2021 Nexon EV owner considers buying Punch EV: Does it make sense?

Apart from the Nexon EV, I also own a Ford Figo diesel, Innova Hycross Hybrid, Carens Diesel AT, and Celerio AMT.

BHPian govind_kaniyath recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Nexon EV

I have clocked close to 48,000 km on my Nexon EV 2021. Back then, there was no long-range variant on sale.

Throughout the almost 3 years of ownership, this was the usage:

Mostly used by myself or my father as our car. The longest he takes the car is around 170 km one way. Does RFID card-based fast charging and returns?

Two of my uncles sometimes take it for trips which total about 150 km to and fro.

Aunt takes it for errands which is barely 10kms.

As I'm working in the EV charging industry, I occasionally take it on interstate road trips which go above 1000 km to and fro.

I was aware that next-gen Tata EVs are coming.

Acti.EV platform has some serious potential.

Just a couple of hours before the Punch EV launch event, I called up my local Tata dealership and took a booking for Punch EV. They told me I could choose the variant after a couple of days.

The main reason I took the booking was to not miss out on introductory prices "if" I decide to buy.

I expected to price for the LR variant to be close to Nexon EV's similar spec'd MR variant, but the pricing of 14.49L for the top variant is VFM!

Now comes the big question, whether I should replace the Nexon EV with this.

Punch EV Visit

Punch EV had reached my local showroom, I went to check it out. Though test drives didn't start yet.

Here are my quick observations, as I'm comparing this with my Nexon, I'll add those points too.

The colour

Tata's website shows the "Empowered Oxide" colour is different between Punch and Nexon. But in reality, it's identical.

Interiors

The infotainment system, instrument cluster, new two-spoke steering wheel, phygital AC panel, all add a far more premium feel compared to the ICE punch. The paddle shifter-based regen selector is a nice touch.

But apart from screens and steering the overall interior of Nexon feels more premium than a Punch because of much better plastics, proportions, airy feel, and leatherette padded portions on doors. Button controls for AC any day over touch controls. Also, I drive with Regen Max even on expressways. 3 years of EV ownership have sharpened my single-pedal driving skills. So the regen selector is not that important for me.

I'll call this a draw.

Seats and seating comfort

Front seats have different bolstering when compared to the ICE variant. On the shoulder part of the seat, it creates a "hugging" shape. The squab is flat when compared to Nexon.

Also, a weird thing I noticed was, that though ventilated seats were turned on to level 3, I didn't feel any air coming from the seat squab (back support). Hycross and Carens have ventilated seats, on those I could feel it. Not sure if this is an issue with this particular model.

The seats are not full leatherette, on the sides, it's fabric.

When compared to Nexon, apart from ventilation, Nexon's seats are far better in every way.

Rear seats

Acti.EV platform promises better space efficiency than the Ziptron platform.

In the LR variant that I checked out, the floor is raised when compared to the ICE version. But, it's not as raised as the Nexon LR version. Nexon MR has the best rear seats.

Also, there was a rod behind the front driver seat which was touching my shin when I was seated in the rear. I'm 6'1 for reference.

The win goes to my Nexon here.

Nexon 1: Punch 0

Tech

Pure EV platform, arcade.EV, 360° cameras, slick infotainment.

Caveats: No V2V/V2V, still using cylindrical cells instead of prismatic.

Still, Punch takes the win.

Nexon 1: Punch 1

Boot

Nexon not only gets a spare wheel but also has more usable space than punch.

Nexon 2: Punch 1

Road Presence

Even with the new front fascia and DRL, it's unmistakably a punch. Nexon has much more SUVness.

Nexon 3: Punch 1

Now comes the EV-specific things

Range

Tata hasn't disclosed the weight of Tata Punch.

If we assume Nexon MR, Tiago and Tigor get about 200 km range and Nexon LR gets about 260km range, then this should be where the range lies in between for Punch LR:

• If the Punch has Tigor weight, then 270 km.
• If the Punch has Tiago weight, then 290 km.
• If the Punch weighs more, the range will decrease.

But I feel it will at least give Nexon LR-like range.

Nexon 3: Punch 2

Charging

My Nexon has a 3.3kW onboard charger, whereas Punch has a 7kW OBC.

Also, both cars have a 0.75C DC charging rate (75% charge in one hour). Though it's slow, the Punch will take 26.5kW compared to 21kW in Nexon.

Punch also has a charging port in the front.

Nexon 3: Punch 3

Architecture

This will determine how soon the car remains without getting outdated.

Also, no wires hanging underneath the Punch.

Obvious win for Acti.EV-powered Punch.

Nexon 3: Punch 4

Ride quality

Nexon will feel much more plusher and better than Punch EV.

Nexon 4: Punch 4

Headroom

Punch is taller than Nexon. But the sunroof looks like an afterthought on the punch. I had test-driven the punch ICE when it was launched, I didn't have any headroom issues back then.

On the Punch EV with the sunroof, my head hit the sunroof assembly. I had to adjust the seat to get a 2 finger space in between.

Also, when seated in the rear, you can only see a tiny portion of the sunroof. The assembly where the sunroof retracts hides the view of the glass area.

When I sat in the ICE version of Punch at the dealership, the headroom difference was massive.

Also, the sunroof cover feels flimsy.

Nexon doesn't have any such issues.

Nexon 5: Punch 4

Headlights

I had done a painstaking OEM quality HID/LED upgrade on my Nexon making night rides much more stress-free. With Punch having fixed LEDs, they can't match my Nexon's lights nor can I swap them into the Punch.

Now bulbs in Nexon prefacelift can be swapped with Tata-approved LEDs which are 60W per bulb.

Nexon 6: Punch 4

Here are some other things which I noticed in the Punch EV

The Main battery disconnect was underneath the car in my Nexon. It has now moved inside the bonnet alongside the HV disconnect.

Also, I saw a post in TeslaClubOfIndia which shows a photo of the spec plate of the battery pack.

It says the cell type is cylindrical. I don't understand why Tata would opt for less space-efficient cylindrical cells instead of far superior "prismatic cells".

Punch EV presentation says better space efficiency, I guess that's a minor packaging difference then.

eC3 uses prismatic cells, and BYD blade cells are prismatic.

Now comes the big question, Should I replace my Nexon EV with a Punch EV?

Apart from EV-specific things, Nexon triumphs Punch in every regard.

Most people will have Nexon as their only car or second car.

To those people, it makes sense to retain the Nexon itself.

If you get the Punch, it will feel like a downgrade.

But in my case, I'm lucky to have access to a multi-car garage of Figo 2nd gen Diesel, Hycross Hybrid, Carens Diesel AT, and Celerio AMT.

The former 3 are far better cruisers than the Nexon EV or the Punch EV.

So, I value the EV aspects more than the car aspects. Also, the usage of EVs would increase as my family members would also take them for trips which the Nexon couldn't do on a single charge. Thus, I'm planning to replace the Nexon with the punch.

However, I'm waiting for real-world range figures.

Also, I had done a painstaking OEM quality HID/LED upgrade on my Nexon making night rides much more stress-free. With Punch having fixed LEDs, they can't match my Nexon's lights nor can I swap them into the Punch.

For those who are planning to buy the Tiago EV, I'd recommend getting the Punch.

For those who are planning to buy the new Nexon EV or XUV 400, pure EV/ Born EVs are right around the corner. Curvv EV should launch in June. I'd suggest to wait for that.

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