Maruti Ignis and Tata Punch are direct rivals in a rapidly expanding market segment where value-for-money is the name of the game.
For the month of July 2024, the Maruti Ignis is being offered with some enticing benefits which makes it intriguingly competitive in comparison to the Tata Punch. Ignis is a tallboy crossover which bears a rather quirky design. That is the reason why it is generally preferred by the youngsters. However, it is yet to receive a significant update or a facelift for a long time now. In its top iteration, the vehicle is available at Rs 7.48 lakh, ex-showroom after considering the current discounts worth upto Rs 58,000. On the other hand, Tata Motors updated the Punch recently. It comes with tons of modern amenities. The top model retails for Rs 10.17 lakh, ex-showroom after a Corporate Bonus of Rs 3,000. Hence, the difference between the two is a considerable Rs 2.69 lakh in the favour of the Ignis.
Pros of Maruti Ignis
- Fuel Economy – Arguably the most critical aspect of a car in this price category has to be the mileage. In this regard, we know that Maruti Suzuki cars have no rivals. That is true with the Ignis too. In the manual and automatic versions, the claimed fuel economy is an impressive 20.89 km/l. In contrast, the Tata Punch offers a mileage of 20.09 km/l with the manual and 18.8 km/l with the AMT gearbox. Hence, the Ignis offers a distinct advantage.
- Smoother AMT – AMTs are generally criticized for being a bit jerky. However, Maruti Suzuki has done a commendable job of making the AMT gearbox of its products relatively smoother. That enhances the driving experience while offering the convenience of not having to shift gears manually. Apart from that, AMTs are the cheapest automatic gearboxes on offer. Still, Maruti’s AMT is extremely refined and smooth.
- Peppier Engine – The successful 1.2-litre K Series engine from Maruti Suzuki propels multiple models in its portfolio. Hence, it is a reliable mill which demonstrates decent performance. In fact, that can also be attributed to the light weight of the Ignis. In any case, the final outcome is engaging driving. The 840 kg weight of the Ignis is much lower than the 1,000 kg of the Punch. Hence, the driving experience becomes much more engaging due to a higher power-to-weight ratio.
- Affordability – Yet another crucial factor for most people while deciding which car to buy is affordability. This is one area where the Ignis shines bright. As mentioned previously, the Ignis has been due for a facelift for a long time now. Therefore, the prices are still significantly lower than the arch-rival, the Tata Punch. But that could be a huge pull for a whole bunch of the population who value the price over everything else. The Ignis retails between Rs 5.49 lakh and Rs 8.06 lakh, ex-showroom prior to the discounts. For reference, the Punch retails between Rs 6.13 lakh and Rs 10.20 lakh, ex-showroom. Hence, the difference between the two is evident.
- Aftersales Service and NEXA Experience – Finally, being the largest carmaker in the country and having been in the country for decades, it is obvious that no one can come close to Maruti Suzuki when it comes to touchpoints (sales and service). Regardless of where you are in our vast country, a Maruti Suzuki touchpoint can’t even be too far away. Also, the NEXA outlets offer a more premium experience to the customers in comparison to the traditional Arena dealerships. Hence, it is something to keep in mind when purchasing any of NEXA products.
Pros of Tata Punch
- 5-Star NCAP Safety – Let us commence the list of the advantages of Tata Punch with the 5-star safety rating at the Global NCAP. Safety ratings have become immensely valuable in our market, particularly in the last few years. Customers have become increasingly conscious of the safety prowess of their automobiles prior to making the purchase decision. Tata Motors must be credited with making this trend popular by offering top-notch safety capabilities even in its entry-level vehicles. In fact, there is no other 5-star rated car in this segment.
- CNG Variant – With the growing popularity of CNG, the Indian auto giant ensures that it offers a CNG powertrain with most of its mass-market offerings. The aim is to offer a variant which has low running costs in comparison to the petrol and diesel. Also, the prices of petrol and diesel will keep on rising in the future. With the growing inflation, it makes sense to invest in something like CNG if your lifestyle permits. Tata Motors was the first company to introduce twin-cylinder technology which ensures that there is usable luggage capacity. Generally, boot space (or lack thereof) is the main reason why people are reluctant to buy CNG cars.
- Electric Version – Now, Tata cars have one-up on most other vehicles in our market because most vehicles from the Indian auto giant possess an electric iteration. Tata Motors is the largest EV maker in the country by a huge margin. It has leveraged the popularity of its ICE cars and converted them into EVs without major engineering alterations. This has allowed them to quickly offer electric avatars of most mass-market cars without the astronomical premium as we see on bespoke EVs. Even the Punch is offered in an electric guise for those who have the means and zest for EVs.
- Ride Quality – In terms of the driving dynamics, cars from Tata Motors are quite impressive. Having a great ride quality is the single most necessary and useful parameter which actually alters the entire experience of every passenger in a car. Its suspension system and construction ensure that the bumps don’t seep into the cabin to disturb the comfort of the occupants. The ride quality of Tata Punch is easily the best in the segment.
- Features – Now since Tata Punch is a much newer model of the two, it certainly offers some modern tech, connectivity, convenience and safety amenities in comparison to the Maruti Ignis. Also, because it is much more expensive than the Ignis, there are considerably more features on offer which is necessary in this modern world. The top highlights include:
- 7-inch TFT Instrument Cluster
- Voice-assisted Sunroof
- Height Adjustable Driver Seat
- iTPMS
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- iRA Connected Car Tech
- Automatic Climate Control with Xpress Cool function
- D-cut Steering Wheel with Multimedia Controls
- Eco and City Drive Modes
- Cooled Glove Box
- What3Words Navigation
- Follow Me Home Headlamps
Our View
This is a typical case of what a potential buyer prefers. While there is a distinct price advantage that the Ignis offers, it certainly lacks modern features. Apart from that, the Ignis is great for those who want fuel economy and a smooth AMT. The current discounts are a further push for the price-conscious buyers. Hence, it could turn out to be a great value for money for a whole bunch of customers. On the other hand, the Tata Punch is the newer model of the two. On top of that, there are tons of modern amenities and a 5-star safety rating. You can even choose between a multitude of variants. Hence, these trims are great for all sorts of requirements. Finally, you can visit your nearest showrooms to experience both cars in person and calculate the kinds of deals on offer to make the final decision.
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