Tata Motors’ popular sub-compact SUV, the Punch, is available with multiple powertrain options — petrol, electric, and CNG. This article focuses on the fuel efficiency of the CNG-powered Punch iCNG, which is priced between ₹7.30 lakh and ₹10.17 lakh (ex-showroom).
Claimed vs Real-World Efficiency
The Punch iCNG is officially rated by ARAI to deliver 26.99 km/kg, thanks to its efficient 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine producing 74 hp and 103 Nm of torque on CNG. It comes paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. However, it misses out on some fuel-saving features such as automatic engine stop-start and drive modes, both of which are present in the petrol variant.
In real-world testing, the Punch iCNG returned:
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20.7 km/kg in city conditions
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31.0 km/kg on the highway
This means its city mileage is very close to the Altroz iCNG, which is built on a similar platform and powertrain, recording 20.56 km/kg in similar tests.
How the Test Was Conducted
The testing followed a unique and consistent methodology:
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The CNG tanks were first completely emptied, then refilled with exactly 2 kg of CNG.
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Separate loops for city and highway testing were driven until the cars ran out of gas.
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Tyre pressures were set to manufacturer specifications.
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Tests were conducted in and around Navi Mumbai, with a fixed route and consistent average speeds.
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Only one person was in the vehicle during each test run, and air conditioning along with regular electricals (lights, wipers, audio system, etc.) were used normally.
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To reduce driver bias, periodic driver swaps were done during the tests.
Tata’s twin-cylinder CNG setup allows for better boot space without compromising fuel storage, and the performance figures show the Punch iCNG performs admirably in terms of efficiency—especially on highways.
Final Thoughts
While the Tata Punch iCNG may lack some modern fuel-saving tech, it still delivers strong real-world mileage, coming surprisingly close to its ARAI-rated figure in mixed conditions. If you’re looking for an efficient and practical CNG-powered compact SUV, the Punch iCNG stands out with its highway economy and city-friendly driveability.
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