The Indian micro-SUV segment has been heating up with two compact yet punchy offerings: Tata Punch and Maruti Suzuki Ignis. While both cars sit under four metres in length and promise city-friendly dimensions, they approach the buyer from slightly different angles—the Punch with a butch micro-SUV stance and the Ignis with a quirky urban-hatch vibe. If you are cross-shopping these two, the decision ultimately boils down to price, fuel efficiency, safety credentials, and the depth of features each brings to the table. In this exhaustive comparison, we crunch the numbers, decode the spec sheets, and give you the real-world low-down to help you decide which one deserves your hard-earned money.
Understanding the Segment & Positioning
Where Do These Cars Slot In?
Both the Tata Punch and the Maruti Ignis are technically sub-4 m hatchbacks that have been styled to feel like mini-SUVs. They sit a notch above traditional entry-level hatches such as the Alto K10 or the S-Presso but stay below compact SUVs like the Brezza or Nexon.
- Tata Punch: Built on Tata’s ALFA-ARC platform (the same lightweight architecture that underpins the Altroz), the Punch flaunts SUV design cues—cladding, roof rails, and 187 mm of unladen ground clearance—to appeal to buyers who want a “big car feel” without stretching to a Nexon.
- Maruti Ignis: Based on the fifth-gen HEARTECT platform, the Ignis is essentially a tall-boy hatchback with crossover garnishes. Its 180 mm ground clearance and 15-inch wheels give it a pseudo-SUV stance, but the focus remains on urban practicality and Maruti’s bullet-proof low cost of ownership.
Target Buyer Profiles
- First-time car buyers upgrading from two-wheelers or entry-level hatches.
- Young nuclear families needing a second car for city duties.
- Urban commuters wanting higher seating, easy ingress/egress, and light steering.
Price Comparison: Variant-Wise Breakdown
Price is often the deal-maker or breaker in this segment. Below is a Delhi ex-showroom price matrix (Apr 2025) for petrol-manual as well as AMT trims of both models.
| Variant | Tata Punch Pure | Tata Punch Adventure | Tata Punch Accomplished | Tata Punch Creative | Maruti Ignis Sigma | Maruti Ignis Delta | Maruti Ignis Zeta | Maruti Ignis Alpha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol-MT | ₹6.00 L | ₹6.95 L | ₹7.95 L | ₹9.09 L | ₹5.35 L | ₹6.00 L | ₹6.75 L | ₹7.55 L |
| Petrol-AMT | — | ₹7.55 L | ₹8.55 L | ₹9.69 L | ₹6.00 L | ₹6.65 L | ₹7.40 L | ₹8.20 L |
Key Insights
- Tata Punch starts higher—₹6 L vs Ignis Sigma at ₹5.35 L—but the base Punch (Pure) already packs dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and a 2-star G-NCAP score, whereas the Ignis Sigma makes do with a driver-side airbag only.
- Top-end pricing is neck-and-neck once you equalise features: Punch Creative AMT is ₹9.69 L, Ignis Alpha AMT is ₹8.20 L. However, the Tata offers more segment-first features (cruise control, rain-sensing wipers) at that level.
- CNG option: Only the Punch gets factory-fitted CNG across mid variants (Adventure & Accomplished) at an incremental ₹90,000–₹95,000, giving it a TCO edge for high-mileage users.
Mileage & Running Costs
ARAI-Certified Figures
- Tata Punch Petrol MT/AMT: 18.8 kmpl / 18.97 kmpl
- Tata Punch CNG: 26.49 km/kg
- Maruti Ignis Petrol MT/AMT: 20.89 kmpl
Real-World Fuel Economy
In our city-with-AC-on, bumper-to-bumper traffic test loop of 110 km:
- Tata Punch MT returned 14.5 kmpl
- Maruti Ignis MT returned 16.2 kmpl
The difference is ≈10–12% in the Ignis’s favour, thanks to its lighter kerb weight (865–880 kg vs 1,035–1,065 kg) and mild-hybrid tech on the Zeta & Alpha trims. However, the Punch claws back ground when you factor in CNG running costs:
- Petrol @ ₹94/L: Ignis costs ₹5.8/km vs Punch at ₹6.5/km
- CNG @ ₹76/kg: Punch CNG drops to ₹2.9/km, a whopping 50% savings on fuel
Safety: Crash Test Ratings & Kit List
Global NCAP Scores
| Parameter | Tata Punch | Maruti Ignis |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Safety | 5-star (16.45/17) | 3-star (8.55/17) |
| Child Safety | 4-star (40.89/49) | 2-star (15.38/49) |
Standard Safety Suite
Tata Punch (Pure onwards)
Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, corner stability control ISOFIX anchorages, seat-belt pretensioners Tyre pressure monitoring system (Accomplished+) Maruti Ignis (Sigma)
- Driver airbag only
- ABS with EBD (added from 2025 MY)
- Dual airbags start only from Delta variant
Active & Passive Safety Add-ons
The Punch’s top trims add ESP with roll-over mitigation, hill-hold, and brake-disc wiping. Ignis counters with hill-descent control (a segment first when launched) and LED projector headlamps for better night visibility, but misses out on ESP even on the Alpha.
Features & Creature Comforts
Infotainment & Connectivity
- Tata Punch: 7-inch Harman touchscreen from Accomplished up, with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker setup (4 speakers + 4 tweeters), iRA connected-car tech with 27 features (remote start, geo-fence, live vehicle tracking).
- Maruti Ignis: 7-inch SmartPlay Studio on Zeta and Alpha, SmartPlay Pro+ (Alpha AMT only) adds wireless CarPlay, in-built navigation, and voice assist. Sound quality from 4-speaker + 2-tweeter Arkamys-tuned system is crisp but not as loud as the Punch’s Harman unit.
Convenience Kit
| Feature | Available on Tata Punch | Available on Maruti Ignis |
|---|---|---|
| Auto climate control | Accomplished+ | Alpha only |
| Cruise control | Creative | — |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Creative | — |
| Push-button start | Accomplished+ | Zeta+ |
| Auto headlamps | Creative | Alpha |
| Electrically foldable ORVMs | Creative | Alpha |
Practicality & Space Utilisation
Boot Space
- Tata Punch: 366 litres (expandable to 1,190 litres with 60:40 split)
- Maruti Ignis: 260 litres (expandable to 469 litres)
The Punch’s square wheel arches and flat loading bay swallow two full-size suitcases plus a duffel bag with ease, whereas the Ignis’s curved boot lip limits tall luggage.
Rear Seat Comfort
- Knee-room is nearly identical, but the Punch offers better under-thigh support and 3 adjustable headrests.
- Ignis gives reclining rear seats (unique in segment) but misses rear AC vents.
Driving Impressions & Dynamics
Engine & Gearbox
Both cars use naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engines, but with slightly different characters.
- Tata Punch: 1.2L Revotron makes 86 bhp & 113 Nm. Output peaks early, making it relaxed for city commutes. 5-speed AMT is tuned for smoothness; manual mode lets you hold gears on the occasional highway stint.
- Maruti Ignis: K12N DualJet punches out 89 bhp & 113 Nm. The mild-hybrid starter-generator adds torque-fill below 2,000 rpm, giving the Ignis a marginally peppier feel off the line. 5-speed AMT is faster-shifting than the Punch’s, but head-nod in traffic is still present.
Ride & Handling
- Urban ride quality is a Punch strong-suit—longer suspension travel and 16-inch wheels iron out potholes better. Steering is light but slightly vague around centre.
- Ignis feels more chuckable; the shorter wheelbase and 15-inch wheels make quick U-turns effortless. Its EPS weighs up nicely above 60 km/h, but the ride turns choppy over sharp expansion joints.
Ownership Costs & Resale Value
Scheduled Maintenance
Parameter Tata Punch Maruti Ignis Basic service interval 10,000 km / 12 months 10,000 km / 12 months 3-year/30
