Tata Nexon : The Tata Nexon has been climbing the list to become one of India’s most desired compact SUVs. And with its distinctive look, strong safety package and polished performance, it is easy to see why the Nexon has connected with city buyers.
Be it a tech-savvy urbanite or young parents looking for a robust family car, there’s a lot, at a reasonably affordable price point, for the masses in the Nexon.
Let’s discover what sets this compact SUV apart — and where it still has a lot of catching up to do.
Tata Nexon Design and Road Presence
Take one look at the Tata Nexon and you can see the brand has abandoned safe designs. Its front profile gets sporty curves along with a sportier grille, signature LED DRLs and a brawny bumper.
It has a sporty feel throughout, from the coupe-like roofline to the muscular wheel arches to the rear LED taillamps.
Nexon is a small vehicle that manages to carry a larger road presence vibe to it. Its 16-inch alloy wheels, high ground clearance and dual-tone paint options add to its SUV look, without crossing the line into caricature.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, its cabin greets you with a layered dashboard, quality bits all around, and a cleverly integrated 10.25-inch touchscreen in the top end variants.
The overall interior layout is driver oriented, and the steering with ‘illuminated’ Tata logo gives the dash a futuristic appeal.
The front seats are broad and well-padded with good under-thigh support. The one on the back seat is not bad in terms of leg room, headroom and rear AC vents — and is suitable for long drives.
The boot is a practical 382 litres for every day activities and weekend escapes.
Engine and Performance
The Nexon is available in either:
A 1.2-litre turbo-petrol that puts out 118 bhp and 170 Nm
1.5-litre turbo-diesel that makes 113 bhp and 260 Nm
The transmissions on offer are a 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT, and in the face-lifted version, a 7-speed DCT (for petrol). The petrol is super zippy, smooth and much at home in the city while the diesel has a strong gearband for the highways and can overtake easily.
One of Nexon’s strengths is the ride quality. The soft ride seems impervious to potholes and patched pavement, and body roll is reasonably well checked.
It’s no corner carver, but it provides confidence-inspiring dynamics, particularly for daily use.
Features and Tech
Here are some ‘New Age’ characteristics of the revamped Nexon:
A digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch infotainment with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
Ventilated front seats
Wireless charging
Sunroof
IRA 2.0 with connected car technology
Voice control and OTA updates
Infotainment system’s UI is better, though some users experience lag issues.
Safety and Build Quality
Safety has always been one of Tata’s greatest focal points, and it is reflected in the Nexon. It was the first Indian car to score a 5-star Global NCAP crash rating. It features six airbags (on top trims), ESP, hill hold function, ISOFIX mounts, rear park camera with dynamic guidelines.
You can tell straight away that the body feels very big and strong and well built once you close the doors.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
5-star safety rated by Global NCAP
Bold, SUV-like styling
Comfortable ride quality
Feature-rich top variants
Diesel option still available
Decent ground clearance and city maneuverability
Cons:
AMT can be bit slow some times Decimal Field Drag to add AMT.
Limited rear visibility
Infotainment software is a bit dated
Fit and finish for lower variants is rudimentary
Does not get best in class gas mileage
Tata Nexon Final Verdict
The Tata Nexon is a model that offers a solid package of design, drive, safety and space. But it is more than just the sum of all that is affordable about a little SUV: It seems to be a car built specifically for the roads and families in India.
Whether in city traffic or on the highway, the Nexon does it with élan.
For those who want a feature-packed, safe and assured drive without breaking the bank, the Nexon remains one of the smartest picks in the compact SUV space.