Tata Nexon 2017-2023

Still the Best?

The Tata Nexon is one of the oldest subcompact SUVs on sale in India. With competitors introducing new-gen models and facelifts, Tata Motors does have a few battles on its hands. But there are a few USPs that Tata has with its Nexon. The model — while being old now — still looks fresh and handsome, and at par with its rivals. Tata Motors also keeps introducing special edition models now and then adding variety to the Nexon lineup. It is also the safest subcompact SUV, with a 5-star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant crash protection. The question is, is all of that enough? The average Indian buyer thinks so, as it is one of the best-selling SUVs in India. Here’s what we think.

Tata Nexon Pros and Cons 

Tata Nexon Exterior Design 

The Tata Nexon has been in the Indian market for a while now, but the mid-cycle facelift and a few other design changes have kept the Nexon’s design fresh. It gets many coloured inserts all over the body, including on the front grille and fog lamp cavities, along the door sills, and between the two tail lights. The inserts vary depending on which edition the car is. EVs get blue, dark editions get blacked out, the Kaziranga edition gets grey, and standard variants get white inserts. The Nexon is a sub-4-metre SUV, but the compact dimensions don’t hurt its proportions in any way. It looks like a proper SUV, and not like a jacked-up hatch that has an identity crisis. The 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 sized tyres also look properly sized for the car, unlike a few other SUVs nowadays which look under-tyred. The entry-level variants though, get slightly narrower 195/60 R16 tyres.

As is the case with most new Tata cars, the Nexon gets plenty of Tata’s signature ‘tri-arrow’ inserts as well. The headlights and tail lights, both have tri-arrow LED inserts, and the front grille is also covered with coloured tri-arrow elements. Even the door claddings have a 3D shape of a tri-arrow. Overall, the design of the Nexon remains pleasing to the eye, with no elements that stand as eyesores. 

Tata Nexon Interiors 

The Nexon’s interior has a premium fit and finish, but some bits are not at par with certain newer rivals. There are plenty of tri-arrow design elements throughout the dual-tone finished cabin — on the door panels, seats, and dashboard for example. The seats are comfortable and well-contoured, and there’s plenty of knee and headroom for rear passengers. With its wide-body design, the rear seat can also seat three passengers comfortably. Front seats also get ventilation, which is a creature comfort we love, especially given our climate. The boot is also a respectable 350 litres, which should be enough for your luggage needs.

Tata Nexon Comfort 

The Tata Nexon, when compared to its rivals, is slightly stiffer on the suspension front, as it’s heavier than one would expect. However, the suspension stiffness is not bothersome at all, and the Nexon continues to flatten bumps and round off potholes to a great extent. The suspension stiffness translates to great highway stability too, and the Nexon holds itself well even at high speeds. The seats add to its cause, being well cushioned. There’s ample under-thigh support both at the front and rear, and the cabin is roomy as well.

Tata Nexon Performance and Handling

Apart from the electric versions, the Tata Nexon has two engine options on offer — a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel. Both engines are mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed AMT transmission. Along with the mid-cycle facelift, Tata Motors also uprated its petrol engine, giving it a 10 bhp increase. The petrol unit now puts out 118 bhp and 170 Nm of torque. The engine being a 3-cylinder unit has some refinement issues at lower rpms, but as revs build up the engine smoothens out. The engine performs best in the mid-range, and while it can rev beyond 5,500 rpm there’s not much performance there. 

The diesel engine on the other hand is torquey. It puts out 113 bhp and a meaty 260 Nm torque figure, but it struggles at low rpms. You may find yourself having to shift down a gear or two to get a move on, but once you do, the performance levels are good. The gearbox, however, isn’t the best. The clutch, though light, is a bit snappy, and the gear throws are also long. It does have an AMT gearbox on offer, but it comes with the same niggles that all AMTs face — slower and snappy shifts.

Handling on the other hand is one of Nexon’s strengths. The slightly stiffer suspension makes the Nexon an agile handler, and you will have fun throwing it around corners. It can also handle most roads well, dealing with the rough stuff with a sense of maturity. Highway stability is also good, and you can’t make the Nexon lose composure easily. 

Tata Nexon Key Specifications 

Tata Nexon Safety Features

The Tata Nexon famously became the first Indian car to score a 5-star crash test rating by Global NCAP, making it one of the safest cars in the segment. The Nexon gets all the basic safety features like ABS, EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, TPMS, and more, but gets only two airbags. Some welcome inclusions are traction control, roll-over mitigation, and hydraulic brake assist.

Tata Nexon Technology and Infotainment

The Tata Nexon gets a 7-inch infotainment system that has started to show its age. The system gets basic connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and is paired to an 8-speaker Harman sound system, which sounds great. It gets a digital instrument cluster, but the small display is crammed with information and doesn’t look the cleanest. Other features on offer include a wireless phone charger, air purifier, cruise control, sunroof, auto climate control, and more.

Is the Tata Nexon for you?

While it is one of the older models on offer in the segment, the Tata Nexon is still one of the most popular compact SUVs because of the mix it provides. It is not the most feature-rich amongst its competitors, but the Nexon still packs in all the key features that you’d require. It is also one of the safest cars in its segment and is stable on all kinds of roads. Throw it in a corner and you would have fun doing that too, all while not compromising on comfort. Yes, the petrol engine could’ve been a little more spirited, and the gearbox on offer could’ve been more slick, but overall, the Tata Nexon is still a very compelling package.