Tata Nexon 2024 Review: Mileage, Price, Variants & Verdict | King of Compact SUVs?

Introduction

The Tata Nexon didn’t just enter the compact SUV segment; it redefined it. With a bold design, a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, and a compelling feature set, it quickly became a benchmark and a bestseller. Now, with its second major facelift, the Nexon has undergone its most radical transformation yet. Launched in 2023, the 2024 model year Nexon isn’t just a nip and tuck; it’s a comprehensive overhaul that addresses previous shortcomings and raises the bar even higher.

This review dives deep into every aspect of the new Tata Nexon. We’ll explore the love-it-or-hate-it “Curiosity” design philosophy, the genuinely premium new interior with its massive 10.25-inch screens, and the refined powertrains. We’ll analyze whether it still delivers on its core promises of safety and driving dynamics, and crucially, how it stacks up against fierce new rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, and Mahindra XUV300. If you’re considering a compact SUV under ₹15 lakhs, this is your ultimate guide to deciding if the 2024 Nexon deserves your money.

A Design That Demands Attention: Exterior Review

The new Nexon adopts Tata Motors’ “Curiosity” design language, and it’s unapologetically bold. The front fascia is dominated by a split-headlamp setup. The main LED DRLs are sleek and integrated into the grille, while the primary projector headlamps are positioned lower in the bumper. This polarizing design certainly makes the Nexon stand out in a sea of conventional SUVs.

Key Exterior Highlights:

• Split LED Headlamps & DRLs: The signature lighting element, offering great visibility and a unique identity day and night.
• Connected LED Taillight Bar: The rear gets a full-width light bar, a modern touch that instantly elevates the car’s premium quotient. The tailgate is cleaner, with the number plate housing now moved to the bumper.
• New Alloy Wheels: Fresh diamond-cut alloy wheel designs (16-inch) complement the muscular stance.
• Sharper Body Lines: The character lines along the side and hood are more pronounced, adding to the dynamic and robust appearance.
• New Colour Options: Tata offers vibrant new shades like Fearless Purple and Creative Ocean, alongside the popular Downtown Red and Flame Red.

The design evolution is significant. While the previous model was chunky and likeable, the 2024 version is avant-garde and assertive. It successfully bridges the gap between a traditional SUV and a futuristic crossover, appealing to a younger, style-conscious audience.

A Quantum Leap: Interior & Cabin Experience

Step inside, and the transformation is even more dramatic. The 2024 Nexon’s cabin is a generational leap forward in terms of design, quality, and technology. It feels like it belongs to a segment above.

Dashboard & Layout: The centerpiece is the new free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is intuitive and responsive. The dashboard is layered with a mix of textures, including soft-touch materials, leatherette padding, and metallic accents. The new two-spoke steering wheel (with an illuminated Tata logo) houses essential controls and feels great to hold.

Infotainment & Technology:

• 10.25-inch Touchscreen: Runs on the latest Arcade.ev suite, offering seamless connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a host of in-car apps.
• 10.25-inch Fully Digital Instrument Cluster: This is a segment-first in many variants. It’s customizable, offering different views for navigation, media, and trip information. The graphics are crisp and modern.
• 360-Degree Camera: The display is super clear and incredibly useful for navigating tight urban spaces.
• Wireless Phone Charger: Conveniently placed and works efficiently.
• Air Purifier: Now comes with a display and works in conjunction with the automatic climate control.

Comfort & Space:

• Front Seats: The seats are well-bolstered and offer good under-thigh and lateral support. Ventilated seats are now available, a boon for Indian summers.
• Rear Seats: The space remains generous with excellent headroom and legroom. The seat comfort is good, and the rear AC vent is now complemented by a USB charging port.
• Boot Space: At 382 liters, it is practical for a family’s weekend luggage and is competitively sized within the segment.

The interior is no longer just “good for the price”; it’s genuinely premium and a key reason to choose the Nexon over many of its rivals.

Performance & Driving Dynamics: Petrol, Diesel, and CNG

Tata offers the Nexon with multiple powertrain options, catering to a wide range of buyer preferences.

1.2-Litre Turbo-Petrol (Revotron):

• Power & Torque: 120 PS and 170 Nm (with manual); 130 PS and 230 Nm (with turbocharger upgrade in automatic).
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual, 6-speed AMT, and a modern 7-speed DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission).
• Driving Experience: The petrol engine is refined and punchy. The turbo spools up early, making city driving effortless. The mid-range is strong, allowing for confident highway overtakes. The new 7-speed DCT is a massive improvement over the previous AMT, offering smooth, quick shifts and a more engaging drive.

1.5-Litre Diesel (Revotorq):

• Power & Torque: 115 PS and 260 Nm.
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual and 6-speed AMT.
• Driving Experience: The diesel’s star attribute is its massive torque, available from as low as 1500 RPM. This makes it feel incredibly strong in real-world driving conditions, especially with a full load or on highways. It’s the choice for the high-mileage user.

1.2-Litre Turbo-Petrol CNG (New Option):

• Power & Torque: Runs on both Petrol and CNG, with power figures adjusted in CNG mode for efficiency.
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual only.
• Driving Experience: Aimed squarely at fleet owners and extremely cost-conscious private buyers, the CNG variant offers the lowest running costs. There is a noticeable drop in power when running on CNG, but it’s adequate for city commutes.

Ride and Handling: The Nexon’s hallmark has always been its brilliant ride quality. The suspension is tuned to soak up bad roads with incredible composure, making it one of the most comfortable cars in its class. The handling is safe and predictable, with well-weighted electric power steering offering decent feedback. The 209mm ground clearance is best-in-class, ensuring you never scrape the underside on broken roads or steep ramps.

The Safety Fortress: A 5-Star Legacy Continues

Safety has been the cornerstone of the Nexon’s success. The new model builds on this solid foundation with more features.

• Global NCAP Rating: The previous model scored a full 5-star rating for adult occupant protection and 3 stars for child occupant protection. The 2024 model, built on the same robust platform, is expected to perform similarly.
• Standard Safety Features: All variants get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard.
• Higher Variant Features: The top-end variants are packed with up to 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and the 360-degree camera.

The Nexon continues to be the safety benchmark in the segment, offering peace of mind that few rivals can match.

Mileage & Running Costs: The Fuel Efficiency Breakdown

Official ARAI Mileage Figures:

• Petrol Manual: 17.30 km/l
• Petrol DCT: 17.01 km/l
• Diesel Manual: 23.23 km/l
• Diesel AMT: 22.50 km/l
• P-CNG: 17.66 km/kg (CNG mode)

Real-World Mileage Expectations:

• Petrol: In city conditions, expect 12-14 km/l, while highways can return 16-18 km/l.
• Diesel: The diesel is the efficiency king. City driving should yield 16-18 km/l, and on the highway, it can easily deliver 20-22 km/l.
• P-CNG: Running costs are the lowest here, making it incredibly economical for daily commutes.

Maintenance Costs: Tata’s service costs are generally reasonable. A routine service for the petrol engine can cost between ₹4,000-6,000, while the diesel might cost ₹5,000-7,000. The service interval is 1 year or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.

Variant Guide: Creative, Fearless, or Fearless Plus?

The Nexon is offered in multiple trims, each catering to different budgets and needs.

1. Smart (Base): For the budget buyer, essential features only.
2. Pure: Adds basic infotainment, better interior fabrics.
3. Creative: The Sweet Spot. Gets key features like a 7-inch touchscreen, rear camera, alloy wheels, and height-adjustable driver’s seat.
4. Fearless: The Recommended Variant. Adds the 10.25-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital cluster, LED DRLs, and more safety features.
5. Fearless + S / Fearless + DT (Dazzle): The top-end variants with all the bells and whistles, including the 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, sunroof, and leatherette upholstery.

Our Pick: The Fearless variant offers the best value, giving you the core premium features without stretching the budget to the absolute limit.

Pros and Cons: The Honest Verdict

Pros:

• Striking and bold new design that stands out.
• Premium, feature-rich interior with best-in-segment screens.
• Excellent ride quality and high ground clearance.
• Proven 5-star Global NCAP safety rating.
• Multiple powertrain options, including a new CNG variant.
• Spacious and comfortable cabin.

Cons:

• The polarizing front-end design may not appeal to everyone.
• Diesel engine is not as refined as the petrol, especially at idle.
• AMT option in the diesel isn’t as smooth as the petrol DCT.
• Some rivals offer better rear seat comfort (e.g., XUV300).

Rivals Check: Nexon vs The Competition

• vs Hyundai Venue/Kia Sonet: The Korean twins offer more feature gizmos, turbo-petrol engine options, and arguably more refined transmissions. However, the Nexon trumps them with a better ride, more spacious cabin, and a higher safety rating.
• vs Maruti Brezza: The Brezza is the mileage king (in petrol), has the strong Maruti service network, and a trusted brand name. The Nexon fights back with a more powerful engine, a much more premium interior, and superior safety.
• vs Mahindra XUV300: The XUV300 has the most powerful petrol engine and the best rear seat in the segment. Its dated interior and lack of a sunroof are major drawbacks, which the new Nexon capitalizes on.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy the 2024 Tata Nexon?

The 2024 Tata Nexon is not just an update; it’s a statement. It has successfully reinvented itself to stay ahead of the curve. It combines head-turning design, a premium tech-loaded cabin, proven safety, and comfortable dynamics into a compelling package.

Buy the Tata Nexon if:

• You prioritize safety above all else.
• You want a feature-rich, modern cabin that feels a segment above.
• Your daily commute involves broken roads where ride quality is paramount.
• You are a style-conscious buyer who wants a unique-looking SUV.
• You drive high mileages and are considering the diesel or CNG variants.

Look elsewhere if:

• You strongly prefer a conservative, inoffensive design.
• You prioritize the absolute highest petrol mileage (then consider the Brezza).
• You want the most feature-dense cabin with multiple ADAS features (then consider the Korean rivals).

The compact SUV segment has never been more competitive, but the Tata Nexon, with its complete package, doesn’t just compete—it leads. It successfully defends its title as the all-rounder King of Compact SUVs.

FAQs

What is the on-road price of the Tata Nexon?
The Tata Nexon’s price starts at approximately ₹8.15 lakhs for the base petrol Smart variant and goes up to ₹15.70 lakhs for the top-end diesel Fearless+ S DCT variant (ex-showroom). On-road prices will vary by city due to taxes and insurance, but expect the starting on-road price to be around ₹9.5 lakhs.

Which is the best variant of Tata Nexon to buy?
The Fearless variant is the best value-for-money pick. It gets the crucial 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, LED DRLs, and enhanced safety features without the premium price tag of the top-end Fearless+ variants. For most buyers, it offers the perfect blend of features and cost.

Does Tata Nexon 2024 have ADAS?
No, the Tata Nexon 2024 facelift does not offer any Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This is a key area where rivals like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet have an edge, offering features like lane-keeping assist and forward collision warning.

What is the waiting period for the new Nexon?
The waiting period for the Tata Nexon can vary significantly based on the variant, powertrain, and city. It typically ranges from 2 to 8 weeks. Popular variants like the Fearless and Fearless+ with the DCT automatic gearbox often have longer waiting periods.

Is Tata Nexon better than Brezza?
It depends on your priorities. The Nexon is better if you want a more powerful engine, a premium and tech-heavy interior, superior ride comfort, and a 5-star safety rating. The Brezza is better if you prioritize maximum fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and the unparalleled service network of Maruti Suzuki.

Is the sunroof in Nexon panoramic?
No, the Tata Nexon does not have a panoramic sunroof. It features a standard single-pane electric sunroof. Some rivals, like the Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV400, offer a larger panoramic sunroof.

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