Tata Punch iCNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG: Which One Should You Buy? – Auto News

We compare the Tata Punch iCNG with the Hyunda Exter CNG and find out which micro-SUV offers the best value for money.

Hyundai and Tata Motors are fiercely competing for the title of India’s number one SUV maker. Both companies have introduced affordable CNG variants of their popular models, the Punch and the Exter. The Punch has consistently been the best-selling SUV in the Indian market this year, except for a brief period when it was dethroned by the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. Hyundai has also had success with the Exter, although the Creta still leads the sales charts. Let’s compare the Punch iCNG and the Exter CNG to see which offers the best value.

Tata Punch iCNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG: Dimensions

The Punch has a more traditional SUV stance on the road and is longer and wider than the Exter, measuring 3,827mm long and 1,742mm wide. While the Punch may appear to be the taller vehicle, it is the Exter at 1,631mm tall, but Hyundai also measure the roof rails.

Tata Punch (File Image)

What’s interesting to note is that the Hyundai SUV has a slightly longer wheelbase of 2,450mm, 5mm more than the Punch. Hyundai hasn’t revealed the boot space of the CNG version yet, but the company plans to switch to a two-cylinder CNG tank, which will increase the boot space. The Punch, on the other hand, uses the two-cylinder CNG layout and offers 210 litres of boot space.

Tata Punch iCNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG: Features

The Exter is equipped with safety features such as six airbags, a tire pressure monitor, all five seats have three-point seat belts with ISOFIX seat attachments and a rear-view camera and reversing sensors and automatic headlights. In terms of comfort features, Hyundai offers an 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering wheel controls, two 12V sockets, adjustable rear headrests and a Type-C fast charging port in the front.

Hyundai Exter (Image: Hyundai)

The Punch is the only vehicle in its segment to receive a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP tests. It achieves a five-star rating for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection. While the Punch is solidly built, the Exter manages to outdo it with more features. The Punch gets dual airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side impact protection systems, 3-point seat belts for all seats, Brake Sway Control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The Punch comes with convenience features such as a voice-activated sunroof, rain sensors, a front armrest, plenty of USB and Type-C ports and a 7-inch, six-speaker Harman infotainment system.

Tata Punch iCNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG: Power Specifications

Both the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter are powered by 1.2-litre engines, but the Punch has a 3-cylinder engine while the Exter has a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with CNG. The Punch makes 72.5 bhp and 103 Nm of torque in CNG mode and is the only vehicle that can start directly in CNG mode. It also has an automatic switch feature between petrol and CNG modes when the fuel is low. The Exter, on the other hand, makes a lower power of 68 bhp and 95.2 Nm of torque. Both the vehicles come with a 5-speed manual transmission. Hyundai offers the Exter CNG in two variants starting at Rs 8.43 lakh while the Punch is available in five trim levels starting at Rs 7.23 lakh, ex-showroom.