Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG

18 August 2023

Tata Motors have recently launched their Punch iCNG with a starting price of Rs 7.10 lakh for the Pure Trim with the top-spec Accomplished Dazzle S trim priced at Rs 9.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Tata Punch CNG comes in three trim levels: Pure, Adventure, and Accomplished. The latter two also come with the same extra packages as Rhythm and Dazzle. Tata Motors is not offering Punch CNG in the most expensive Creative trim. Tata Punch CNG is the fourth model in the Tata’s CNG lineup following the Tiago, Tigor and Altroz.

Tata Punch iCNG will compete with the newly launched Hyundai Exter CNG and Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG in the sub-compact SUV Segment.

Hyundai Exter is a sub-compact SUV based on Hyundai Grand i10 Nios platform and was launched on July 10 this year. The Exter with its Boxy SUV Looks, is slotted below Hyundai Venue in the Hyundai India line up. We have already done our detailed specification review of Hyundai Exter in comparison with Tata Punch, Citroen C3, Maruti Ignis and Maruti Fronx. You can click here to read our spec comparison. The Hyundai Exter was launched with the CNG variant from day one and the CNG variant line up is also quite impressive with lots of features being offered in just two trims.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx, on the other hand, is a SUV crossover based on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno but have been given a makeover to look like an SUV. And believe us, Maruti Engineers have done a fair amount of hard work in this area and have been successful in making an SUV out of Baleno. Though Fronx was launched in the month of April 2023 but the S-CNG variants have been recently added to Fronx’s line up. You can read more details about Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG here.

Since all the three vehicles are vying for their supremacy in the CNG Sub-Compact SUV segment, we will be today doing a complete specification comparison for all the three formidable contenders to know which one excels over the other on paper under various heads.

Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG: Dimensions

	Tata Punch iCNG	Hyundai Exter CNG	Maruti Fronx S-CNG
Length	3827mm	3815mm	3995mm
Width	1742mm	1710mm	1765mm
Height	1615mm	1631mm	1550mm
Wheel Base	2445mm	2450mm	2520mm
Ground Clearance	187mm	185mm	190mm
Boot Space	210 litres	NA	NA
Tyre Size	16 inch	15 inch	16 inch

As for the dimensions are concerned, the Tata Punch iCNG, measuring 3827mm in length, 1710 mm in width, 1615 mm in height and is longer and wider than the Hyundai Exter wherein the Exter scores more in being taller than the Punch with 1631mm of Height. The Maruti Fronx on the other hand, is longer and wider than the Tata Punch and the Exter both, but falls short on height than both the cars with its overall height measuring at 1550mm only.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx also scores over the Punch and Exter in Wheel Base and Ground Clearance. The Tata Punch has the shortest Wheel Base of 2445mm with Exter having a Wheel Base of 2450mm and Fronx, being the largest at 2520mm. The Maruti Fronx S-CNG with its 190mm of Ground Clearance, also excels over the other two with Tata Punch being at the second spot with 187mm and Hyundai Exter at the third spot with 185mm of Ground Clearance.

Now the most important area where the Tata Engineers have done a wonderful job is the Boot Space. Tata Punch with its Dual Cylinder setup has managed to generate a Boot Space of 210 litres. The Hyundai Exter and the Maruti Fronx on the other hand, with CNG Cylinder holding the major portion of their boot, have a very little space to offer in the boot where you can fit one or two laptop bags or a few shopping bags. This the area where Tata Punch is a clear winner and the Boot Space alone can be a major reason for CNG buyers to trail Tata Showrooms.

Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG:

Engine, Power and Transmission

	Tata Punch iCNG	Hyundai Exter CNG	Maruti Fronx S-CNG
Engine	3 Cylinder CNG	4 Cylinder CNG	4 Cylinder CNG
Displacement	1199cc	1197cc	1197cc
Peak Power	73.5 PS	69 PS	76 PS
Peak Torque	103 Nm	95.2Nm	98.5 Nm
Transmission	5 Speed MT	5 Speed MT	5 Speed MT
CNG Tank Capacity	60 litres (Dual Cylinders)	60 litres (Single Cylinder)	60 Litres (Single Cylinder)

In Engine options, all the three Sub-compact SUVs are available with a 1.2 litre Naturally Aspirated Engine whereby the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and the Hyundai Exter have 4 Cylinder set up and the Tata Punch iCNG is offered with a 3 Cylinder unit. Despite being a 3 Cylinder unit, Tata Punch offers more Torque than the Exter and the Fronx. The Maruti Fronx’s Peak Power output of 76 PS is more than the Tata Punch and the Exter. The Exter CNG is the least powerful in this area with Tata Punch holding the second spot and the Maruti Fronx being at the top.

All the three cars in their CNG avtar are only available with 5 Speed Manual Transmission only. None of the three have an option of an Automatic Transmission mated to a factory fitted CNG kit.

Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG:

ARAI Certified Mileage Figures

	Tata Punch iCNG	Hyundai Exter CNG	Maruti Fronx S-CNG
CNG	26.99 Km/Kg	27.10 Km/Kg	28.51 Km/Kg

Maruti Suzuki cars are always known to be the Mileage Kings. Here in the CNG versions also the Maruti Fronx with its ARAI Certified Mileage of 28.51 Km per Kg scores over Tata Punch and the Exter. Tata Punch iCNG with its claimed mileage of 26.99 Km per Kg is the least efficient in the lot with Hyundai Exter CNG again holding the second spot with Mileage figures of 27.10 Km per Kg of CNG.

Tata Punch CNG vs Hyundai Exter CNG vs Maruti Suzuki Fronx S-CNG:

Prices (Ex-Showroom)

	Tata Punch iCNG	Hyundai Exter CNG	Maruti Fronx S-CNG
Base Variant	Rs. 7.10 Lakh	Rs. 8.24 Lakh	Rs. 8.41 lakh
Top End Variant	Rs. 9.68 Lakhs	Rs. 8.96 lakh	Rs. 9.27 lakh

In the Price competition, the Tata Punch iCNG has the lowest Starting Price of Rs. 7.10 Lakh going up to Rs. 9.68 lakh for the Top End Trim. The Tata Punch is the only vehicle here to offer factory fitted CNG kit in five trims. The Hyundai Exter CNG, on the other hand, starts at RS. 8.24 lakhs going up to Rs. 8.96 lakh for the Top End CNG variant. Maruti Fronx S-CNG has a base Sigma variant priced at Rs. 8.41 lakh and the Delta variant priced at Rs. 9.27 lakhs. Both Hyundai Exter and Maruti Fronx have only two trims offered with factory fitted CNG whereas Tata Punch CNG being offered in five trims.

Tata Punch with its Bold and Handsome looks along with its SUV proportions have been able to gain much more popularity among buyers in its petrol only models. The Exter on the other hand is not a very appealing to look from outside compared to Punch and Fronx. Fronx being a good-looking car and a well proportioned all around, looks more like a Crossover than an SUV. Though design and looks are one’s individual choice and perception, but here we would definitely slot Tata Punch at the top with its overall Design and Looks.

In the comparison above, all three contenders have enough grunt to claim the top spot but Tata Punch with its lowest starting price and segment only Dual CNG Cylinder set up generating 210 litres of Boot Space is a clear winner among all.

We hope that the above spec comparison would help you in making a smart and wise buying decision among the three above. If you wish to know more about Cars, please leave a comment below.