By Otsile Kadiege

Over the next two days, Tata South Africa is rolling out four new models in Mzansi: the Tiago, Punch, Curvv and Harrier. We kick things off with the brand’s entry level hatchback, the Tiago, and its compact SUV sibling, the Punch. Here’s what you need to know.

Tata Tiago exterior design and styling

The all new Tiago brings a fresh, sporty design to the compact hatchback segment. It features LED headlamps with smart LED DRLs, chrome accented fog lamps, a dual tone roof with a shark fin antenna, 15 inch alloy wheels and boomerang shaped tail lights.

Tata Tiago interior design and features

Inside, the cabin is a mix of comfort and tech. It offers dual tone plush melange seats, a height adjustable driver seat, a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other conveniences include automatic climate control and USB A and USB C charging ports.

Tata Tiago powertrain

Under the hood, the Tiago is powered by a 1.2 litre Revotron petrol engine delivering 63 kW and 113 Nm, paired with either a manual or AMT gearbox. Fuel efficiency is claimed at 5.0 L/100 km. Safety is solid, with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill hold control, a reverse camera, cruise control and push button start.

Driving impressions

The Tiago impresses with its feature rich cabin, strong safety offering and competitive pricing. Ride quality is commendable and it delivers decent performance for city driving. Drawbacks include build quality that could be better, front seating that feels a bit high, and a soft clutch on the manual that may be tricky for beginners.

Tata Tiago pricing

Pricing starts at R184,900 for the base model and goes up to R224,900 for the range topping derivative.

Tata Punch exterior design and styling

The Punch is Tata’s compact SUV with a bold presence inspired by the larger Harrier. Safety is a highlight, earning a Global NCAP five star rating. Key design elements include projector headlamps with LED DRLs, protective body cladding, bold LED tail lights and a dual tone roof.

Tata Punch interior design and features

The interior balances practicality with style. It offers Tri Arrow upholstery, 366 litres of boot space and either a 7 inch or floating 10.25 inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, push button start and an electric sunroof on select trims.

Tata Punch powertrain

Power comes from a 1.2 litre Revotron engine producing 65 kW and 115 Nm, available with a 5 speed manual or an automated manual transmission. The Punch is offered in five derivatives, priced from R244,900 to R339,900.

Driving impressions

The Punch packs an impressive number of features, but build quality leaves room for improvement. The AMT variant we drove felt sluggish with unnatural gear shifts, while manual buyers may enjoy a more engaging drive. It faces stiff competition in the compact SUV segment, so buyers will need to weigh its features against key rivals.

Both the Tiago and Punch show that Tata is serious about delivering feature rich, budget friendly cars to South African drivers. While build quality remains a concern, the value proposition and safety credentials make them worth considering.