Tata Punch EV vs Citroën ëC3 : The new world of personal transport is dawning, and compact electric SUVs are the new darlings of India’s automotive market. Two of the most important names in this segment are the Tata Punch EV and the Citroën ëC3. Both promise a decent range, contemporary features, and chic bodywork, yet they slightly differ in the kind of clientele they target. Here is an exhaustive comparison to help you with your selection should you find yourself in doubt.
The Tata Punch EV carries forward all the rugged SUV characteristics as seen in its petrol version but with fresh touches including a closed type grille and sleek LED light fittings. It is built upon Tata’s highly sophisticated EV platform, with good ground clearance and tremendous presence on the road. Citroën ëC3, on the flip side, stick to their quirkiness with bright colour options, funky styling elements and a strong hatchback appeal. The Punch EV feels much more SUV-ish while the ëC3 is more entertainingly .
Within the Punch EV is a modern cabin fitted with a large touchscreen display, a digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, and good quality material. The ëC3, while quite simple, is stylish, with interesting two-tone colour options for the dashboard, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and comfy seats, but lacks certain premium features such as automatically climate control and a fully digital driver display. In terms of space, both cars could seat four adults comfortably. However, the Punch EV’s slightly higher seating position allows better commanding road view.
Performance-wise, the Punch EV comes with two variants for the battery pack available-a smaller one primarily meant for city buyers and a larger variant with a pretty good range of 300-400 km depending on the trim. It has quite the zing and does well in the cities as well as the occasional highway-interesting runs. The Citroën ëC3 has one battery option, claiming a range of about 320 km, smooth to drive but one focused more on comfort than sporty character.
Both cars support fast charging, enabling a 10-80% charge in just about 56 minutes with a DC Fast Charger. Safety is also an important concern but Tata has a proven record here with the Punch EV having features such as multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control. The ëC3 also has good basic safety features but is a bit undermined by the overall strength of the package.
If you wish to go for a rugged, loaded, and future-perfect electric SUV with great range and tried-and-tested Tata safety, the Punch EV is a clear winner. But if you fancy something with an element of design funkiness, a comfortable city driver, and something that stands out from the crowd, the Citroën ëC3 will do just that for you.
