2020 Tata Nexon Petrol First Drive Review

Now, I was expecting a palpable difference with uprated power, however, that's not the case. The turbo lag is evident and it feels lazy below 2,000rpm. Even post this, there's no particular strong surge in power delivery and it lacks a punch at low revs. Thankfully, it's only this initial bit which once you get past you will see the speeds climbing at a steady rate. The meat of the power band lies between 2,500rpm-4,000rpm when you will actually feel the difference in moving ahead. It’s sufficient within city speeds and even gets to triple digits on highways, so you won't even have to rev till the redline at 5,500rpm. The mid-range is quite usable for commutes, and with a light clutch to operate, getting from one point to the other becomes convenient. Thankfully, the driving modes are more distinct too. This time, the Eco mode is quite usable and doesn't feel like it's suppressing the response to throttle inputs too much. Switch to the city and then to the sport mode, and you instantly realise the difference with better responses from the engine. Still, this petrol Nexon isn't the one that will appeal to enthusiasts, yet good for ones who don't want to wring out performance.

Its ARAI-claimed fuel-efficiency of 17.4kmpl is achievable with light to moderate throttle inputs. But the Nexon is quite heavy at 1,260kg and needs a bit of rev to get going. Besides, shifting to a lower gear for a quick overtake becomes imperative. In this process, more fuel is used and this was clearly evident in our fuel efficiency tests that returned 13.26kmpl in the city and 14.45kmpl on the highway.

Interestingly, if you've driven the outgoing Nexon, you will be surprised to see how better the SUV handles now. The steering doesn't feel dead in terms of feedback and weighs up quite nicely. It’s quick with less than three turns lock-to-lock, so parking this SUV is quite easy. What's more, this quick turn-in with a good feel and feedback has made the Nexon even better in terms of handling. Sure, there's no running away from the evident body roll on tight bends in this high-riding SUV. But then, it isn't dreadful for occupants and more importantly, it doesn't feel skittish even when pushing hard around corners. I still feel the ABS equipped front disc and rear drum brakes could have done better with more feel and feedback. However, they provide enough braking power for this heavy SUV along with good grip from the GoodYear rubber shod 215/60 section tyres.

Also, shorter people will find it difficult to arrive at a suitable driving position. As they increase seat height, the steering wheel feels too close. And since it’s not a telescopic one, it cannot be adjusted for reach. The thick A-pillar will cause a little hindrance in frontal visibility and a small raked rear windscreen in rearward visibility. Thankfully, a rear camera with sensors helps in reversing. Then, there are plenty of storage places, but cup-holders aren’t large, inconveniently placed, and with fairly narrow access like the USB ports.

The floating screen again looks good but is still cluttered with information. Space-wise, it remains the same with fairly large supportive seats and enough space in the second row to fit three individuals. Shoulder-room might be tight for three but all occupants are pampered with sufficient legroom and headroom. Lastly, the split-fold seats add more flexibility to a 350litre boot space. It’s anyway sufficient to accommodate two big hard case bags and about three soft bags.

In terms of safety, a five-star NCAP safety rating had put a feather in Tata’s cap which continues with plenty of safety equipment. This includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix seats, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger seat belt warning, high-speed warning, and all are mandated by the new safety regulations. In addition, the Nexon also gets ESP, traction control, hill hold, brake assist, and roll-over mitigation.

It's easy-to-recommend too if you aren't expecting an outright performance from the engine, but looking for a quiet and easy-to-drive car. Furthermore, it remains to be the best-in-the-segment when it comes to ride and quality. Another favourable thing is its on-road pricing that not only aligns with most competitors but also undercuts all rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Ford EcoSport, and the Mahindra XUV300. It certainly makes for a great option to consider in this horde of compact SUVs.

Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi