The new Maruti Fronx compact SUV, which was introduced with a starting price of Rs. 7.47 lakh (ex-showroom), is a key product for Maruti. The Maruti Fronx, which is based on the Maruti Baleno, sits below the Maruti Brezza in Maruti’s lineup and will be sold by Maruti’s high-end subsidiary, Nexa. The Tata Punch, the market leader, will face the Maruti Fronx’s fiercest competition in terms of size, price, and features. As a result, we examine the differences between the Maruti Fronx and Tata Punch in this comparison in order to determine which one is more suited to your needs.
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Tata Punch vs. Maruti Fronx: Size
In comparison to the Tata Punch, the Maruti Fronx is 168 mm longer, 23 mm wider, and has a 75 mm longer wheelbase. The Maruti Fronx is 65 mm shorter than the Tata Punch. Therefore, even though both SUVs have enough accommodation for five passengers, the Maruti Frox has more legroom while the Tata Punch has more headroom. Additionally, the Punch’s 366 liters of baggage space appears to be a little more appealing than the Maruti Fronx’s 308 liters of boot space.
| Bootspace / Dicky Capacity (L) | 308 | 366 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 37 | 37 |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Length (mm) | 3995 | 3827 |
| Width (mm) | 1765 | 1742 |
| Height (mm) | 1550 | 1615 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2520 | 2445 |
| No of Seating Rows | 2 | 2 |
| No of Doors | 5 | 5 |
With a flat concave hood, enclosed gloss black grille with chrome outlining, split headlamp configuration with LED DRLs on top, and projector headlight cluster below, the Punch’s face is significantly influenced by the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari. The SUV’s powerful wheel arches, 187 mm of ground clearance, the rear door handles hidden in the C-pillar like those on the Tata Altroz, and the substantial black cladding covering the bottom portion of the SUV are all highlighted in the side profile. The muscular edges, ‘Y-shaped’ tri-arrow LED tail lamps, and bumper housing reflectors are all on display on the back of the Punch.
Engine and Gearbox Comparison: Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch
The Maruti Fronx outperforms the Tata Punch in terms of mechanics. The Maruti Fronx’s two engines are more potent and economical than the Tata Punch’s 1.2-liter petrol engine. Additionally, the Maruti Fronx’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol Boosterjet engine is praised for its performance-focused nature. The Maruti Fronx should become a fun-to-drive compact SUV as a result.
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual – 5 Gears | Manual – 5 Gears |
| Engine | 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC | 1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC |
| Engine Type | 1.2L Dual Jet, Dual VVT | 1.2 Revotron |
| Peak Power (bhp@rpm) | 89 bhp @ 6000 rpm | 84 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Peak Torque (Nm@rpm) | 113 Nm @ 4400 rpm | 115 Nm @ 3300 rpm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Others | Idle Start/Stop | Idle Start/Stop |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 | BS 6 |
With both engines, the Maruti Fronx provides mild hybrid technology, further insuring economical mileage. Tata Punch, on the other hand, has respectable power and mileage for urban use, and the Indian small SUV is up to the task of navigating city traffic.
Features and Comfort of the Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch
Both SUV interiors have a high-end feel, but they are different in terms of material and style. The dual-tone layered dashboard, trapezoidal framings for the 9-inch touchscreen, and trapezoidal central AC vents all appear to have been carried over to the Maruti Fronx from the Baleno. Tata used a minimalistic approach while designing the Punch, keeping everything sophisticated-looking, such as the simple dual-tone dashboard and rectangular AC vents at both sides of the dashboard. The elevated seating posture in Punch, which gives the passengers a commanding feeling, is what distinguishes it from other SUVs. Although the seats in both vehicles are comfortable, the Maruti Fronx lacks an armrest for the occupants in the back seat.
The Maruti Fronx does offer certain advantages over the Tata Punch in terms of features, such as the LED headlights, auto-dimming internal rear-view mirror, rear AC vents, and head-up display, even though both vehicles are well-equipped to deliver a luxury passenger experience. The rear AC vents improve the entire experience for back passengers, while the LED headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, and head-up display substantially improve driving ease.
Safety Features of the Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch
The Tata Punch outperforms the Maruti Fronx in terms of passenger safety. The Tata Punch’s 5-star G-NCAP certification attests to the robustness of the imposing structure that would protect passengers in the event of a catastrophic accident. Furthermore, the Indian small SUV includes all of the necessary safety elements to maximise safety.
| NCAP Rating (Best – 5 Star) | Not Tested | 5 Star (Global NCAP) |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) | 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) |
| Seat Belt Warning | ✔ | ✔ |
| Child Lock | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anchor Points for Child Seat | ✔ | ✔ |
| Speed Sensing Door Lock | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti theft Engine immobilizer | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central Locking | Keyless | With Key |
| Puncture Repair Kit | ✖ | ✔ |
Maruti, on the other hand, has placed a high value on safety and equipped Fronx with a host of safety measures. Furthermore, the availability of six airbags will make Fronx one of the most economical six-airbag vehicles. The Maruti Fronx is built on the well-known HEARTECT platform, and it has to be seen how well it performs in the G-NCAP safety test.
Overview: Maruti Fronx vs Tata Punch
The comparison does tip the scales in favour of Tata Punch due to its price and safety, which is critical by any measure. The Maruti Fronx appears to be another Maruti family-friendly, decent-looking, comfortable, and fuel-efficient vehicle. However, at significantly lower pricing, the Tata Punch promises a strong road presence and, most importantly, a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP. So, if you’re searching for a comfy compact SUV that gets good mileage and is fun to drive, the Maruti Fronx is a good option. The Tata Punch, on the other hand, is a formidable butch-looking SUV that is very safe and can be acquired on a far cheaper budget.