Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch : Here comes the 2025 version for a micro SUV segment. India has seen these SUVs creeping to eventually mature fashion statements for the low-budget small-car buyers, who see all the glitz outside, with all the gizmos packed into a car costing less than ₹10 lakh.
Coming to the highlight of this segment in 2025 are the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch. Compact, smart SUV-commuters designed for metro journeys for the most part with some weekend leisure and hard-core family work on the weekdays hustle. So which of these gives you more value for money? Let’s try and figure it out in a simple manner.
The Hyundai Exter is known for its striking looks and the most modern of features. The visibility in the front speaks of the future, which are H-shaped LED DRLs, a large grille, and a tall stance; this car seems to put an SUV face on a very compact size. The Tata Punch, on the other hand, comes with a muscular rugged look.
It has a somewhat more substantial, tougher feel, which lures a section of buyers looking for that bold road presence in a small package. Both cars, in terms of design, consider themselves good-looking, but the Punch appears a touch tougher, whereas the Exter appears more advanced.
The Hyundai Exter is underpinned by a nice and smooth-running 1.2-liter petrol engine with good refinement. It has a CNG option for those intending to save on fuel cost. The Tata Punch also comes with a 1.2-liter petrol engine, except that the Punch’s powertrain is a little bit louder than that of the Exters’.Probably some buyers might consider it a disadvantage that at present, the Punch doesn’t give a CNG option. Both cars can be opted for with Manual/ AMT transmissions, thus making city driving much easier.
Features wise, it has to be Hyundai. The Exter has features such as a sunroof, wireless phone charging, a digital instrument cluster, six airbags as standard, and connected car technology; all at a pretty attractive price. Meanwhile, the Tata Punch presents nice features, such as an infotainment system built well with safety features like dual airbags and ABS alongside a pretty strong 5-star rating from GNCAP for safety. Yet, it does miss out on some more serious features such as sunroof and connected car technology.
In the terms of space and comfort, both cars can accommodate decent seating for four adults and some good boot space. The Punch feels more spacious with a higher ground clearance that gives an SUV kind of feeling. The Exter somehow manages to feel crammed up on the inside but more so in terms of cabin design and tech features.
In case you want elegance, state-of-the-art features, and fuel efficiency along with some modern tech, the appellation of micro SUV best suits the very fashionable Hyundai Exter. However, for Tata Punch, if you are looking for safety, build quality, and rugged design, it still carries 2025 flock with it.