Tata Nexon Test Drive Review: A Well-Rounded Bestseller that Ticks Most Boxes

A decade is a long time to stay relevant in a segment that seems like its reinventing itself every few years. The Tata Nexon has managed to not just survive the segment since its launch in 2017 but it’s been the sales king for years on end, looking on track for its best sales year yet in 2026. Last facelifted in 2023, with a new generation expected next year, the Nexon’s big sales numbers are proof that it’s popular. So this review focuses on the things that matter after the showroom visit: how it rides, how it drives, how usable the cabin is and which compromises you'll have to accept.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Six airbags, ESP and 5-star crash ratings from the base variant make the Nexon one of the safest sub-4 metre choices.
• Turbo petrol, diesel and CNG (with the choice of an EV alongside) mean almost every kind of buyer will find a fit.
• Ride comfort, ground clearance and features are the big draws, while refinement, fit and finish and Tata’s inconsistent after sales service are things to be wary of. 

SCORE BREAKDOWN

EXTERIOR DESIGN - 4 / 5

The Nexon’s front end has been reworked so thoroughly in its 2023 update that it barely looks like the car it replaced. It’s got a high hood line, slim DRLs joined by a faux grille, sharper bumpers and an upright stance that sits well with buyers nowadays. At the rear, new Y-shaped tail lights connected via a lightbar, that does a sweep when the car is unlocked, and a sharper-contoured bumper give it a contemporary look. The sweeping belt line also helps keep the Nexon’s profile youthful, now finally with a front and rear end with matching modernity instead of looking awkward. The sloping roofline looks great but does have a downside, as we’ll discuss in the next section. 

The Nexon’s 208mm of ground clearance is likely the number that’ll matter most for buyers who live in cities with really bad roads or roads that regularly flood. What will matter less but affects perceived quality nonetheless are the inconsistent panel gaps around areas like those modern tail lights we mentioned. The Nexon still looks fresh from a distance, but closer inspection reveals some of the cost-cutting beneath the surface.

INTERIOR & COMFORT - 3.3 / 5

The Nexon’s cabin looks modern, expensive and well-appointed at first glance, with its clean, layered layout and clever use of textures across surfaces. Twin 10.25-inch screens for infotainment and the digital instrumentation grab attention, both proving sharp, intuitive and responsive in use. The centre console controls keep toggles for the climate control but go capacitive touch buttons for everything else, which means taking your eyes off the road to switch from recirculate to fresh air on the AC, for example. Gloss black plastics look great, but as always, pick up smudges and scratches with use. 

The seats are supportive all around, with improvements in this area versus the previous Nexon making their presence felt. Some drivers may find visibility past the A-pillar limited by the wing mirrors, which by themselves provide an expansive rearward view. Outright room in the rear seat may be limited for taller passengers, who may find their head brushing the roof. The 382-litre boot provides sufficient cargo carrying capacity for a long weekend away but ultimately this is a sub-4 metre SUV so expectations must be kept in check. 

A critical eye will spot some cabin plastics that are behind what some of the Korean rivals offer. A longer look will also reveal the true age of the Nexon’s cabin, with hard-to-reach USB charging points in the central storage and a lack of proper cupholders. That aside, a long features list should appease even the most feature-hungry of buyers. 

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE - 3.5 / 5

1.2 Turbo Petrol
Power: 120 hp, Torque: 170 Nm
Transmission options: 5-speed manual, 6-speed AMT, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic

The Nexon’s 3-cylinder turbo petrol is essentially the volume-seller, better suited to city driving than the open highway. It’s more than happy driving around in an unhurried fashion in the city, but there are hints of turbo lag low in the rev range. Overtakes either require planning or a downshift, while the nature of the power delivery at lower city speeds can take some careful modulation on the throttle pedal to be smooth. The AMT is the affordable way to combat this for city driving, if you can drive around the head nod between shifts. The 7-speed DCA is the most refined way to enjoy this engine, but buyers need to be aware that this gearbox prioritises smooth shifts over outright snappiness of shifting, which is perfectly suited to its purpose. 

1.5 Diesel
Power: 115 hp, Torque: 260 Nm
Transmission options: 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT

Diesel is the choice for people who cover long distances. Healthy torque figures make for effortless progress starting from just under 2,000rpm, all the way to 4,000rpm. It also helps that overtakes can be made in-gear in most cases, especially at highway speeds, which makes this the most relaxing powertrain to drive. The engine uses a lean-NOx trap instead of AdBlue, reducing the need for periodic maintenance in that respect. 

1.2 Turbo CNG
Power: 100 hp, Torque: 170 Nm
Transmission options: 5-speed manual, 6-speed AMT

With power reduced for use with CNG, the engine’s response feels a little blunted and there’s a hint more noise and vibration under heavy acceleration when switching over from petrol. But then again, this is the sensible choice for budget conscious buyers. Considering the healthy sales figures for the Nexon CNG, sensible works better than outright performance for most buyers. The twin-cylinder setup means the boot is still usable.

RIDE & HANDLING - 4.1 / 5

Ride quality is the star of the Nexon’s arsenal. The suspension, though on the stiff side at low speeds, soaks up rough roads without complaint and the light steering makes city driving and parking less of a chore. For a family SUV with potentially multiple drivers and users, that's exactly the sort of predictable behaviour that makes the Nexon easy to live with. The steering weighs up enough at highway speeds to give confidence, with the chassis bringing stability for fatigue-free trips even over bad roads. The handling is very predictable, with the body roll letting you know when you’re approaching the limits in a corner without being alarming. 

FUEL EFFICIENCY - 3.9 / 5

The CNG carries an ARAI claim of about 24 km/kg, which is the headline number for high-mileage buyers, and real-world figures suggest it delivers on the low running cost promise. The diesel is the highway star, with an ARAI-certified 23-24 kmpl resulting in real-world figures falling between 16-20 kmpl depending on driving conditions. The petrol carries ARAI figures around 17 kmpl, with actual usage coming in around 11-15 kmpl depending on usage. 

SAFETY - 5 / 5

This is the Nexon's strongest suit. The car holds 5-star ratings from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, and every variant gets six airbags and ESP as standard. The platform is inherently strong, and the suite of safety features only reinforces that. A 360-deg camera system, for example, greatly helps parking in tight spaces. 

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

Variants run from Smart through Pure, Creative and Fearless, with feature content climbing at each step. Twin screens, ventilated seats and the 360-degree camera sit higher up the ladder, so check that the features you have prioritised are on the variant you plan on buying.

EXPERT PICK

1.2 Turbo Petrol DCA Creative+

This is the best all-rounder because it pairs the smoothest gearbox with the most complete feature list without stretching to the top price. You get the relaxed, jerk-free driving that suits Indian traffic, and the modern cabin tech that makes the Nexon feel current. Highway-heavy users should still consider the diesel.

RIVALS

Maruti Suzuki Brezza
A simpler, more established ownership proposition with a large service network, but it doesn't match the Nexon's crash-test rating or feature list.

Mahindra XUV 3XO
Strong performance and space make it a serious alternative, although its styling is more divisive.

Hyundai Venue
A polished package with more refined engines, but can’t match the Nexon’s ride quality finesse. 

Kia Sonet
Most premium-looking of the bunch, with prices to match unfortunately.

Tata Punch
The Nexon's own sibling is quicker and cheaper, but it gives up space to get there.

FINAL VERDICT

The Nexon's appeal is easy to understand, beyond online discussions. It’s safe from the base variant, comfortable on all kinds of roads and has a wide range of engines and gearboxes, alongside a wide variant choice, to suit any buyer’s budget. The Nexon will ask you to make some compromises, though, which will hopefully be fixed in the next generation, codenamed ‘Garud’ and expected in 2027. But for anyone looking to buy now, make sure your local Tata dealership and service centre have good reviews before you put your money down. The Nexon itself is a compelling package. The ownership experience can depend much more on the quality of your local Tata after-sales network.