Tata Punch vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno Comparison 2026: Price, Mileage, Features

Comparison overview: The Tata Punch starts at ₹5.70 L and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno at ₹6.10 L, a difference of ₹39.91 K ex-showroom. On-road in New Delhi that gap becomes roughly ₹44.30 K. Here is what the extra money actually buys.

Engine and performance: The Tata Punch uses a 1,199cc Petrol/CNG making 118bhp@5500rpm,72bhp@6000rpm and listed torque with Automatic/Manual. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno uses a 1,197cc Petrol/CNG making 82bhp@5700rpm and listed torque with Automatic/Manual.

Mileage and running cost: The Tata Punch Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual is rated at 18 kmpl to 20 kmpl,26.9 km/kg and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual at 23.8 - 24.77 kmpl. At 1,000 km a month, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno saves you about ₹1.06 K a month and ₹12.67 K a year on fuel.

Only the Tata Punch comes with a factory CNG option at 18 kmpl to 20 kmpl,26.9 km/kg, which is the cheapest way to run either car in the city.

Space and practicality: The Tata Punch takes 366 litres against 318, about 48 litres more. That is roughly one extra cabin-size bag of extra room.

What one gives that the other does not: The Tata Punch adds Child Safety Locks, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag and Day & Night Rear View Mirror. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno adds Petrol Mileage ARAI, Petrol Fuel Tank Capacity, Steering Gear Type, Turning Radius and Gross Weight. The rest of both spec sheets is shared.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Tata Punch if you drive mostly in the city, you want the lower running cost, and you would rather keep the ₹39.91 K for your down payment than spend it on features.

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Baleno if you do regular highway runs, you carry luggage or a pram often, and you want Engine Type without waiting for the next facelift.

The one thing that settles it: Tata Punch offers Child Safety Locks.

Before you sign anything:

Ex-showroom price is not what you pay. Add registration, road tax, insurance and handling, and expect the final figure to land ten to twelve percent higher. Road tax changes state to state, so a car that costs the same in two cities does not cost the same to own.

Ask the dealer four things before you book. What is the current waiting period for the variant you want. What is the on-road figure.

Then drive both cars back to back on the same day, on a road you actually use. Take your family. Put your usual luggage in the boot. Most people decide in the first ten minutes, and it is rarely for the reason they expected.