Tata Punch vs Renault Kiger vs Nissan Magnite – Comparing The Best of Micro-SUVs

Tata Motors is all set to ‘knockout’ the sub-compact and micro-SUVs in Indian car market with the all new Punch. Inspired by the bigger SUVs like Harrier and Nexon, the new Tata Punch is eyeing on acquiring 10% market share of all SUVs combined – a very ambitious plan, indeed. Here’s a quick look on how the Tata Punch fares against its two most supposed direct rivals – the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite:

Price

Compared to both Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite, which are available with both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engine options, the Tata Punch will be available with only a naturally aspirated petrol engine. The prices of the Tata Punch will be revealed by 20th October, which are expected to be on par with the naturally aspirated variants of both Kiger and Magnite.

(all prices Ex-showroom, Delhi)

(All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, pan India)

ALSO READ: Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar

Engine and Performance

As said above, the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite are available with a petrol engine, which is available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. The engine in question is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit. In both these SUVs, this engine makes 72 PS of power and 96 Nm of torque in naturally aspirated variants and 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of torque in turbocharged variants. All the variants are available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, however, the turbocharged variants of these SUVs can be had with a CVT gearbox as well. In addition, a 5-speed AMT has been made available with a few naturally aspirated variants of the Renault Kiger as an option.

Contrary to the Magnite and Kiger, the Tata Punch is solely available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. We have already seen this engine under the Tiago and Tigor, and just like in these two cars, the engine can be had with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. Here too, the engine is good enough to pump put maximum power and torque outputs of 86 PS and 113 Nm respectively.

ALSO READ: Tata Safari vs Tata Harrier

Exterior and Dimension

Out of all the three cars here, the Tata Punch is the tallest. However, in each and every other dimension, the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger are clearly bigger than the Punch. While the Magnite is the longest and widest car among the three, the Kiger leads the charts when it comes to boot space. The ground clearance, wheelbase and fuel tank capacity of the Magnite and Kiger are totally identical.

Design and Features

While any of the three vehicles here are not out-and-out SUVs, they have been designed with elements good enough to make them look rugged and solid. All the three cars here come with tough looking body cladding all around, with 16-inch diamond cut-alloy wheels and LED tail lamps on offer. The Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite look a bit flashier with their all LED headlamps and fog lamps. The Tata Punch, instead, gets conventional halogen projectors and fog lamps with daytime running LEDs.

Step into the cabin, and you will feel that the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger have common features like full TFT instrument console, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, push start-stop button, tilt-adjustable multi-functional steering wheel and electrically adjustable and foldable rear view mirrors. The Tata Punch also gets all these features, but misses out on bits like wireless connectivity for Apple Carplay and Android Auto and optional features like ambient lighting, puddle lamps, air purifier and wireless charger which the other platform-sharing siblings are getting.

In terms of exclusive features, while the Tata Nexon gets automatic climate control, the Renault Kiger has rear AC vents and dual front gloveboxes. The Nissan Magnite, on the other hand, is the only car here which gets 360-degree parking camera.

Safety Features

All the three micro-SUVs here get the standard safety features of dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, reverse camera and ISOFIX mounts for child seats. However, the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite have additional inclusions like traction control, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring system. Except the Kiger, the other two cars also get connected car technology, with the Magnite going one step further by offering a 360-degree parking camera.

ALSO READ: MG Astor vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos

Verdict

With a unique and fresh design and proven track record of its powertrain, the Tata Punch promises a lot in the micro-SUV segment. However, the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger clearly offer bigger dimensions, more features and additional options of more powerful petrol engines too. It all comes down to pricing of the Tata Punch, which will be revealed on 20^th October. If the prices of the Punch undercut or are on par with those of the naturally aspirated petrol variants of Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, it will surely write another blockbuster chapter for Tata Motors.

ALSO READ:

• Rolls Royce Phantom vs Bentley Flying Spur
• Rolls Royce Phantom vs Rolls Royce Ghost
• Mahindra XUV700 vs Tata Safari vs Hyundai Alcazar