The Tata Nexon has received its most extensive makeover ever since it was first launched in 2017, and has emerged as a much more mature and tech-laden product, taking on some premium rivals, all the while holding on to its value-for-money ethos that has made it one among for the bestselling sub-compact SUVs in India.
That appears to be more of a certainty now, and now that the facelifted Tigor is here, it seems to us that Tata Motors has come a long way since the car was first launched, not merely offering a facelift as part of the targetless mid-cycle refresh cycle, but a comprehensive overall of the way the car drives as well, rounded off with a slight tweak to the way the Tigor looks too.
Revamp: Fresh New Look
The new Nexon is quite a looker from the word go, thanks to its all-new, dramatically redesigned exterior. The design of the front of the new KICKS has been updated to provide an even brighter and bolder “face” of the vehicle, with a new front grille which is wider, more horizontal treatment, and is even more rigid than the previous.
The split headlamp and dynamic V-motion design flows through to the new boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lamp as part of the front headlamps.
That light signature is replicated at the back with linked LED taillights that run the entire width of the tailgate, giving the Nexon a unified design language no-longer shared with the previous model or any of its main rivals.
“The one thing that’s striking about the new version is how much different is the visual character of the vehicle, but everything falls under familiar Nexon proportions,” observes automotive designer Rajiv Mehta.
“The more upright, squared-off shape conveys confidence without compromising the compact city-convenient dimensions that made the original so practical.
The profile clearly shows a more thorough overhaul than you might have imagined, with new door panels with particularly prominent character lines, as well as flush-fitting door handles on the higher-spec cars to improve the upmarket look and feel.
Wheels have evolved, with the range-topping versions getting dual-tone diamond-cut 16-inchers that fill the arches in a more serious manner than was the case earlier.
Dimensions don’t change greatly – the new Nexon is a bit longer but still sub-4-metres in length, an important aspect for tax benefits in the Indian market.
But smart styling cues such as the taller hood line and upright tailgate generate a more imposing aesthetic than those toy-like measurements convey.
Cabin Revolution: A Digital-First Experience
Go inside, and the metamorphosis is even more striking. The dashboard has been totally overhauled with a dual-screen layout consisting of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and another 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen placed under sweeping curved glass, that would not look out of place in a premium European alternative.
This techno extravaganza creates a significantly more upmarket feel than the outgoing model’s workman-like interior.
Material quality also takes a noticeable step up all around the cabin, featuring soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door panels, contrast stitching on leatherette materials, and metallic accent pieces that appear and feel much more upscale than previously.
The new wheel, of the two-spoker variety, is backlit, with the Tata badge, and haptic touch controls adding to the modern theme.
“The biggest change is the interior and the character of the car,” says interior design expert Priya Venkatesh. “It feels like with the past Nexon the focus was on sturdiness and there was a bit of style put on, but this one is more about style and technology with durability that’s integrated from the start.”
Space utilization is never make to be excellent in spite of the compact external measurement. In the back, we find a reworked padding and analytically determined inclination of the backrest for a comfortable ride; and to complete the picture we have a 382-liters luggage space and a reversible double floor.A let’s not pretend we don’t like space..
In the cabin, storage has been reconsidered, with larger door pockets and an enlarged center console, a well-considered wireless charging pad that helps keep a smartphone in place during enthusiastic driving.
Powertrain Refinement: Revolution Out, Evolution In
(Credit: Autobics) Under the bonnet, Tata has concentrated allay up on polishing the current powertrains and not even introduced a set of new engines for the same.
The new 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol now has 120 PS and 170 Nm of torque and comes with enhanced thermal management and low friction parts for better benchmarking performance and efficiency.
The 1.5-liter diesel too soldiers on with 115 horses, albeit with updated calibrations for improved NVH and emissions control.
Transmission options are also widened with a 6-speed manual and a newly added 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (replacing the earlier AMT, a major win here) to rectify one of the perennial complaints of the outgoing model.
The new DCT is much smoother to shift and reacts quicker than the old automated manual, especially in restaurant-to-restaurant urban traffic where the old box could be a bit sluggish.
“On paper, the powertrain gains might seem modest, but the 2020 facelift powertrain changes are a game changer in terms of the difference it makes in the way one drives,” writes automotive journalist Vikram Singh.
“It’s the cumulative effect of the enhanced isolation of the engine, the new mapping of the power delivery and the hugely improved gearbox that make the new Nexon feel like a bit of a different car from behind the wheel.
Ride and handling characteristics have improved with retuned suspension damping and recalibrated steering. The ride is a little more pliable over crumbled city streets, but it still keeps itself in check when it’s time to play.
Acoustic isolation is something that’s been addressed significantly, with more sound-deadening material and laminated glass in higher-end versions leading to a much more serene cabin.
Technology in Your Ride: The Next Generation of the Connected Car
Perhaps the most impactful addition in terms of features is Tata’s new and updated connected car technology at play here.
The Nexon is now equipped with the company’s connected car technology, IRA 2.0 (Intelligent Real-time Assist) with over 60 features, including remote vehicle control, vehicle diagnostic reports, live vehicle tracking, and geofence capabilities, voice alerts on the vehicle health report and over the air (OTA) updates.
The infotainment system is upgradeable to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is a JBL premium audio system with 9 speakers and a subwoofer that offers excellent sound.
The gui was completely redesigned with more self-explainatory menu structures and better reaction times, the performance lag occasionally observed in the previous gui is a thing of the past.
Driver aid systems go further, comprising a 360 degree camera set-up, blind spot monitoring and automated parking aids – offering technology not previously seen in this part of the market.
Cushioning this all extensive damage control package are an array of safety features that have been carried forward from the previous model, safety features that had handed the Nexon the honour of bagging India’s first five star Global NCAP rating which included t six airbags, electronic stability control and a tough built.
Product Positioning and Competition
The new Nexon comes into what has lately become a fiercely competitive segment with several old and new players vying for a share.
The car primarily competes with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV300, offering different value propositions in the segment.
The reimagined Nexon is Tata Motors effort at moving up the value chain and consequently, although it looks richer, prices are still competitive with Tata trying to retain the charm of sub-₹8 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base model.
Higher trims certainly cut deeper into premium territory, the top-spec variant approaching ₹15 lakh and featuring equipment hitherto available only in the car above this class.
New Tata Nexon photos is reveled on roads
“Tata’s approach is also a reflection of how Indian consumers are now more open to shelling out extra money for innovative design and tech,” says market analyst Sanjay Kumar.
“The new Nexon sits right between its mainstream brethren and the likes of premium compact SUVs, which could draw buyers who at one point were inclined towards international brands,” he added.
The radical reinvention of one of its staple products is a clear statement of Tata’s increasing confidence and ambition in an expanding Indian car market.
And in bringing a visual design flair, a tech and features list with real depth and better driving dynamics in a package that’s priced for a fight – the prospect of the new Nexon being able to surpass the considerable success of the first-gen car and elevate Tata’s position in the marketplace is looking bright indeed.