The 2026 Tata Punch EV facelift arrives with updated styling, bigger battery packs, and a refreshed variant lineup — all at prices that are up to Rs 1.85 lakh lower than before. With five trim options and two battery choices, picking the right variant can be tricky. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide.
Quick Recap: 2026 Punch EV Prices and Variants
The updated Punch EV is offered in five variants — Smart, Smart+, Adventure, Empowered, and Empowered+ — priced between Rs 9.69 lakh and Rs 12.59 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory). Battery options are a 30kWh unit (available on Smart and Smart+) and a larger 40kWh pack (available from Smart+ upward).
| Variant | 30kWh | 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Smart | Rs 9.69 lakh | — |
| Smart+ | Rs 10.29 lakh | Rs 10.89 lakh |
| Adventure | — | Rs 11.59 lakh |
| Empowered | — | Rs 12.29 lakh |
| Empowered+ | — | Rs 12.59 lakh |
The ARAI-rated range stands at 365 km for the 30kWh and 468 km for the 40kWh, making the larger battery a compelling upgrade for those worried about range anxiety.
Breaking Down the Variants
Smart (Rs 9.69 lakh) — The Entry Point
The base Smart trim is budget-friendly and surprisingly well-equipped on the safety front, offering 6 airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist, TPMS, and connected car tech right from the start. Automatic climate control and LED DRLs also make the cut.
However, it’s limited to the 30kWh battery and misses out on a touchscreen infotainment system, a reverse camera, and steering-mounted controls. For buyers who want the absolute lowest entry price into the Punch EV family, this works — but daily usability will feel restricted without a screen or camera.
Best for: Buyers on a strict budget who prioritize safety over creature comforts.
Smart+ 40kWh (Rs 10.89 lakh) — The Sweet Spot for Value Seekers
Step up to the Smart+ 40kWh and the Punch EV transforms into a far more well-rounded package. You get an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering-mounted controls, a reverse camera, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, paddleshifters for regenerative braking, and an extra Eco drive mode.
Critically, the 40kWh battery also brings a lifetime battery warranty with unlimited kilometres — a massive confidence booster for long-term ownership.
At Rs 10.89 lakh, the Smart+ 40kWh delivers genuine everyday usability without crossing the Rs 11 lakh mark. It’s arguably the best value variant in the lineup.
Best for: Practical buyers who want a well-equipped daily driver with good range at a reasonable price.
Adventure (Rs 11.59 lakh) — For Those Who Want a Bit More
The Adventure trim builds on the Smart+ 40kWh with a few meaningful additions: push-button start/stop, cruise control, hill-descent control, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and upgraded aero-optimised steel wheels. These are genuinely useful features, especially for highway driving.
The Rs 70,000 premium over the Smart+ 40kWh is justifiable if you frequently drive on highways or hilly terrain. However, if your commute is mostly urban, the Smart+ 40kWh covers everything you need.
Best for: Frequent highway drivers or those who want a more premium feel without going all the way to top-spec.
Empowered (Rs 12.29 lakh) — The Feature-Rich Choice
The Empowered variant is where the Punch EV really opens up. It introduces a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display with navigation view, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, alloy wheels, a Harman Kardon sound system, auto-folding ORVMs, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear LED light bar, a cooled glove box, and a cabin air purifier.
This is a significant jump in both tech and comfort. If you’re someone who values a premium in-cabin experience, the Empowered is worth the Rs 1.40 lakh premium over the Adventure.
Best for: Tech-savvy buyers and those who spend a lot of time in the car and want a premium experience.
Empowered+ (Rs 12.59 lakh) — The Top Spec at Minimal Extra Cost
Here’s the most compelling argument in the entire Punch EV lineup: the Empowered+ costs just Rs 30,000 more than the Empowered, yet adds a sunroof with voice activation, leatherette seats, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, LED headlights with LED fog lamps (with cornering function), an auto-dimming IRVM, a rear armrest, SOS calling, and roof rails.
For a Rs 30,000 difference, the Empowered+ is almost always the better buy over the Empowered. The sunroof and ventilated seats alone make this a no-brainer upgrade.
Best for: Anyone considering the Empowered — just spend the extra Rs 30,000 and get this instead.
Our Verdict: Which 2026 Punch EV Variant Should You Buy?
For most buyers: Empowered+ at Rs 12.59 lakh. At just Rs 30,000 over the Empowered, it packs every feature the Punch EV has to offer — sunroof, ventilated seats, LED lighting, wireless charging, and more. When you’re already spending over Rs 12 lakh, the marginal difference is easy to justify.
On a tighter budget? Go for Smart+ 40kWh at Rs 10.89 lakh. It hits the right balance of range, features, and affordability. The lifetime battery warranty on the 40kWh pack adds peace of mind for the long haul.
Skip the 30kWh-only Smart variant unless you’re purely optimizing for the lowest sticker price. The missing infotainment screen, limited range, and shorter battery warranty make it a less compelling long-term proposition.
