Tata Nexon: In India’s fiercely competitive compact SUV segment, few vehicles have managed to carve as distinctive an identity as the Tata Nexon.

From its groundbreaking debut as India’s first 5-star GNCAP-rated car to its recent comprehensive facelift, the Nexon has continuously evolved while maintaining its core appeal.

This detailed review explores how this homegrown champion has matured through thoughtful iteration, addressing consumer feedback while reinforcing the attributes that established its reputation in this crowded market segment.

Tata Nexon: Design Philosophy: Bold Evolution

The latest iteration of the Nexon represents the most significant visual overhaul since its introduction, embracing a more assertive design language that Tata calls “Curvv.”

At 3995mm in length, it maximizes the sub-four-meter tax advantage while presenting a more substantial road presence than its dimensions might suggest.

The front fascia features a completely redesigned look with a split headlamp setup—slim LED DRLs that double as turn indicators positioned above, while the main projector headlamps sit lower in the bumper.

This arrangement creates a distinctive light signature that ensures the Nexon remains instantly recognizable even at night. The prominent grille with its parametric pattern adds visual interest without appearing excessive.

In profile, the Nexon maintains its coupe-inspired silhouette with the signature white ceramic highlight line that visually breaks the roof from the body, though now executed with greater subtlety than the original design.

The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels feature a more intricate design that adds premium appeal while maintaining durability for Indian road conditions.

The rear completes the transformation with connected LED tail lamps spanning the width of the vehicle, creating a modern appearance that aligns with global design trends while remaining distinctively Tata.

The bumper integrates reflectors and a silver skid plate element that reinforces the SUV credentials without resorting to excessive cladding.

Available in seven monotone and three dual-tone color options, including the striking new Flame Red and Creative Ocean Blue, the Nexon offers ample personalization without compromising its cohesive design identity.

The execution demonstrates Tata’s growing confidence in its design direction, moving beyond the sometimes awkward proportions of earlier models to create a vehicle with genuine visual appeal.

Cabin Experience: Substantial Upgrade

Step inside the refreshed Nexon, and the evolutionary approach becomes immediately apparent through a complete redesign that addresses many criticisms of the previous generation.

The layered dashboard adopts a more horizontal orientation with a floating-style 10.25-inch touchscreen taking center stage, complemented by a matching 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster on higher variants.

Material quality shows notable improvement, with soft-touch elements on the dashboard and door panels creating a more premium tactile experience.

The two-tone color scheme with contrast stitching elevates perceived quality, while ambient lighting adds visual warmth during night driving.

Most impressive is the attention to detail in areas often overlooked in this segment, such as the damped operation of storage compartments and the substantial feel of switchgear.

Interior Features	Nexon	Competitor A	Competitor B
Touchscreen Size	10.25 inches	9 inches	8 inches
Digital Instrument	10.25 inches	7 inches	Analog with MID
Ambient Lighting	Yes – 31 colors	Single color	No
Ventilated Seats	Front row	No	No
Audio System	9-speaker JBL	6-speaker	4-speaker
Wireless Charging	15W with cooling	10W	No
Sunroof	Single-pane	No	Single-pane

 

Seating comfort benefits from redesigned cushioning and bolstering, with the front seats offering good support during longer journeys.

The addition of ventilated front seats—a segment-first feature—proves invaluable during hot Indian summers.

Rear accommodations provide adequate space for two adults and a child, with acceptable knee room and headroom despite the sloping roofline. The 382-liter boot capacity falls within segment expectations, offering practical utility for weekend getaways.

Particularly noteworthy is the dramatic improvement in ergonomics, with controls positioned more intuitively than in the previous generation.

The new electronic parking brake replaces the awkward aircraft-style handbrake lever, freeing up console space while adding a premium touch.

The redesigned center console incorporates thoughtful storage solutions including a dedicated smartphone shelf with wireless charging.

Technology Integration: Contemporary and Connected

The Nexon demonstrates Tata’s commitment to technological advancement through a comprehensive suite of features that enhance both convenience and safety.

The 10.25-inch Harman-developed infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with an interface that balances visual appeal with functional clarity.

The iRA connected car technology provides over 50 features accessible via smartphone, including remote functions, location-based services, and vehicle diagnostics.

Voice command functionality works reliably for phone, navigation, and media controls, minimizing driver distraction during common tasks.

The 9-speaker JBL audio system delivers impressive sound quality with balanced frequency response and adequate volume without distortion—a genuine surprise at this price point.

The digital instrument cluster offers multiple display themes and customization options, presenting essential information clearly while allowing drivers to prioritize the data most relevant to their preferences.

Advanced driver assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert—a comprehensive safety package that exceeds segment standards and approaches the offerings of vehicles in higher price brackets.

These features function with reassuring consistency rather than the false alarms or missed detections that plague some competitors’ implementations.

The 360-degree camera system deserves special mention for its high-resolution display and thoughtful interface that provides both split-view and 3D visualization options, significantly enhancing maneuverability in tight urban environments.

This feature alone often justifies the premium for higher trim levels, particularly for drivers who frequently navigate congested city streets.

Powertrain Options: Choice and Refinement

The Nexon continues to offer both petrol and diesel powertrains, a strategic advantage as several competitors have abandoned diesel options despite continued demand in certain market segments:

• 1.2L turbocharged petrol: 120PS and 170Nm

• 1.5L turbocharged diesel: 115PS and 260Nm

Both engines come paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (replacing the previous AMT) for petrol, while the diesel receives a 6-speed AMT option.

The introduction of the DCT represents a significant upgrade, delivering smoother and more responsive shifts that transform the driving experience compared to the sometimes jerky operation of the earlier automated manual.

Refinement levels show meaningful improvement across both powertrains, with additional sound insulation and revised engine mounts reducing vibration and harshness.

The petrol variant benefits from a more linear power delivery that reduces the abrupt surge that characterized the previous iteration, creating a more predictable driving experience in urban conditions.

Drive modes (Eco, City, and Sport) meaningfully alter throttle response, steering weight, and transmission shift patterns rather than functioning as mere marketing features.

The differences between modes prove substantial enough to warrant regular use based on driving conditions, with Sport offering genuinely enhanced responsiveness for overtaking maneuvers while Eco noticeably improves fuel efficiency during highway cruising.

Ride and Handling: Composed Confidence

The Nexon has always prioritized ride quality, and the latest iteration builds on this strength while addressing the somewhat vague handling characteristics of earlier versions.

The suspension continues to absorb road imperfections with impressive composure, filtering out sharp impacts without excessive body movement—a crucial consideration for Indian road conditions.

Steering response shows notable improvement, with reduced vagueness around the center position and more progressive weighting as speed increases.

While still not offering the tactile feedback of European competitors, the system strikes a reasonable balance between ease of use in urban environments and stability during highway journeys.

Body control during directional changes has tightened considerably, with reduced roll and more predictable behavior when pushed beyond casual driving.

The electronic stability control intervenes smoothly when needed, maintaining trajectory without abrupt corrections that might unsettle the vehicle.

NVH management deserves particular praise, with comprehensive improvements that create a notably quieter cabin environment than both the previous generation and many competitors.

Wind noise remains well-controlled even at highway speeds, while road and tire noise intrusion has been significantly reduced through additional insulation and revised bushing compounds.

Safety Credentials: Category-Defining Protection

Safety represents perhaps the Nexon’s most compelling attribute, with its pioneering 5-star GNCAP rating helping establish safety as a priority consideration in the Indian market.

The latest iteration builds on this foundation with enhanced structural integrity and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features:

• Six airbags as standard across all variants

• Electronic stability program with hill hold assist

• ISOFIX child seat anchors

• Three-point seatbelts for all positions with reminders

• Autonomous emergency braking

• Lane departure warning

• Blind spot detection

• Tire pressure monitoring system

The inclusion of several active safety features previously unavailable in this segment demonstrates Tata’s commitment to democratizing safety technology rather than reserving it for premium models.

This approach has contributed significantly to the Nexon’s reputation as a family-friendly vehicle that prioritizes occupant protection without commanding an excessive price premium.

Ownership Experience: Evolving Ecosystem

Tata’s approach to ownership experience has evolved substantially in recent years, addressing historical concerns about after-sales support through significant investments in service infrastructure and customer engagement.

The standardized service procedures and transparent pricing structure eliminate much of the uncertainty that once characterized Tata ownership, while the expanding network of over 2,000 service points improves accessibility across diverse geographies.

Warranty coverage of 2 years/75,000km (extendable to 5 years/150,000km) provides reasonable protection against unexpected expenses, while service intervals of 15,000km reduce maintenance frequency compared to competitors requiring 10,000km intervals—a meaningful advantage for high-mileage users.

The Tata Motors service app enhances convenience through digital service booking, history tracking, and cost estimates, while the 24/7 roadside assistance program provides peace of mind during extended journeys.

These ecosystem improvements, while less immediately apparent than physical vehicle attributes, significantly enhance long-term ownership satisfaction and address concerns that once limited Tata’s appeal to certain customer segments.

Key Takeaways:

• Bold Design Evolution: Comprehensive visual refresh that maintains brand identity while appearing thoroughly modern

• Cabin Transformation: Substantial interior upgrade with improved materials and ergonomics

• Technology Integration: Contemporary features with thoughtful implementation beyond mere specification fulfillment

• Powertrain Refinement: Enhanced engine behavior with significant transmission upgrade

• Benchmark Safety: Category-leading protection with advanced driver assistance systems

• Ownership Improvements: Expanded service network with transparent procedures

Tata Nexon: Maturation Through Thoughtful Evolution

The Tata Nexon demonstrates how thoughtful evolution can transform a promising but imperfect product into a genuinely compelling market proposition.

By maintaining its distinctive character while systematically addressing criticisms and incorporating contemporary features, Tata has created a vehicle that competes on merit rather than merely nationality or price.

This evolutionary approach reveals a maturing manufacturer gaining confidence in its identity while remaining responsive to consumer feedback—a balance that has eluded many automotive brands during their development.

The result is a vehicle that represents not just the growth of a specific model but the broader transformation of Tata Motors into a passenger vehicle manufacturer with genuine global ambitions and capabilities.

For consumers seeking a compact SUV that balances distinctive design, practical features, and category-leading safety, the Nexon presents a compelling case that no longer requires patriotic sentiment to justify consideration.

It stands as evidence that India’s automotive industry has progressed beyond mere localization to genuine innovation, creating products that reflect both global standards and specific regional requirements.