Tata Nexon Facelift Review: The Cyberpunk Compact SUV

The Tata Nexon has long been the segment leader, but with the latest facelift, Tata hasn’t just updated it; they’ve reinvented its personality. It has shed its curvy, smiley face for a sharp, Robocop-esque design language that screams future.

Here is the professional enthusiast’s breakdown.

🤖 Design: Concept Car for the Road

The first thing that hits you is the Lighting Signature.

  • Front: The split headlamp setup and the sequential LED DRLs give it a wide, tech-heavy look.
  • Rear: The X-factor taillamps with the “welcome/goodbye” animation add a premium touch previously seen only in Audis.

Enthusiast Verdict: It’s bold. While the previous generation was safe, this one is polarizing in a good way. It looks expensive.

🎛️ The Cabin: Tech Overload

Step inside, and the transformation is radical.

  • The Steering Wheel: The new two-spoke wheel with the Illuminated Logo is the centerpiece. Ideally, it looks stunning, though it’s a fingerprint magnet.
  • Screens Everywhere: The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is crisp and customizable (you can have the map fill the screen), and the 10.25-inch infotainment system finally feels responsive and slick.
  • Touch Panel: Tata has replaced physical buttons for AC controls with a touch panel.
    • Critique: While it looks clean, tactile feedback is king while driving. Having to look down to adjust the fan speed is a slight ergonomic miss for the purist.

⚙️ Engineering & Drive

1. The DCA Gearbox (Finally!)

The biggest win for the petrol enthusiast is the 7-speed DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic) paired with the 1.2L Turbo Petrol.

  • The Feel: It’s lightyears ahead of the jerky AMT. Shifts are seamless, and it masks the 3-cylinder engine’s vibrations well. It makes the Nexon feel sophisticated in city traffic.
  • Paddle Shifters: Yes, it has them. And yes, they are fun for quick overtakes.

2. Diesel is King

Tata is one of the few retaining a punchy 1.5L Diesel engine. It remains the torque monster of the segment (260 Nm). If you do highway runs, this engine is the superior pick over the petrol.

3. Ride & Handling

The Nexon has always had a “big car” feel, and that remains. It flattens bad roads with arrogance. The suspension is slightly firm, which means body roll is well-contained in corners, inspiring confidence at triple-digit speeds.

🛡️ Safety: The Benchmark

5 Stars. G-NCAP. The Nexon started the safety revolution in India, and the facelift continues it with 6 Airbags Standard across all variants, ESP, and 3-point seatbelts for all passengers. It feels built like a tank, and that reassurance is worth the price of entry.

🏁 Verdict

The Tata Nexon Facelift is no longer just a “value” proposition; it is a Lifestyle Product.

  • Buy it for: The concept-car looks, the reassuring safety, and the DCA gearbox convenience.
  • Skip it if: You want the most refined 4-cylinder petrol engine (the Brezza/Venue still have an edge there) or if you hate touch-sensitive climate controls.

It is sophisticated, digital, and undeniably the most “modern” driving experience in the compact SUV space right now.