Evolution of the Tata Nexon across the years

For a while now, Tata vehicles have been consistently performing admirably in the Indian market. While cars like the Punch perform consistently well in the sales charts, the Nexon SUV has been a consistent performer as well. The Nexon debuted in 2017, and since then has been known for its striking design, impressive performance, and great feature-set. The Nexon has been able to stand out in a sea of strong competitors, thanks to its ability to constantly refine and update its offerings. In this guide, we will run through its evolution over the years, and while it may not have been around that long, there’s no doubting that the Nexon, so far, has made a lasting impression.

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Launch of the First-Generation Tata Nexon in 2017

Tata Motors introduced the Nexon in September 2017, marking its entry into the fast-growing compact SUV segment in India.

Launch Year and Key Specifications

The Nexon debuted with two engine options: a 1.2-litre turbocharged Revotron petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged Revotorq diesel engine. Both engines were paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, with an optional 6-speed AMT which arrived later. The Nexon was also the first Tata car to feature three drive modes—Eco, City, and Sport—further enhancing its versatility.

Initial Design Philosophy and Target Audience

The Nexon’s coupe-inspired design was a refreshing departure from the boxy aesthetics of other compact SUVs. Tata's "Impact Design" philosophy gave it a youthful, stylish, and premium look. It targeted millennials and young families looking for a car that offered both practicality and a distinctive visual appeal.

Sales Performance

The Nexon’s initial reception was overwhelmingly positive, thanks to its competitive pricing, feature-rich interiors, and solid build quality. Within a year, Tata Motors sold over 27,000 units of the Nexon, making it a serious contender in the compact SUV market dominated by models like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Creta.

Special Edition Nexons Launched

To keep the momentum going, Tata introduced special editions of the Nexon, such as the KraZ Edition, which featured exterior accents and updated interiors. These editions aimed to enhance the Nexon’s appeal to younger buyers.

Sunroof Added in 2018

Recognising the growing demand for sunroofs in the Indian market, Tata introduced a factory-fitted electric sunroof as an option in the Nexon lineup in 2018. This move helped the Nexon compete more effectively with its feature-rich rivals.

50,000th Nexon Rolled Out of Factory in 2018

In September 2018, Tata Motors celebrated a significant milestone with the rollout of the 50,000th Nexon from its Ranjangaon facility. This achievement underscored the Nexon’s growing popularity and Tata’s strengthened presence in the SUV market.

Tata Nexon EV Launched in 2020

The Tata Nexon EV marked Tata Motors’ foray into the electric vehicle (EV) space, revolutionising the market with an affordable and practical all-electric SUV.

Key Highlights

Launched in January 2020, the Nexon EV was powered by Tata’s Ziptron EV technology, featuring a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a permanent magnet synchronous motor. All in, it produced 129 bhp and 245 Nm of torque. It offered a range of 312 km (ARAI-certified) on a single charge, making it a good choice for city commuters. The Nexon EV also supported fast charging, allowing an 80% charge in just 60 minutes. Using a standard 15A AC charger took between 8 and 9 hours to reach a full charge.

Styling Changes

The Nexon EV retained the design language of the internal combustion engine (ICE) Nexon but introduced subtle changes like blue accents, a closed grille, and EV-specific badging. These changes visually distinguished it from its ICE counterpart while retaining the Nexon’s signature bold look.

Tata Nexon Facelift Launched in 2020

To stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market, Tata launched the Nexon facelift in January 2020, incorporating significant updates in design, features, and performance.

Key Highlights

The 2020 facelift brought a sharper and more aggressive design, inspired by Tata’s “Impact Design 2.0” philosophy. It featured a new tri-arrow grille, redesigned bumpers, and LED DRLs. The interiors received a makeover with a digital instrument cluster, an updated infotainment system, and improved material quality.

Engine Options

The Nexon facelift was powered by BS6-compliant versions of the 1.2-litre Revotron petrol and 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel engines. It continued to offer both manual and AMT options, catering to a wide range of buyers.

Safety Highlights

Tata Motors emphasised safety in the Nexon facelift, earning a 5-star rating in Global NCAP crash tests. It became the first made-in-India car to achieve this feat. Safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, and hill-assist were made standard across all variants, setting a new benchmark for safety in the segment.

Naming Changes for Nexon EV Variants in 2022

As the EV market matured in India, Tata Motors revised the naming conventions for Nexon EV variants to better align with customer expectations.

Key Changes

In 2022, the Nexon EV lineup was restructured into two distinct variants: Nexon EV Prime and Nexon EV Max.

• Nexon EV Prime retained the original battery configuration and range of 312 km, focusing on affordability and urban usage.
• Nexon EV Max, launched with a larger 40.5 kWh battery pack, offered a range of 437 km and introduced features like ventilated seats, an air purifier, and multi-mode regenerative braking.
   

This differentiation allowed Tata to cater to both budget-conscious buyers and those who required a long-range EV.

Second Tata Nexon Facelift Launched in 2023

In 2023, Tata Motors introduced a second facelift for the Nexon, further refining its design and feature set to stay ahead in the competitive compact SUV market.

Key Highlights

The second facelift brought significant design updates inspired by the Curvv and Harrier EV concepts, including a sleeker front grille, redesigned LED lighting elements, and larger alloy wheels. The interior featured a new two-spoke steering wheel, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 360-degree camera. Additionally, Tata introduced advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking, elevating the Nexon’s safety and tech credentials.

In terms of dimensions, the new Nexon is slightly larger. It’s 2mm longer, and 14mm taller, while width has gone down by 7mm. Wheelbase and ground clearance for the facelifted Nexon remain the same at 2,498mm and 208mm, respectively.

As for power, the Nexon facelift continues with the same 120 bhp, 170 Nm 1.2-litre turbopetrol and 115 bhp, 260 Nm 1.5-litre diesel. Alongside the 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT transmission options, Tata also offers a 5-speed manual or 7-speed DCT for petrol engine variants. Lastly, the Nexon facelift’s trims are now changed to Smart, Smart+, Smart+ S, Pure, Pure S, Creative, Creative+, Fearless, Fearless S, and Fearless+ S. The ‘+’ basically means an optional package, while the ‘S’ denotes the addition of a sunroof.

Nexon EV Facelift Launched in 2023

Alongside the ICE Nexon facelift, Tata launched an updated version of the Nexon EV in 2023, incorporating design and feature upgrades to align with its ICE sibling.

Key Highlights

The Nexon EV facelift introduced a refreshed design with aerodynamic enhancements to improve efficiency. It featured updated battery management software, boosting real-world range (claimed ARAI-rated range of up to 465 km). The cabin received premium updates, including connected car technology, voice commands, and enhanced comfort features, making it a competitive option in the growing EV segment.

Comparing Old vs. New Tata Nexon Models

The evolution of the Tata Nexon over the years is a testament to Tata Motors’ commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. The following table is a side-by-side comparison of the key features, design, and specifications across different Nexon models, including EV variants.

Conclusion

The Tata Nexon’s journey is a story of evolution, innovation, and customer-centricity. From its bold debut in 2017 to its groundbreaking EV variants and continuous updates, the Nexon has stayed relevant in a highly competitive segment. Tata’s focus on safety, design, and feature-rich offerings has helped the Nexon become one of the best-selling compact SUVs in India. With its future-proof approach, the Nexon is poised to remain a market leader in both ICE and EV spaces.