Tata Nexon: The evolution of India’s automotive industry has undergone remarkable transformation over the past decade, with homegrown manufacturers increasingly demonstrating confidence through distinctive design language and technological innovation rather than merely adapting global templates.
The Tata Nexon stands as perhaps the most successful embodiment of this indigenous confidence – a compact SUV that has transcended its initial positioning to become both a commercial success and a symbol of Indian automotive engineering capability.
Having recently spent two weeks with the significantly refreshed model across varied driving conditions in Maharashtra, I’ve developed nuanced impressions about where this vehicle succeeds most convincingly and where challenges remain.
Tata Nexon: Historical Context Understanding the Nexon’s Journey
To properly evaluate the current Nexon, one must first acknowledge its transformative impact on Tata Motors’ market positioning. Introduced in 2017, the original model represented a dramatic departure from the conservative styling and feature content typical of previous Tata offerings.
More significantly, its five-star Global NCAP safety rating in 2018 challenged the perception that Indian-engineered vehicles necessarily compromised safety standards – creating a powerful brand narrative that continues to define Tata’s market approach.
The 2023 refresh represents the most substantial update since introduction, with comprehensive styling revisions, interior refinements, and technology enhancements that aim to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly crowded segment.
This evolution reflects Tata’s growing confidence, with the company no longer merely participating in the compact SUV category but actively influencing its direction through indigenous innovation.
Design Philosophy: Confident Evolution
The refreshed Nexon’s exterior design represents a significant departure from its predecessor while maintaining core elements that established the model’s identity.
The front fascia adopts Tata’s evolved “humanity line” – a distinctive light bar connecting sleek LED headlamps – while the grille adopts a more three-dimensional form that creates greater visual presence. These elements communicate contemporary sophistication while maintaining clear genetic links to both the original Nexon and the broader Tata SUV family.
In profile, the vehicle maintains its distinctive coupe-inspired silhouette with a floating roof effect, though revised character lines create more muscular proportions that enhance the crossover’s visual stance.
The redesigned 16-inch alloy wheels on my test vehicle filled the pronounced wheel arches effectively, while the contrast roof option (in this case, a striking white-on-blue combination) emphasizes the stylistic flourish that has become something of a Nexon signature.
The rear treatment receives similarly comprehensive updates, with connected LED taillamps creating horizontal emphasis that visually widens the vehicle.
The redesigned bumper incorporates more pronounced skid plate elements that reference off-road capability without making implausible claims about the vehicle’s intended usage.
What impresses most about the design evolution is its distinctiveness – in a segment increasingly defined by homogeneous styling that often mimics more expensive European or Korean models, the Nexon projects confident individuality that reflects growing pride in Indian design capability.
During my time with the vehicle, it consistently gathered attention and prompted conversations, suggesting the refresh has successfully enhanced visual appeal without surrendering the original’s distinctive character.
Cabin Experience: Meaningful Advancement
Step inside the Nexon, and the interior reveals perhaps the most significant improvements over the previous generation.
The dashboard architecture adopts a more horizontal orientation that enhances perceived width, while material quality demonstrates substantial advancement through increased soft-touch surfaces, more convincing synthetic leather, and thoughtful texture variations that create visual and tactile interest.
The technology integration represents another area of notable progress. The new 10.25-inch floating touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, responsive touch inputs, and reasonably intuitive menu structures.
The matching 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster provides customizable information displays that enhance both functionality and perceived value.
The JBL-branded audio system delivers impressive sound quality with adequate bass response and clear vocal reproduction – a meaningful enhancement for a vehicle in this price segment.
Seating comfort benefits from revised cushioning and improved lateral support, with the driver’s position offering good visibility through the relatively upright windshield.
Rear accommodation provides adequate space for two adults, though three would find shoulder room limited during longer journeys.
The panoramic sunroof – still a relatively rare feature in this segment – enhances the perceived spaciousness despite modest dimensional gains over competitors.
Storage solutions demonstrate practical consideration of typical usage patterns, with thoughtfully sized door pockets, a reasonably spacious center console, and usefully positioned smartphone shelves near the front USB ports.
The 382-liter boot accommodates weekend luggage requirements without complaint, though the high loading lip requires more effort when placing heavier items.
Driving Dynamics: Balanced Capability
The Nexon offers two powertrain options: a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 120 horsepower and 170 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-liter turbodiesel generating 115 horsepower and a more substantial 260 Nm of torque.
My test vehicle featured the petrol engine paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – the most sophisticated drivetrain configuration in the lineup.
Performance proves entirely adequate for typical usage patterns, with reasonable acceleration from standstill and sufficient mid-range response for confident overtaking maneuvers.
The dual-clutch transmission demonstrates significant improvement over the occasionally hesitant AMT previously offered, with smoother shifts and more intuitive logic that better complements the engine’s power delivery characteristics.
Some low-speed hesitation remains evident, particularly when transitioning from braking to acceleration in traffic, though this trait diminishes with familiarity as driving style adapts accordingly.
Ride quality represents a particular strength, with well-judged suspension tuning that absorbs urban road imperfections effectively while maintaining composure during directional changes.
The 209mm ground clearance proves valuable on Mumbai’s notorious roads, allowing confident navigation of substantial potholes and unexpected surface variations without scraping undercarriage components.
Highway stability impresses at higher speeds, with limited wind noise and confident straight-line tracking that reduces fatigue during longer journeys.
Steering response demonstrates appropriate weighting progression, with light effort during parking maneuvers that increases naturally with speed to provide stability during highway travel.
Feedback remains somewhat limited – a common characteristic in electrically assisted systems – though placement precision proves entirely adequate for the vehicle’s intended purpose.
The 5.1-meter turning radius enhances maneuverability in tight urban environments, transforming potentially challenging situations into manageable exercises.
Safety Architecture: Core Strength
Safety features represent a core differentiator for the Nexon, building upon the five-star Global NCAP rating that established its reputation in this critical area.
The refreshed model incorporates six airbags as standard across the range, along with electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors.
Advanced driver assistance systems now include a blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, and front collision alert on higher trims – features previously rare in this segment.
The underlying structure incorporates high-strength steel at key points, creating a robust safety cage while simultaneously optimizing weight for efficiency.
This architectural approach, combined with the comprehensive active and passive safety features, creates meaningful differentiation in a market segment where safety consciousness continues to increase among Indian consumers.
Value Proposition: Competitive Positioning
The Nexon occupies a strategically important position within Tata’s expanding portfolio, competing directly with established rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, and Hyundai Venue.
Priced between approximately ₹8-15 lakh (depending on variant and powertrain), it positions at a slight premium to some alternatives while offering compensatory advantages in safety features, design distinctiveness, and perceived robustness.
The comprehensive feature set available in higher trims – including ventilated front seats, wireless device charging, and the panoramic sunroof – creates strong showroom appeal, while the safety credentials provide rational justification for the marginal price premium.
This balanced approach to value demonstrates sophisticated understanding of evolving Indian consumer priorities, where feature content remains important but is increasingly weighed alongside less tangible considerations like safety reputation and design appeal.
Tata Nexon: Indigenous Confidence
The refreshed Tata Nexon ultimately succeeds by embracing confident individuality rather than mimicking established competitors.
Its distinctive design language, comprehensive safety features, and thoughtfully implemented technology create meaningful differentiation in an increasingly crowded segment, while the balanced driving dynamics and improved interior quality address previous limitations.
In transcending its initial positioning to become both a commercial success and a symbol of Indian automotive engineering capability, the Nexon demonstrates how indigenous innovation can create compelling alternatives to multinational offerings.
For consumers seeking distinctive design and comprehensive safety features without stretching to higher price segments, this homegrown compact SUV offers a compelling proposition that challenges traditional segment hierarchies through authentically Indian innovation.