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 PerformancePublished Practicality
Punch
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Pajero Sport
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Punch
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Model Introduced Year
2017
2025
Generation
Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
First-generation South African-market Tata Punch compact five-door SUV
Facelift History
South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Introduced with Tata Passenger Vehicles' South African return in 2025; no South African facelift has been announced
Facelift Launched Since
Current specification
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Passenger Car
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Length
4825 mm
3827 mm
Width
1815 mm
1742 mm
Height
1805 mm
1615 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2445 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
218 mm
187 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
159 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
68 l
35 l
Boot/Cargo Space
193 l
366 l
Kerb Weight
2080 kg
1059 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2775 kg
1483 kg
Payload Capacity
695 kg
424 kg
Towing Capacity
2850 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
3 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.0 m
Front Headroom
1022 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
957 mm
940 mm
Front Legroom
1067 mm
870 mm
Rear Legroom
880 mm
890 mm
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Engine
2.4-litre Intercooled Turbocharged Diesel
1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
4N15
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2442 cc
1199 cc
Cylinders
4
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
12
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
Multi-Point Injection
Compression Ratio
15.5:1
11.3:1
Bore
86 mm
77 mm
Stroke
105.1 mm
85.8 mm
Maximum Power
133 kW @ 3500 rpm
65 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
430 Nm @ 2500 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
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
5-Speed AMT
Top Speed
180 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
11.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
18.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Eco, City
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
4500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
63.9 kW/tonne
61.4 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
206.7 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
Pajero Sport
Punch
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
5-Speed AMT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, selectable four-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Active Limited Slip Differential (brake control)
No
Transfer Case
Super Select 4WD-II
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear differential lock
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
3.692
4.64
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automated Manual Transmission
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Automated dry single-plate clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Automated manual gear selector
Drivetrain
4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Selectable electronically
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Rotary selector
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-Speed Automatic
AMT
Low Range Ratio
2.566
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x4
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
5
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Claimed Mileage
12.3 km/l
17.86 km/l
City Mileage
9.9 km/l
10.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
14.2 km/l
16.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
68 l
35 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
BS VI Phase 2
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No
Standard
Real-world Mileage
12.3 km/l
17.86 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
68
35
Combined Driving Range
84
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
868 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
781 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Airbags
7
2
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
No
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Through PEPS
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
AEB
No
Not Available
BA
Yes
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Through PEPS
Hill Hold
Yes
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Not Available
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
No
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
No
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
No
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
No
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
No
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
No
Not Available
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Seat Material
Leather
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather-wrapped
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power adjustable
Manual adjustable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustable
Manual slide and recline
Seat Trim
Leather-appointed
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
FATC
Power Windows
Front and rear
Front Rear
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
No
Standard
Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
FATC
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Infotainment System
Smartphone-link Display Audio
Floating 10.5" Infotainment System
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless Connectivity
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Colour multi-information display
4" Digital Cluster
USB Ports
Front and rear
Front A and Fast C type USB
Infotainment Screen
8-inch
10.5-inch
Touchscreen
8-inch
10.5-inch
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
LED Headlamps
Yes
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
With Cornering Lamps
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
White Diamond, Graphite Grey Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Jet Black Mica
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
Yes
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Approach Angle
30 deg
20.3 deg
Departure Angle
24.2 deg
37.6 deg
Wading Depth
700 mm
370 mm
Terrain Modes
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Not Available
Locking Differential
Rear differential lock
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Super Select 4WD-II
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
23.1 deg
22.2 deg
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Tyre Size
265/60 R18
195/70 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size alloy
Steel spare wheel, 185/70 R15
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch alloy
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Manual handbrake
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Front Suspension
Double wishbone with coil spring
Independent, Lower Wishbone, Mcpherson Strut with Coil Spring
Rear Suspension
Three-link rigid axle with coil spring
Semi-independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring and Shock Absorber
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
CO2 Emissions
214 g/km
132 g/km
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Service Plan
5 years / 90,000 km; 10,000 km intervals
2 years / 30,000 km
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Ownership Role
New vehicle sold through Mitsubishi Motors South Africa
New passenger vehicle
Price Zar
904990 ZAR
339900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Official South African recommended retail price
Recommended retail price
Starting Price
904990
339900
Starting Price Zar
904990
339900
Spec
Pajero Sport
Punch
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
5 years / 125,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Pajero Sport 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: Pajero Sport 65 vs Punch 31.
Efficiency index: Pajero Sport 49 vs Punch 68.
Safety-equipment index: Pajero Sport 72 vs Punch 44.
Practicality index: Pajero Sport 71 vs Punch 61.
Ownership-cover index: Pajero Sport 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
Pajero Sport 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
Pajero Sport leads by 15 points
Pajero Sport holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Punch.
Performance
Pajero Sport +34
Efficiency
Punch +19
Safety
Pajero Sport +28
Practicality
Pajero Sport +10
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Pajero Sport
Performance
65/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
72/100
Practicality
71/100
Punch
Performance
31/100
Efficiency
68/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
61/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMitsubishi Pajero Sport
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 50 pts for Punch
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Pajero Sport 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.
Compare
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