The morning sun glints off the Royal Blue paint of the 2025 Tata Nexon as I navigate the bustling streets of Mumbai. It’s been nearly eight years since Tata Motors first introduced the Nexon to Indian consumers, and the journey from underdog to segment staple has been nothing short of remarkable. With its latest iteration for 2025, Tata has once again refined its formula, addressing customer feedback while maintaining the core attributes that made the Nexon a household name.
A Design That Demands Attention
The 2025 Nexon continues to evolve the dramatic styling overhaul that began with the 2023 facelift. Where the original Nexon’s design divided opinion with its quirky elements, the current generation commands respect with its purposeful stance and contemporary detailing. The front fascia maintains the distinctive LED light signature that stretches across the width of the vehicle – a design element that has become something of a calling card for modern Tata vehicles.
“We wanted to maintain the instantly recognizable character of the Nexon while pushing its visual appeal forward,” explains Prakash Sharma, Design Head at Tata Motors, during my visit to their design studio in Pune. “The challenge was balancing distinctiveness with broad appeal.”
For 2025, Tata has introduced two new colors that have quickly become favorites among buyers – Royal Blue and Grassland Beige – while the previously available Fearless Purple has been discontinued. These new shades complement the existing palette of Daytona Grey, Pure Grey, Pristine White, and the exclusive Carbon Black reserved for the Dark Edition models.
My test vehicle’s Royal Blue paintwork shifts subtly under different lighting conditions, sometimes appearing almost navy in shadow, then brightening to a vibrant hue in direct sunlight. The contrasting white roof (a ₹15,000 option) enhances the floating-roof effect that has become a signature Nexon styling cue.
The proportions remain characteristically compact – necessary to fit within India’s sub-4-meter tax bracket – but clever design elements like the flared wheel arches and prominent shoulder line lend the Nexon visual mass beyond its dimensions. At 3,995mm long, 1,804mm wide, and 1,620mm tall, the Nexon makes efficient use of its footprint.
Walk around to the rear, and you’ll find the distinctive tri-arrow LED taillights that debuted with the 2023 redesign. They frame a clean tailgate that eschews excessive badging for a more premium appearance. The dual-tone bumper with integrated reflectors completes the rear view, while the 215/60 R16 alloy wheels on my Fearless+ PS test vehicle feature a diamond-cut finish that adds a touch of sophistication.
Inside: Addressing the Details
Step inside the 2025 Nexon, and you’re greeted by an interior that has matured significantly since the model’s inception. The dashboard design, centered around dual 10.25-inch displays, creates a tech-forward impression that aligns with current buyer expectations.
“Interior quality has been a focus area for the 2025 updates,” reveals Rajesh Kumar, Senior Manager for Quality Assurance at Tata’s Pune plant. “We’ve implemented additional quality gates specifically targeting panel fit and material consistency.”
These efforts are noticeable. While earlier Nexon models sometimes suffered from inconsistent panel gaps and material quality, the 2025 version shows marked improvement. The soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard with contrast stitching adds a premium touch, though some harder plastics lower in the cabin reveal the vehicle’s price-conscious positioning.
The dual-screen setup remains a highlight, with both the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster measuring 10.25 inches. The interface has been refined for 2025, with more intuitive menus and quicker response times addressing complaints about the previous generation’s occasional sluggishness. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all but the base Smart variant, and the system now includes connected car technology that allows remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app.
Seating comfort is a mixed bag. The front ventilated leatherette seats in my test vehicle offer good bolstering and cooling functionality that proves invaluable during Mumbai’s notorious summer heat. However, the rear bench, while spacious enough for two adults, features a relatively upright backrest angle that may prove tiring on longer journeys. The sloping roofline, while stylish from the outside, does impinge somewhat on rear headroom for passengers over six feet tall.
Practical storage solutions abound, from the cooled glovebox to the numerous cubbies scattered throughout the cabin. The 382-liter boot capacity is adequate rather than exceptional for the segment, but the flat load floor and wide opening make it usable for everyday needs. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats extend versatility when needed.
Powertrains: Covering All Bases
Tata has strategically expanded the Nexon’s powertrain lineup for 2025, offering something for nearly every buyer preference. The mainstay remains the 1.2-liter turbocharged Revotron petrol engine, developing 120PS (88.2kW) of power and 170Nm of torque. This can be paired with either a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT, or the newer 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The diesel option continues with the 1.5-liter turbocharged Revotorq motor, producing 115PS (84.5kW) and a healthy 260Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed AMT.
Perhaps the most significant addition to the lineup for 2025 is the CNG variant, which uses the same 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine but modified to run on compressed natural gas. This makes the Nexon the first CNG car in India to be powered by a turbocharged engine – a technological achievement that demonstrates Tata’s commitment to alternative fuel options.
My test vehicle came equipped with the 1.2-liter turbo-petrol paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission – the most sophisticated combination in the range. Initial impressions are positive; the powertrain feels responsive in urban environments, with the dual-clutch transmission making light work of Mumbai’s stop-start traffic.
The turbocharger provides noticeable boost from around 1,800rpm, though there is some lag below this threshold that requires acclimatization. Once on boost, the engine pulls cleanly to its redline, accompanied by a muted but characterful three-cylinder thrum. The transmission shifts smoothly during normal driving, though it can occasionally hesitate when rapid downshifts are demanded for overtaking maneuvers.
Fuel efficiency remains a strong suit. During my week with the vehicle, covering approximately 450 kilometers of mixed urban and highway driving, the onboard computer displayed an average consumption of 13.8 km/l – respectable considering Mumbai’s notorious traffic conditions and the vehicle’s turbocharged nature.
The transmission offers three driving modes – Eco, City, and Sport – which alter throttle response and shift patterns. Most drivers will find City mode the best compromise, while Eco noticeably dulls responsiveness in the pursuit of efficiency. Sport mode holds gears longer and provides more immediate throttle response, useful for highway overtaking but unnecessary for everyday driving.
Driving Dynamics: Confident Composure
The Nexon has always been known for its polished road manners, and the 2025 model continues this tradition. The suspension setup – MacPherson struts up front and a twist-beam arrangement at the rear – strikes a well-judged balance between comfort and control.
Mumbai’s notoriously poor road surfaces proved little challenge for the Nexon, with the suspension absorbing impacts without transmitting excessive harshness to the cabin. There’s some initial firmness to the ride, especially at lower speeds, but this translates to commendable body control when pushing harder on flowing roads.
The elevated seating position provides good visibility, helping navigate through tight urban spaces, while the 208mm ground clearance allows the Nexon to traverse rough patches with confidence. This combination of attributes makes it particularly well-suited to Indian road conditions, where unpredictable surfaces are the norm rather than the exception.
The steering, electrically assisted, offers reasonable weight and precision. There’s limited feedback about what the front wheels are doing, but the system is consistently weighted and allows for precise placement of the vehicle. At highway speeds, the Nexon tracks straight with minimal corrections required, instilling confidence during long journeys.
Braking performance from the disc/drum setup (front/rear) proved adequate during normal driving, with a progressive pedal that’s easy to modulate in traffic. More aggressive stops revealed some front-end dive, but overall stopping distances remained consistent even after multiple hard applications.
Perhaps most impressive is the refinement. Wind and road noise are well-suppressed at highway speeds, with only the engine note becoming intrusive when pushed hard. This level of noise isolation wasn’t always a given in this segment, and represents significant progress for Indian automotive engineering.
Safety: The Nexon’s Strongest Card
Safety remains the Nexon’s trump card, with its five-star GNCAP rating (under the previous testing protocol) still a significant marketing advantage. The 2025 model continues to offer six airbags as standard across all variants – a feature that some competitors reserve for higher trim levels.
The safety package includes electronic stability control, traction control, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Higher variants like my test vehicle add a tire pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera with front parking sensors, and a blind-spot monitor.
“Safety is non-negotiable for us,” states Vivek Srivatsa, Head of Marketing at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, during a product presentation. “It’s not just about crash protection but also accident avoidance through active safety systems.”
While some competitors have introduced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features to the segment, Tata has thus far chosen to focus on core safety fundamentals rather than more advanced electronic aids. Whether this represents a missed opportunity or a pragmatic approach to the Indian market remains debatable, but the foundations for excellent occupant protection are certainly in place.
Variant Strategy: Simplified but Comprehensive
For 2025, Tata has rationalized the Nexon’s variant structure, discontinuing the Pure, Pure S, Creative Plus, and Fearless trims while introducing new options like Pure+, Pure+ S, and Creative+ PS. The lineup now follows a clearer hierarchy: Smart, Pure, Creative, and Fearless.
The base Smart variant covers essential needs with dual airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors, and power windows, but lacks many convenience features. Most buyers will likely start their consideration with the Pure+ trim, which adds the 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, a reverse camera, and automatic climate control.
Step up to the Creative trim, and you’ll find additions like a 360-degree camera, keyless entry, and push-button start. The flagship Fearless+ PS variant (as tested) includes virtually every feature available, including ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, JBL premium audio, and the digital instrument cluster.
Pricing remains competitive, starting at ₹8.00 lakh for the base Smart variant and extending to ₹15.60 lakh for the top-spec Fearless+ PS diesel AMT (all prices ex-showroom). This positions the Nexon against established rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, and the newer Mahindra XUV3XO.
Market Position: Holding Strong
The Nexon remains a crucial product for Tata Motors, consistently featuring among the top-selling SUVs in India. April 2025 sales figures show the Nexon (including its electric variant) secured the second position in the sub-compact SUV segment with 15,547 units sold, trailing only the Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
This sales performance is impressive given the increasingly crowded segment and the Nexon’s premium positioning relative to some competitors. Its success can be attributed to several factors: the strong safety credentials, diverse powertrain options, feature-rich equipment list, and Tata’s improved brand perception in the passenger vehicle market.
The introduction of the CNG variant has further broadened the Nexon’s appeal, offering a lower running cost alternative without sacrificing the turbocharged performance that distinguishes it from naturally-aspirated competitors. This strategy of covering multiple powertrain bases – petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric (via the separately marketed Nexon EV) – gives Tata a unique advantage in responding to shifting consumer preferences.
Living with the Nexon: Ownership Experience
Beyond the vehicle itself, the ownership experience plays a crucial role in consumer satisfaction. Tata Motors has made significant strides in this area, though challenges remain.
Service intervals for the Nexon follow a standard pattern: the first at 15,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first, followed by similar intervals thereafter. Scheduled maintenance costs remain competitive for the segment, though parts pricing for unscheduled repairs has occasionally been criticized as higher than some rivals.
The standard warranty package covers 3 years or 100,000 kilometers, with extended warranty options available at additional cost. This matches industry standards but doesn’t exceed them.
Tata’s dealer network has expanded significantly in recent years, improving accessibility for service and support. However, consistency of service quality across dealerships remains an area where Tata continues to work toward matching the benchmark set by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
The Tata Motors smartphone app provides remote connectivity features for higher variants, allowing owners to track vehicle location, check vehicle health, and control certain functions remotely. The implementation is functional if not cutting-edge, with occasional reliability issues reported by some users.
Conclusion: Refined Evolution
The 2025 Tata Nexon represents a thoughtful evolution of a product that has become increasingly central to Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle strategy. It builds on the dramatic redesign from 2023 with targeted improvements that address customer feedback while maintaining the core attributes that have made the Nexon successful.
Is it perfect? No. The fit and finish still occasionally falls short of the benchmark set by Korean manufacturers, the infotainment system could be more intuitive, and the absence of ADAS features might deter some technology-focused buyers. The rear seat comfort could also use improvement for longer journeys.
However, these shortcomings must be balanced against the Nexon’s numerous strengths: its distinctive design, impressive safety credentials, diverse powertrain options, competitive pricing, and overall value proposition. The addition of turbo-CNG technology demonstrates Tata’s commitment to innovation within practical constraints.
For Indian consumers seeking a compact SUV that balances style, safety, and substance, the 2025 Nexon remains a compelling option. It may not excel in every category, but it offers one of the most well-rounded packages in its segment – a testament to Tata Motors’ growing maturity as a passenger vehicle manufacturer.
After a week with the 2025 Nexon, I’m returning the keys impressed by how far both the model and the brand have come. From a quirky outlier to a segment stalwart, the Nexon’s journey parallels Tata Motors’ own evolution in the passenger vehicle space. The 2025 iteration may not revolutionize the formula, but it refines it in ways that matter to everyday owners – exactly what a mature product should do.
Arjun Mehta is an automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the Indian car market. He lives in Mumbai and has previously owned two generations of Tata vehicles.