If you have driven on Indian roads in the last two years, you know you can’t go 500 meters without spotting a Tata Nexon. Since its major facelift back in late 2023, it has dominated the sales charts. But here we are in January 2026—does the “Iron Man” of Indian SUVs still hold its ground against the aggressive Mahindra XUV 3XO and the reliable Maruti Brezza?

The Nexon isn’t just a car anymore; it’s a statement of safety and tech. With prices starting from ₹8.15 Lakh (Ex-Showroom) and going all the way up to ₹15.80 Lakh for the top-spec Fearless+ Diesel Automatic, it sits right in the premium sub-4 meter sweet spot.

Today, we aren’t just reading the brochure. We are driving it in bumper-to-bumper Mumbai traffic and cruising on the Yamuna Expressway to tell you if it’s worth your hard-earned money.

Quick Specs: The Numbers Game

Before we start the engine, let’s look at what’s under the hood. Tata offers the widest powertrain choice in the segment: Petrol, Diesel, CNG, and EV (EV covered in a separate review).

Specification	1.2L Turbo Petrol	1.5L Turbo Diesel	1.2L iCNG (Twin Cylinder)
Power	120 PS @ 5500 rpm	115 PS @ 3750 rpm	100 PS (CNG Mode)
Torque	170 Nm	260 Nm	170 Nm
Transmission	5MT, 6MT, 6AMT, 7DCA	6MT, 6AMT	6MT
Boot Space	382 Liters	382 Liters	321 Liters (Usable!)
Ground Clearance	208 mm	208 mm	208 mm
Fuel Tank	44 Liters	44 Liters	60L (Water Capacity)

Exterior Design: The “Concept Car” Look

Even in 2026, the Nexon looks like it drove straight out of a sci-fi movie. The split headlamp setup and the connected LED DRL bar (with that fancy welcome/goodbye animation) give it a distinct road presence.

• The Stance: It stands tall. The 208mm ground clearance is a blessing for our unpredictable road conditions. You sit high, and you feel like you are driving a proper SUV, not just a hatchback on stilts.
• The Rear: The “X-factor” taillights are sharp. The hidden rear wiper (tucked under the spoiler) is a clever design touch that keeps the rear clean.
• Build Quality: Thud. That’s the sound the door makes. It feels heavy and reassuring, staying true to its 5-star safety lineage.

Interior, Comfort & Features: A Mixed Bag?

Step inside, and the cabin feels two segments above the Maruti Brezza. The 2-spoke steering wheel with the illuminated Tata Logo still feels cool every time you look at it.

The Good stuff:

• The Screens: The 10.25-inch infotainment system (by Harman) is crisp. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect seamlessly 9 out of 10 times. The digital instrument cluster is customizable and can even show full-screen maps.
• Ventilated Seats: A lifesaver for Indian summers. Available in the Creative+ trims and above.
• Purple Haze: If you opt for the ‘Fearless’ Purple interior, it looks rich, though maintaining that light-colored upholstery with kids might be a nightmare.

The “Could Be Better”:

• Touch Panel HVAC: It looks futuristic, but using it while driving is tricky. You have to take your eyes off the road to adjust the AC fan speed. Physical knobs are missed here.
• Fit & Finish: While greatly improved, you might still find a few rough plastic edges around the lower dashboard or the door pockets.

Engine Performance & Driving Dynamics

1.2L Turbo Petrol (The Volume Seller)

I’ll be honest—this is a 3-cylinder engine, and you can feel it. At idle, there is a slight vibration (thrum) on the door pads. However, once you cross 2000 RPM, it pulls cleanly.

• City: The low-end lag is noticeable. You might find yourself downshifting often in traffic.
• Highway: This is where it shines. Cruising at 100-120 km/h is effortless. The “Sport” mode actually makes a difference, sharpening the throttle response.
• DCA vs AMT: If you have the budget, buy the DCA (Dual Clutch). It is smooth and quick. The AMT is jerky (head-nod effect) and should only be considered if you are on a strict budget.

1.5L Diesel (The Gem)

This engine is a masterpiece. The 260 Nm of torque is addictive. It masks the weight of the car beautifully. On the highway, it eats miles without breaking a sweat. If you drive more than 1500 km a month, blindly pick the Diesel.

Ride & Handling

Tata has nailed the suspension tuning for India.

• Bad Roads: It swallows potholes, speed breakers, and broken patches with a solid, muted “thud”. You don’t get tossed around.
• High Speed: Straight-line stability is rock solid. It feels planted even at 120 km/h.

Real World Mileage: The Truth They Don’t Tell You

The brochure figures (ARAI) are done in a lab. We tested these cars in real traffic conditions with AC on.

Variant	ARAI Claimed	Real City Mileage	Real Highway Mileage
Petrol Manual	17.44 kmpl	10.5 – 12.0 kmpl	15.5 – 17.0 kmpl
Petrol DCA	17.01 kmpl	9.5 – 11.0 kmpl	15.0 – 16.5 kmpl
Diesel Manual	23.23 kmpl	14.5 – 16.0 kmpl	20.0 – 22.0 kmpl
iCNG	24.00 km/kg	18.0 – 20.0 km/kg	24.0 – 26.0 km/kg

Note: Petrol City mileage is highly sensitive to driving style. Heavy foot = Single digit mileage.

Safety: The Benchmark

The Nexon was the car that started the safety revolution in India.

• 6 Airbags: Standard across ALL variants (Base to Top).
• ESP (Electronic Stability Program): Standard.
• Crash Rating: 5 Stars (Global NCAP & Bharat NCAP).
• Build: The door weight and the “thud” tell the story. You feel safe inside.

The Competition: Nexon vs Rivals

Let’s see how the Nexon stacks up against the 2026 heavyweights.

Tata Nexon vs. Mahindra XUV 3XO

• Performance: The XUV 3XO’s “mStallion” petrol engine is faster and more explosive than the Nexon.
• Space: XUV 3XO has a wider rear seat and a massive panoramic sunroof (on lower variants too), but its boot space is smaller than Nexon’s.
• Winner: Choose XUV 3XO for pure performance. Choose Nexon for better boot space and diesel reliability.

Tata Nexon vs. Maruti Brezza

• Refinement: The Brezza’s 1.5L 4-cylinder engine is butter smooth compared to Nexon’s 3-cylinder vibration.
• Mileage: Brezza Petrol is more efficient in the city (13-14 kmpl).
• Winner: Choose Brezza for peace of mind, refinement, and city mileage. Choose Nexon for build quality, safety, and tech features.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The 2026 Tata Nexon is not perfect. The petrol engine could be smoother, and the touch controls can be annoying. However, as a complete package—looks, safety, ride quality, and road presence—it is hard to beat.

Buy it if:

• ✅ Safety is Priority #1: You want a 5-star rated tank for your family.
• ✅ You Drive on Bad Roads: The suspension and ground clearance are best-in-class.
• ✅ You Want a Diesel: It is one of the few compact SUVs still offering a punchy diesel engine.

Skip it if:

• ❌ You want High Petrol City Mileage: The Brezza or a Hybrid is better suited for you.
• ❌ You hate 3-Cylinder Vibrations: The engine refinement isn’t as good as Hyundai or Maruti.
• ❌ You want a hassle-free Automatic: The AMT is jerky; only the DCA is good (but expensive).

Journalist Score: 8.5/10

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