The Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) has released the crash test results for the updated Tata Punch, awarding the compact SUV a five-star safety rating. This independent evaluation confirms high protection levels for both adult and child occupants, maintaining the model’s reputation for structural integrity within the competitive micro-SUV category.
Detailed Occupant Protection Scores
In the adult occupant protection (AOP) category, the Punch facelift recorded 30.58 points out of a possible 32. During the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the vehicle provided ‘good’ protection for the driver’s head, neck, and upper body, while the chest and lower extremities were rated as ‘adequate.’ The co-driver’s protection was largely ‘good,’ with the exception of the right tibia. In side-impact evaluations, the vehicle performed strongly, achieving ‘good’ ratings in the side pole impact test across all measured body regions.
The child occupant protection (COP) results were equally robust, with the vehicle scoring 45 out of 49 points. This included perfect scores for:
- Dynamic testing (24/24 points)
- Child Restraint System (CRS) installation (12/12 points)
Testing involved rearward-facing seats for both 18-month-old and three-year-old dummies, both of which maintained full protection during frontal and side-impact scenarios.
Safety Features and Technical Specifications
Tata Motors has equipped the Punch facelift with a comprehensive array of safety technologies as standard across the lineup. Key features include:
- Six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- ISOFIX child seat anchorages
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 360-degree camera with blind-spot monitoring
- Hill start and descent control
While the Bharat NCAP testing specifically utilized the Pure+ CNG AMT and Accomplished CNG MT variants, the five-star certification is applicable to the entire Punch range, including petrol and manual/automatic configurations.
Market Competition and Pricing
Positioned in the entry-level SUV segment, the Tata Punch facelift is priced between Rs. 5.59 lakhs and Rs. 10.54 lakhs (introductory ex-showroom). It continues to compete against rivals such as the Hyundai Exter, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kiger, leveraging its updated safety credentials as a primary differentiator in the market.
