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
Which One's Right for You?
Punch
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
UNI-S
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
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
Punch
UNI-S
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
First-generation South African-market Tata Punch compact five-door SUV
First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History
Introduced with Tata Passenger Vehicles' South African return in 2025; no South African facelift has been announced
No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger Car
Passenger car
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Length
3827 mm
4539 mm
Width
1742 mm
1865 mm
Height
1615 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2445 mm
2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
187 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
159 mm
167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
366 l
475 l
Kerb Weight
1059 kg
1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1483 kg
1825 kg
Payload Capacity
424 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
0 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.0 m
5.66 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
940 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
870 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
890 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Engine
1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
NE15TG-AC
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1199 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
3
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
12
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
11.3:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
77 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
85.8 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
65 kW @ 6000 rpm
138 kW
Maximum Torque
115 Nm @ 3250 rpm
300 Nm
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
5-Speed AMT
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
190 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, City
3 selectable modes
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
61.4 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
108.6 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Punch
UNI-S
Gearbox
5-Speed AMT
7-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Not Officially Disclosed
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
4.64
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
5
7
Transmission Type
Automated Manual Transmission
DCT
Clutch Type
Automated dry single-plate clutch
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automated manual gear selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
AMT
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
5
7
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Claimed Mileage
17.86 km/l
14.49 km/l
City Mileage
10.7 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
16.9 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
51 l
Emission Standard
BS VI Phase 2
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
17.86 km/l
14.49 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
35
51
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Not Available
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Through PEPS
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Yes
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Through PEPS
Yes
Hill Hold
Not Available
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Side Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Not Available
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear (6 sensors)
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Park Assist
Not Available
Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Around View Monitor
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Yes
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Seat Material
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Microfiber leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Front seat cushions
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Leather-wrapped
Microfiber leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustable
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual slide and recline
4-way electric
Seat Trim
Tri Arrow Design Fabric Seat
Microfiber leather
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Climate Control
FATC
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Front Rear
All four windows; one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Standard
Passive entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Electric panoramic sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
FATC
Automatic climate control
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Infotainment System
Floating 10.5" Infotainment System
12.8-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Connectivity
Yes
Android Auto
Wireless Connectivity
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
4" Digital Cluster
10.25-inch instrument display
USB Ports
Front A and Fast C type USB
1 USB-A and 1 USB-C in front
Infotainment Screen
10.5-inch
12.8-inch
Touchscreen
10.5-inch
12.8-inch
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
With Cornering Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Not Available
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
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
Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, Fluorite Grey, Moon White
Headlights
Not Available
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Yes
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Approach Angle
20.3 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
37.6 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
370 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
22.2 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Tyre Size
195/70 R16
225/55 R19
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Steel spare wheel, 185/70 R15
Temporary-use spare
Wheel Rim Size
16-inch
19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Manual handbrake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Front Suspension
Independent, Lower Wishbone, Mcpherson Strut with Coil Spring
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring and Shock Absorber
Multi-link independent
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
CO2 Emissions
132 g/km
179 g/km
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Service Plan
2 years / 30,000 km
5 years / 90,000 km
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Ownership Role
New passenger vehicle
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
339900 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Recommended retail price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
339900
469900
Starting Price Zar
339900
469900
Spec
Punch
UNI-S
Warranty
5 years / 125,000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
In depth: how these cars differ
This Punch and UNI-S 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: Punch 31 vs UNI-S 59.
Efficiency index: Punch 68 vs UNI-S 55.
Safety-equipment index: Punch 44 vs UNI-S 92.
Practicality index: Punch 61 vs UNI-S 68.
Ownership-cover index: Punch not separately scored vs UNI-S 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
Punch and UNI-S 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
UNI-S leads by 19 points
UNI-S holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Punch.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
UNI-S
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
68/100
Punch
Performance
31/100
Efficiency
68/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
61/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan UNI-S
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 50 pts for Punch
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S 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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