Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon SUV offers three powertrain choices. The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol is the more versatile option for mixed city and highway use, the iCNG focuses on running costs, while the 1.5-litre diesel is better suited to buyers who regularly cover long distances.

Engine Options

City Performance

The turbo-petrol is smooth at low and mid-range speeds and works well in everyday traffic. The DCA is the better automatic for buyers who want quicker and smoother gearshifts. The iCNG is primarily suited to regular city commuting, especially where CNG is easily available.

It takes just a quick test drive to note that among all, the diesel feels the strongest under hard acceleration. Its torque delivery is fairly linear and helps you tackle city streets and expressways without frequent gearshifts. You’ll even appreciate the light clutch (for a diesel), but the AMT is somewhat laggy and jerky. This becomes clearly evident under hard acceleration. 

Highway Performance

The turbo-petrol is comfortable at 100-120 kmph, although overtaking at higher speeds needs more throttle input. The CNG version is comfortable at steady highway speeds but feels less effortless when pushed harder.

Once again, among all the engine variants, it’s the diesel that emerges as the best choice. It’s a more relaxed performer than petrol and CNG versions. Overtaking is relatively easier as it requires less planning. While the petrol DCA is the smoothest of the lot, the diesel is the definite mile-muncher among all. 

Who Should Pick Which Engine?

• Turbo-petrol: Best suited to buyers who want a refined all-rounder and prefer the DCA automatic.
• CNG: A sensible choice for high city running and buyers with convenient access to CNG.
• Diesel: Better suited to buyers who regularly cover long distances and want stronger highway performance.

The Tata Nexon car lineup is divided into four major families: Smart, Pure, Creative and Fearless. The higher trims progressively add convenience, infotainment and premium features.

Smart

Smart is the entry point to the range and already includes the core safety package. Smart Plus adds basic infotainment and other convenience features. These variants make sense for buyers who want the Nexon's safety equipment without paying for the higher-end features.

Pure: Practical Upgrade

Pure variants add useful everyday equipment such as the 10.25-inch touchscreen, height-adjustable driver's seat and rear AC vents. This is a sensible step up for buyers who expect to use the car regularly with family.

Creative: Feature-Rich Sweet Spot

Creative adds equipment such as alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control and a 360-degree camera on relevant variants. Creative Plus S adds further equipment, including the sunroof. For many buyers, this is the point where the Nexon gets most of the features they are likely to use without moving to the top of the range.

Fearless: Premium Experience

Fearless variants add equipment such as the digital driver display, leatherette upholstery, air purifier and selected ADAS features. They are aimed at buyers who want the maximum equipment level rather than simply the basic Nexon package.

The Tata Nexon is not the mileage leader across every powertrain, but the diesel offers strong claimed efficiency for a compact SUV. The ARAI-rated figures listed in the Nexon brochure are:

• Petrol: 17.01-17.44 kmpl
• Diesel: 23.23-24.08 kmpl

• CNG: 17.44 km/kg

   

Actual mileage will vary with traffic, driving style, air-conditioning use, tyre pressure and vehicle load.

The Tata Nexon SUV uses Tata's current design language, with sharper lines, an upright stance and a connected lighting signature at the front. The side profile gets 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on higher variants, while gloss-black elements add contrast.

At the rear, the connected tail lamps and concealed rear wiper give the tailgate a cleaner appearance. The 208 mm ground clearance is also useful on Indian roads, particularly over broken surfaces and taller speed breakers.

The Camo Edition, launched in August 2026, adds Munnar Mist and Coorg Cloud exterior colours along with Camo-specific badging. The basic exterior design remains unchanged.

The Nexon cabin is more modern than the earlier-generation model. The dashboard uses horizontal lines and slim vents, while the floating touchscreen gives the centre console a cleaner layout. Higher variants get leatherette upholstery, a flat-bottom steering wheel and additional soft-touch surfaces.

Space and Seating

The front seats are supportive enough for longer journeys. Rear legroom is adequate for two adults, while three adults across the rear bench will find the width restrictive. For a family of four, the Nexon is more comfortable than when carrying five adults regularly.

Storage space is not a strong point. Some of the cabin's smaller storage areas and cupholder placement could have been better thought out.

Tech and Usability

The 10.25-inch touchscreen is one of the Nexon's useful features, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay available on relevant variants. Higher variants also get a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 360-degree camera.

The Camo Edition adds a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 360-degree camera with dashcam functionality, a panoramic sunroof and Camo-themed leatherette upholstery.

Boot

The Tata Nexon offers 382 litres of boot space in petrol and diesel versions. The iCNG has 312 litres because of its twin-cylinder CNG setup. Higher variants get a 60:40 split-folding rear seatback, allowing larger items to be carried when required.

Safety is one of the Nexon's key strengths. The SUV gets six airbags as standard, along with ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child-seat mounts and parking sensors. The Nexon has a 5-star adult occupant protection rating under Bharat NCAP.

Selected higher variants also get Level-1 ADAS features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition.

For buyers who place a high priority on crash safety, the 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and standard six-airbag package are two of the Nexon's strongest reasons to consider it.

The Tata Nexon competes with the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. Its main differentiators are the availability of petrol, diesel and factory-fitted CNG powertrains, along with its Bharat NCAP safety rating.

Kia Sonet

The Sonet is a strong alternative for buyers who place more importance on cabin finish, equipment and the overall infotainment experience. It also offers a wider range of automatic options depending on the variant.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

The XUV 3XO is the more performance-oriented alternative, particularly with its turbo-petrol engine. Higher variants also offer Level-2 ADAS, giving it an advantage for buyers specifically looking for that technology.

Hyundai Venue

The Venue competes closely with the Nexon on size and features. Its strengths include cabin ergonomics, refinement and the equipment offered on higher variants.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

The Brezza is a petrol-and-CNG alternative with Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network and strong resale demand. It is worth considering for buyers who prioritise ownership convenience and service reach.

Even though the Tata Nexon has a lot going in its favour, there are some aspects in which it could have fared better. Hence, as a prospective buyer, one should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of a vehicle before making the final purchase decision. 

The New Nexon makes a strong case for buyers who prioritise safety, powertrain choice and everyday practicality. Its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, six standard airbags, 382-litre boot and availability with petrol, diesel and CNG give it a broad appeal.

The Nexon is less convincing if your priorities are the smoothest automatic, the most polished cabin ergonomics or the best rear-seat space for five adults. The Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue are worth considering for cabin refinement, while the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a stronger alternative for buyers focused on performance and higher-level ADAS.

Overall, the Tata Nexon remains a well-rounded compact SUV, particularly for buyers who want safety without giving up the choice of fuel or transmission.