Choosing between the Hyundai Exter and the Tata Punch? Both are compact, city-friendly SUVs that punch above their weight in features and personality — but where they differ most for many buyers is price. Below I compare the base and top model pricing, what you get at each end of the range, and practical buying tips so you can decide (and book) with confidence.
Quick headline numbers (what dealers and makers list right now)
- Hyundai Exter — Base (EX) starts at about ₹5.5–5.7 lakh (ex-showroom); the top variants (SX Opt / SX Tech / special trims) can go up to roughly ₹8.5–9.6 lakh (ex-showroom) depending on fuel/AMT/CNG choices and optional packs. CarDekho+1
- Tata Punch — Base (Pure) begins near ₹5.5 lakh (ex-showroom) and the top trims reach about ₹9.0–9.5 lakh (ex-showroom) for ICE/CNG/AMT combinations; Tata’s official price listings show the Punch starting figures and variant breakdown. CarWale+1
(Note: “ex-showroom” is the factory/one-city price; on-road will be higher once RTO, insurance and local taxes are added. Dealers also run festival offers, exchange bonuses and corporate discounts which change effective on-road costs.)
What these price bands mean in practice
Base models (value-for-money city commuters)
- Hyundai Exter EX (base): Positioned as an entry-friendly compact SUV with the essentials covered — lightweight 1.2L petrol, practical cabin, and Hyundai’s warranty/after-sales network. The competitive starting price makes it attractive to first-time SUV buyers. CarDekho
- Tata Punch Pure (base): Punch’s base trim is also very competitively priced and emphasizes safety and practicality (Tata consistently markets strong passive safety), giving a lot of core value for the money. The Punch often undercuts rivals with a strong value proposition in the base variant. CarWale+1
Both base trims aim at buyers who prioritize low purchase price, fuel efficiency, and low running costs. If budget is the single largest constraint, the starting prices of both cars are very similar — so personal preference, local dealer offers, and test-drive impressions become decisive.
Top trims (features, tech, and creature comforts)
- Hyundai Exter (top models): At the higher end you get larger infotainment screens, additional safety features, automatic transmission options, dual-tone paint and aesthetic packs. Hyundai also tends to include modern convenience features (connected-car tech on some trims) as standard at higher prices. CarWale+1
- Tata Punch (top trims): Tata loads the top trims with larger touchscreens, sunroof (on certain trims), roof rails, advanced driver aids in higher packages and segment-leading fit-and-finish for the price. Punch top trims are competitive in equipment-to-price ratio and often include flagship features that appeal to buyers who want near-premium touches in a compact package. CarWale
If you’re upgrading to top trims, you’ll typically pay ~₹2.5–4 lakh more than the base for both cars (varies by options like AMT, CNG, or connected tech). That delta buys more convenience, safety tech, and smarter interiors.
Total cost of ownership — more than sticker price
When comparing these two, remember to factor:
- On-road price: adds RTO, insurance and state-specific taxes to ex-showroom. (Cardekho/CarWale show on-road estimators per city.) CarDekho+1
- Fuel type: CNG options lower running cost but sometimes push the on-road price for specific CNG variants upward; check the variant lists for Exter and Punch to compare petrol vs CNG prices. CarDekho+1
- Resale & service: Hyundai and Tata both have large networks; Hyundai’s wider service footprint can help in some cities, while Tata’s improving service and strong resale for SUVs are positives.
- Offers: Festive discounts, corporate schemes and exchange bonuses can substantially reduce the effective price — Hyundai and Tata both run dealer and company offers seasonally. Navbharat Times+1
Which should you pick based on price buckets?
- Tight budget (strictly want base price)
Both the Exter EX and Punch Pure start at nearly the same band — choose based on which base-level equipment you value (e.g., if you want slightly better warranty/after-sales or a dealer network, that can tilt you to Hyundai; if you want structural safety and a rugged look at entry price, Punch is strong). CarDekho+1 - Comfort + tech focus (want top trims)
If you want the best infotainment, sunroof, advanced convenience and connected features, the Exter top trims and the Punch top trims both deliver strong packages — compare specific top-variant features side-by-side and the exact on-road delta at your city’s dealer before booking. CarWale+1 - Best value for features per rupee
The Punch often gives excellent kit for the price (especially in mid-to-top trims), while Exter targets buyers who want Hyundai’s styling and feature bundles. The deciding factor is the exact variant pricing and available offers at time of booking. CarWale+1
Quick checklist before you book (practical, money-saving steps)
- Confirm ex-showroom vs on-road for your city — request an on-road breakup from the dealer. (Web price listings give ex-showroom; on-road differs by city.) CarDekho+1
- Ask about current offers (festival discounts, corporate, exchange, finance deals). Dealers often reduce effective price during major festivals. Navbharat Times
- Compare same-fuel and same-transmission variants (1.2L MT petrol base vs 1.2L AMT / CNG) to get an apples-to-apples price comparison. CarDekho+1
- Test-drive the exact variant you plan to buy (ride/space/visibility differ by trim).
- Negotiate accessories and extended warranty as part of the booking — dealers bundle them into the on-road quote.
Final recommendation & Book now
If your priority is the lowest entry price, both the Hyundai Exter EX and Tata Punch Pure are neck-and-neck — check local on-road quotes and dealer offers to pick the best deal. If you want feature-rich top trims, compare the exact top-variant on-road price and the feature list — both brands provide compelling packages, so lean on test drives and the variant-by-variant price gap to decide. For the latest official variant prices and to start booking, check the makers’ variant/price pages and then contact your local dealer for the best on-road offer. Hyundai+1
Ready to book? Visit the Hyundai Exter page or the Tata Punch price/booking page (manufacturer and major listing sites show live variant prices and dealership contact options) and request an on-road quote for your city — then lock the variant and dealer that gives the best total cost and delivery timeline. Hyundai+1
If you’d like, I can:
- Create a side-by-side table (base vs top features and exact prices) for the specific city you’re in (I’ll pull the on-road & variant numbers for that city), or
- Draft a short message you can send to dealers to request quotes (covers on-road breakdown, nearest delivery slot, and current offers).
Which one would help you book today?
