. As far as performance is concerned, the Mahindra XUV3XO is on top with its 148 bhp and 310 Nm.
It should be noted that the XUV3XO EV offers a 7.2kW AC charger as standard. The Punch EV offers it as an option, while the Citroen does not offer it at all. With the Punch EV, Tata has increased the DC charging to 65 kW, which can cover a range of 135 km in just 15 minutes. All three cars get driving modes that can alter the performance. The Punch EV does 0-100 km/h in under 9 seconds and with the XUV3XO EV it is 8.3 seconds.
Range, Battery Warranty, Features
The new Tata Punch EV facelift gets lifetime battery warranty for unlimited km for the 40 kWh variant, which is a first in the segment. This promises peace of mind to buyers and is a commendable move by Tata Motors. In a cost-cutting move, the company has replaced the rear disc brake with a drum brake in the Punch EV LR. The XUV3XO EV offers a rear disc brake.
As far as features are concerned, the 2026 Tata Punch facelift remains the same as before. Notable upgrades include new power window switches as well as ORVM controls on the door pads and high-beam assist. The Citroen eC3 is significantly less equipped compared to the Punch EV and especially the XUV3XO EV. It is worth noting that only the XUV3XO EV gets level-2 ADAS, panoramic sunroof and dual zone climate control.