A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
L4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Punch
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
L4
Punch
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
First-generation South African-market Tata Punch compact five-door SUV
Facelift History
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Introduced with Tata Passenger Vehicles' South African return in 2025; no South African facelift has been announced
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger Car
Spec
L4
Punch
Length
4406 mm
3827 mm
Width
1820 mm
1742 mm
Height
1635 mm
1615 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2445 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
187 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
159 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
35 l
Boot/Cargo Space
458 l
366 l
Kerb Weight
1346 kg
1059 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1844 kg
1483 kg
Payload Capacity
498 kg
424 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.275 m
5.0 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
940 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
870 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
890 mm
Spec
L4
Punch
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
1199 cc
Cylinders
4
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
12
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Multi-Point Injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
11.3:1
Bore
77.0 mm
77 mm
Stroke
80.5 mm
85.8 mm
Maximum Power
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
65 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
115 Nm @ 3250 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed DCT
5-Speed AMT
Top Speed
185 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
10.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, City
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80.2 kW/tonne
61.4 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
167.2 Nm/tonne
108.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
Punch
Gearbox
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
5-Speed AMT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
4.13:1
4.64
Number of Gears
6
5
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automated Manual Transmission
Clutch Type
Dual clutch
Automated dry single-plate clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automated manual gear selector
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
AMT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
5
Spec
L4
Punch
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
17.86 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
10.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
16.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
35 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6B
BS VI Phase 2
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
17.86 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
51
35
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
Punch
Airbags
6
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Through PEPS
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Through PEPS
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes - front seats
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Not Available
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
L4
Punch
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
L4
Punch
Seat Material
Faux leather
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Faux leather
Leather-wrapped
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power
Manual adjustable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Manual slide and recline
Seat Trim
Faux leather
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Spec
L4
Punch
Climate Control
Climate control
FATC
Power Windows
Front and rear
Front Rear
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Climate control
FATC
Spec
L4
Punch
Infotainment System
13.2-inch
Floating 10.5" Infotainment System
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless Connectivity
Android Auto
Standard
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch segment display
4" Digital Cluster
USB Ports
2
Front A and Fast C type USB
Infotainment Screen
13.2-inch
10.5-inch
Touchscreen
13.2-inch
10.5-inch
Spec
L4
Punch
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear
With Cornering Lamps
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Orcus White with Black Roof, Tornado Blue with White Roof, Calypso Red with White Roof, Daytona Grey with Black Roof, Tropical Mist with Black Roof
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Spec
L4
Punch
Approach Angle
20.0 deg
20.3 deg
Departure Angle
28.0 deg
37.6 deg
Wading Depth
400 mm
370 mm
Terrain Modes
No
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
18.5 deg
22.2 deg
Spec
L4
Punch
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
195/70 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Steel spare wheel, 185/70 R15
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Manual handbrake
Spec
L4
Punch
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Independent, Lower Wishbone, Mcpherson Strut with Coil Spring
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Semi-independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring and Shock Absorber
Spec
L4
Punch
CO2 Emissions
159 g/km
132 g/km
Spec
L4
Punch
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km
2 years / 30,000 km
Spec
L4
Punch
Ownership Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
New passenger vehicle
Price Zar
419900 ZAR
339900 ZAR
Pricing Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Recommended retail price
Starting Price
419900
339900
Starting Price Zar
419900
339900
Spec
L4
Punch
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
5 years / 125,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This L4 and Punch comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: L4 47 vs Punch 31.
Efficiency index: L4 56 vs Punch 68.
Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs Punch 44.
Practicality index: L4 59 vs Punch 61.
Ownership-cover index: L4 not separately scored vs Punch not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
L4 and Punch image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
L4 leads by 14 points
L4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Punch remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
Punch
Performance
31/100
Efficiency
68/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
61/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLEPAS L4
leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts
vs 50 pts for Punch
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, L4 leads. However, Punch may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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