Tata Nexon: A Journey of Success and SignificanceTata Nexon: A Journey of Success and Significance From its initial concept to its current position as a market leader, the Tata Nexon has played a pivotal role in shaping Tata Motors’ history. Launched in 2016, the Nexon quickly became a commercial success, establishing Tata as a top-three car manufacturer in India. Design and Features The latest iteration of the Nexon boasts a sharp and distinctive design, inspired by the Harrier. Its muscular stance, sleek split headlamps, and full-width LED tail lamp create an eye-catching presence on the road. Inside, the cabin has been transformed with a digital instrument cluster, a large touchscreen display, ventilated leather seats, and wireless charging capabilities. Safety Safety has always been a priority for Tata, and the Nexon has consistently earned top ratings from Global NCAP. The latest model maintains this tradition with a five-star rating, ABS, ESP, and six airbags as standard. Additional safety features include a 360-degree camera and Blind View Monitor. Performance and Drive The Nexon offers a choice of powertrains, including a 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine and a 1.5-liter diesel engine. The petrol engine delivers 118bhp and 17.34kg-m, while the diesel produces 113bhp and 26.53kg-m. Gearbox options include manual, AMT, and dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The ride quality is exceptional, with the suspension effectively absorbing bumps while maintaining handling stability. Market Impact In its seven years in the market, the Nexon has sold over 7 lakh units. It consistently ranks among the top 10 best-selling cars in India, challenging rivals such as the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue. The Nexon’s combination of design, safety, features, and affordability has made it a formidable competitor in the sub-4-meter SUV segment. Conclusion The Tata Nexon remains a significant vehicle for Tata Motors, solidifying their position as a leading automotive manufacturer in India. Its appealing design, advanced features, and unwavering safety make it a compelling choice for customers seeking a well-rounded compact SUV. The Nexon’s success is a testament to Tata’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
To say that the Nexon holds a special place in Tata Motors’ history is an understatement. First presented as a concept and only realised two years later, the Nexon was Tata’s sure path to success in the sub-4 metre SUV segment. Its arrival not only brought Tata commercial success, securing the brand a position as one of the top three car manufacturers in the country, but it also brought to the fore some of the qualities that Tata Motors is known for today: namely design supremacy, unmatched safety and an affirmation that the company still has what it takes to be successful again. Let’s not forget that when the Nexon was launched, Tata had yet to fully recover from the drought that had plagued the brand for years. So, what does the Nexon mean in 2024?
The short answer would be that it means a lot, not just to Tata but also to its customers. It was only last month that Tata announced that sales of the Nexon had crossed the 7 lakh mark in just seven years. The Nexon still remains among the top 10 best-selling cars per month, and while the Punch has been raking in more volumes for the automaker, the Nexon still maintains a respectable position in the segment. In its latest iteration, which was launched not so long ago, the Nexon looks sharper than before, with a Harrier-esque styling that ditches the familiar in favor of a more radical look. It’s safe to say that it works quite effectively, and as an update, it’s a must-have for the Nexon.
Muscle-shaped design
At the front, it is undeniably more chiseled than before. The lighting setup is no longer as conventional as before, with the sleek split headlamps set into the contoured bumper, while the LED DRLs are placed at the top, emphasising the muscular design of the car. The rear design is no slouch either, with the full-width LED tail lamp being an eye-catcher. The overall styling is complemented by the new dynamic five-blade alloy wheels, which together with the chunky tyres and the plastic wheel arches, make the Nexon look more rugged and ready to take on the worst roads!
Tata Motors has been consistently working on making the cabins of its cars futuristic and the new Nexon is no exception. Up front, a digital instrument cluster takes over from the earlier analogue units, a large 10.25-inch touchscreen display commands almost all the attention, the ventilated leather seats seem fine although we would have liked a bit more under-thigh support, and overall, the dashboard design takes the experience to the next level. The large floating infotainment screen gets wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Nexon also gets wireless charging and a 9-speaker setup from JBL, and the driver display is customisable and also offers full-screen navigation, which is a solid plus. Another big plus is the flat-bottomed steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo, which, while a fingerprint magnet, is exceptional.
Safety
Tata has made the Nexon exceptional in the safety department. When it was launched in the latter half of the last decade, it became the first Indian car to receive a five-star rating from Global NCAP. It confirmed that safety was a top priority and this gave the Nexon a slight edge over many of its rivals. The updated Nexon (the one you see here) followed suit with the same five-star rating, but in accordance with the testing agency’s new protocol. ABS, ESP and six airbags all come as standard, while features like a 360-degree camera also make life easy with the compact SUV. It also gets a Blind View Monitor, which minimises the chance of accidents and is complemented by front cornering lamps.
How does it fare on the road? Ride quality is the Nexon’s strongest point and the new version doesn’t disappoint. Bumps are soaked up without much drama and the suspension is set up so that the overall balance between ride and handling isn’t upset, meaning it doesn’t disappoint in corners either. We wouldn’t mind a little softer suspension, especially on downright awful roads.
Up front, a digital instrument cluster takes over from the previous analogue units and a large 10.25-inch touchscreen display takes up almost all of the attention
Powertrain choices
Powertrain choices for the Nexon aren’t limited to combustion engines, but since the Nexon.ev is sold as a standalone model, we’ll focus on what the standard Nexon gets. Tata hasn’t bothered with a naturally aspirated petrol engine for the Nexon, opting instead for a fairly potent 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit. The engine produces a healthy 118bhp and 17.34kg-m. Gearbox choices include a 5-speed MT for the base model and a 6-speed MT for the rest of the grades, a 6-speed AMT and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The diesel engine, on the other hand, is a 1.5-litre unit that produces 113bhp and 26.53kg-m. This arrived when Tata needed something bigger than the 1.3-litre MJD supplied by Fiat, and has continued to power the Nexon ever since. Transmission options for the diesel are a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission.
There are three drive modes available, namely Eco, City and Sport, and they vary the experience to some extent. ‘Sport’ holds the revs a little longer, while ‘City’ walks the fine line between responsiveness and fuel economy. The steering feels communicative and the Nexon seems eager to follow the driver’s inputs. At higher speeds, some road noise does intrude into the cabin, but it’s not so intrusive as to spoil the experience. The claimed 208mm of ground clearance is a blessing on poor roads, and the 16-inch tyres (195/60 are standard, while the top two trims get wider 215-section tyres) go a long way in traversing them.
The Nexon has proven to be a respectable member of the sub-4-metre compact SUV brigade. The concept car look worked in 2017 and the new look now doesn’t disappoint. The cabin is spacious and feature-rich, and the update makes it look like it’s come from a much more expensive car. Add-ons like ventilated seats, cooled glove compartment, voice-activated sunroof, etc. help make the Nexon even more appealing, while the top-notch safety, despite the lack of ADAS, makes it stand out. The Nexon is a well-rounded package with a competitive price tag (starting at ₹8 lakh, ex-showroom) and as ever, it remains hard to ignore.
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