Tata Punch or Citroen C3 – which makes sense?
Tata gambled by launching the Punch in a segment which was considered dead. So, it was obvious that the Punch taking off in the sales chart would catch everyone by surprise. Citroen was also working on its next product which was set to rival the Punch. However, the French brand decided to take a slightly different route with the C3. According to the brand, C3 is practically a hatchback with SUV characteristics. So, which makes more sense, the Tata Punch or the Citroen C3? In today’s article on Tata Punch vs Citroen C3, let’s discuss that.
Tata Punch vs Citroen C3 – Dimensions
The Tata Punch is 3,827mm in length, 1,742mm in width & 1,615mm in height. It sits on a wheelbase of 2,445mm and has a ground clearance of 187mm. On the other hand, the C3 is 3,981mm in length, 1,733mm in width & 1,586mm in height. It sits on a wheelbase of 2,540mm and has a ground clearance of 180mm. From the dimensions, it is clear the Punch is wider & taller, while the C3 is longer and has a bigger wheelbase. The extra ground clearance is an added benefit to the Punch when taking on bad roads. Contrary to this, the longer wheelbase will be an added benefit for the C3 when it comes to offering legroom in the cabin.
Specifications
Both the cars only come with petrol engine options. The Punch comes with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine capable of producing 84bhp & 113Nm of torque. This engine comes mated to a manual and an AMT option. This engine is perfectly suited for city commuting, especially when mated to the AMT gearbox.
In comparison, the C3 comes with two petrol engine options: a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine capable of producing 80bhp & 115Nm of torque. This engine looks equally matched to the Punch. However, the C3 gets an edge with its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine capable of producing 108bhp & 190Nm of torque. Both the engines might not be made available with an automatic gearbox, however, the turbo unit is definitely aimed at bringing a wide smile on your face. This C3 with its turbo-petrol engine is definitely worth considering if you enjoy driving.
Features
Tata knows the Indian market quite well and has features that work well in India. The Punch comes with features like a 7.0-inch infotainment system, Harman sound system, cooled glove box, auto headlamps, and cruise control. Can the C3 compete? The C3 does miss out on a lot of features. It gets features like 10.2-inch infotainment, four speakers, wireless charging, wireless phone connectivity and remote keyless entry. However, that is all that the C3 gets. If you want a feature-loaded machine, the C3 will disappoint you in this department.
Tata Punch vs Citroen C3 – Pricing
The Punch starts from Rs 6.92 lakh and goes to Rs 11.15 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). For better comparison, let’s see only the manual pricing of the Punch as the C3 only comes with a manual gearbox. The manual variants of the Punch start from Rs 6.92 lakh and go to Rs 10.47 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). In comparison, the pricing of the C3 starts from Rs 6.73 lakh and goes to Rs 9.43 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
Conclusion
So should Punch buyers consider the C3? It is a bit complicated to answer this question. The C3 is bigger and comes with better engines, but the Punch takes the upper hand in its fit & finish, AMT option and overall quality of materials. What about the ride quality? The Punch is quite good, but Citroen as a brand is known for its comfort and it is no different on the C3. This hatchback has been developed keeping comfort at its top-most priority. So, if you want a well-rounded car that ticks all the boxes along with safety, the Punch is the car for you. However, if you can keep features and quality in your blind spot, the C3 becomes a great, fun-to-drive car for you. As mentioned above, the suspension setup too has been set for offering maximum comfort. However, the car has not been tested for safety yet, so nothing can be commented on that front. Which car excites you? Do let us know in the comments.
If you have car buying doubts click here to ask! Get the lowest price for car insurance here. For more such content stay subscribed to MotorOctane Youtube, Google News Facebook, and Twitter. Also, follow us on Flipboard and Reddit where we have a discussion community.
Comments