I Want To Buy An SUV For Under Rs 7 Lakh - What Are My Options?

It has increasingly become difficult to find the perfect balance between comfort and economy when considering to buy a new car in the affordable segment. Despite the emergence of SUVs, there are few options available that meet the economy requirements and offer a spacious cabin for a young middle-class family. If you are facing the same dilemma and have a budget of Rs 7 lakh, then the New Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter are two noteworthy options that you can consider in their base variant avatars. Here's a quick comparison of the Punch Smart variant and the Exter EX variant to help you find the best fit for your family.

New Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter - Features Comparison

When considering the base variants of the two SUVs, the new Punch Smart

variant covers the basics with 6 airbags, LED headlamps, 10.61-inch digital driver information cluster, tyre pressure monitoring system, front power windows, central locking and more.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Exter EX also offers 6 airbags as standard along with central locking, LED taillamps, digital driver information cluster, power steering, front power windows and more. The Punch, being the newer model of the two, offers a few extra goodies compared to the Exter.

New Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter - Engine Comparison

When it comes to engine options between the Punch and Exter base variants, the Punch offers the 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that produces 85.4 hp and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, the Exter comes with the tried-and-tested 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine from Hyundai; this motor produces 82 hp and is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Both the SUVs have reported mileage figures of over 18 kmpl under favourable driving conditions.

New Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter - Safety Comparison

When it comes to safety, the Hyundai Exter EX variant gets 26 safety features as standard, including 6 airbags, ESC, speed sensing door lock, unlock, keyless entry and more. Similarly, the new Punch also offers 6 airbags, ESC, TPMS and more as standard safety features. However, the Punch also has the benefit of a five-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP, giving it an edge over the Exter, which does not have a crash safety rating yet.

New Tata Punch vs Hyundai Exter - Price Comparison

The ex-showroom price for the Hyundai Exter EX is Rs 5.64 lakh ex-showroom and the new Tata Punch Smart variants will set you back Rs 5.59 lakh. This keeps the price difference between the two SUVs at a minimal Rs 5,000 and the indicative on-road prices for both options at under Rs 7 lakh. If a proven track record and an understated appeal fulfill your requirements, then the Exter could be a good choice. Meanwhile, if having the latest tech and a sharp design, appeals to you more, the new Punch could be a better-suited option.