Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. When Mahindra launched the XUV 3XO with a panoramic sunroof, Tata Motors didn’t just sit back. They responded aggressively. The 2025 Tata Nexon isn’t a full generation change, but a strategic “variant rejig” and feature update that fixes exactly what was missing.
It now brings the “Big Daddy” feature—a Voice-Assisted Panoramic Sunroof—to the compact SUV game, along with the revolutionary iCNG (India’s first Turbo CNG). Starting at an attractive ₹7.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom), it promises to be the “complete family SUV.” But after driving it for a week through the chaotic traffic of Mumbai and the open expressways of Pune, does it feel sorted? Let’s find out.
3. QUICK SPECS TABLE: What’s Under the Hood?
Tata offers the widest powertrain choice in India—Petrol, Diesel, CNG, and EV. Here is the spec sheet for the popular Turbo Petrol and Diesel variants.
| Specification | 1.2L Turbo Petrol | 1.5L Diesel |
| Power | 120 PS @ 5500 rpm | 115 PS @ 3750 rpm |
| Torque | 170 Nm @ 1750-4000 rpm | 260 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm |
| Transmission | 5MT / 6MT / 6AMT / 7DCA | 6MT / 6AMT |
| Boot Space | 382 Liters | 382 Liters |
| Ground Clearance | 208 mm (Best in Class) | 208 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 44 Liters | 44 Liters |
4. EXTERIOR DESIGN & ROAD PRESENCE
The 2025 model retains the futuristic “Iron Man-esque” design language introduced in late 2023, but with subtle refinements.
- The Face: The split headlamp setup with sequential LED DRLs still looks sharp. It doesn’t look like a budget car; it looks premium. The “Welcome Function” where the lights dance when you unlock the car is a party trick that never gets old.
- The Side Profile: This is where the 2025 update is visible. The top-spec Fearless+ PS variants now get a contrast black roof that seamlessly blends with the Panoramic Sunroof glass area. The 16-inch alloy wheels have aerodynamic inserts which look cool but might be a pain to clean.
- Rear: The connected tail lamp bar with the “X” factor motif makes the car look wider than it actually is.
Does it turn heads? Definitely. Especially in the new Fearless Purple or Creative Ocean colors.
5. INTERIOR, COMFORT & FEATURES: Tech Overload
Step inside, and the cabin feels like a cockpit. Tata has moved away from the “taxi-market” feel entirely.
- Dashboard & Tech: You are greeted by a massive 10.25-inch infotainment screen by Harman. The touch response is slick, almost smartphone-like. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster displays full-screen maps, which is incredibly useful for navigation.
- The Steering Wheel: The illuminated 2-spoke steering wheel with the glowing Tata logo is a standout. It feels futuristic, though the glossy black buttons are fingerprint magnets.
- Comfort: The front seats are ventilated (a blessing in Indian summers). The cushioning is on the firmer side, which is good for long drives.
- Rear Space: Can 3 people sit at the back? Yes. The cabin width is generous. However, the sloping roofline (due to the coupe-like design) might brush the hair of anyone taller than 6 feet.
- The Star Feature: The Panoramic Sunroof. It opens wide and floods the cabin with light, making the previously dark interior feel airy. This was the one weapon the XUV 3XO had, and now Nexon has it too.
6. ENGINE PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS
I tested the 1.2L Turbo Petrol with the 7-speed DCA (Dual Clutch Automatic).
- City Drive: The DCA gearbox has masked the “turbo lag” well. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, it crawls smoothly. The steering is light at low speeds, making parking easy despite the thick pillars.
- Highway Drive: Shift to ‘Sport’ mode, and the engine character changes. It pulls cleanly to 120 kmph. The car feels rock-solid at high speeds. The “thud” you hear when hitting a pothole reassures you of the build quality.
- Suspension: Tata’s suspension tuning is arguably the best in the segment. It eats up bad roads for breakfast. You don’t slow down for small potholes in a Nexon; you just glide over them.
Note on Diesel: If you are a highway miler, the 1.5L Diesel is still the king of torque (260 Nm). It pulls like a freight train.
7. SAFETY: The Gold Standard
You don’t buy a Tata for the mileage; you buy it for the steel.
- Safety Rating: The Nexon holds a 5-Star Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP rating.
- Standard Kit: 6 Airbags, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ISOFIX, and Hill Hold Assist are standard across all variants.
- Build Quality: The doors are heavy. The bonnet is heavy. In a market of “tin cans,” the Nexon feels like a tank.
8. REAL WORLD MILEAGE (The Truth)
Let’s cut through the ARAI fluff. Here is what the instrument cluster actually showed us after 500km of driving.
| Variant | ARAI Claimed | Real City Mileage | Real Highway Mileage |
| Petrol Manual | 17.44 kmpl | 11.5 – 12.5 kmpl | 15.0 – 16.5 kmpl |
| Petrol DCA | 17.01 kmpl | 10.0 – 11.0 kmpl | 14.5 – 15.5 kmpl |
| Diesel Manual | 23.23 kmpl | 15.0 – 16.5 kmpl | 19.0 – 21.0 kmpl |
| iCNG (CNG Mode) | 24.00 km/kg | 17.0 – 18.5 km/kg | 22.0 – 24.0 km/kg |
The Petrol DCA is thirsty in the city. If your running is high, strictly look at the Diesel or the new iCNG.
9. THE COMPETITION: Nexon vs XUV 3XO vs Brezza
The segment is brutal. Here is how the 2025 Nexon stacks up.
1. Mahindra XUV 3XO
- The Rival: The direct threat. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a more powerful (130 PS) engine.
- Comparison: The XUV 3XO is faster and has more rear legroom. However, the Nexon has a bigger boot (382L vs 295L on 3XO) and better looking rear design.
- Verdict: Choose XUV 3XO for pure performance; Choose Nexon for a balanced family package and boot space.
2. Maruti Brezza
- The Rival: The safe, reliable choice.
- Comparison: Brezza lacks the “wow” factor (no panoramic sunroof, boring interior). But, its 1.5L engine is smoother, and it offers better real-world city mileage.
- Verdict: Choose Brezza only if you want “fill it, shut it, forget it” reliability and don’t care about turbo punch or tech.
Winner: The Tata Nexon wins on “VFM Luxury”. It offers the tech of the XUV and the safety of a tank, finding a sweet middle ground.
Read More : Mahindra XUV400
10. FINAL VERDICT
The 2025 Tata Nexon proves why it has been India’s #1 selling SUV for so long. It is not perfect—the petrol engine can be noisy, and the fit-and-finish still has minor inconsistencies compared to a Hyundai.
However, as a complete package, it is hard to beat. It looks like a concept car, protects like a tank, and now with the panoramic sunroof, feels like a luxury car inside.
Score: 8.5/10
Buy it if:
- You want Safety First: 5-Star rating is non-negotiable for you.
- You want the “Big Car” feel: The suspension and high seating position command respect on the road.
- You love Tech: The map-on-cluster and 360-degree camera are segment-best implementations.
Skip it if:
- You want refined Petrol engine: The 3-cylinder engine vibrates at idle. Maruti and Hyundai 4-cylinders are smoother.
- You hate Touch Controls: The AC panel is touch-based. It looks cool but is distracting to use while driving.
- You drive heavily in traffic: The Petrol Automatic mileage (10-11 kmpl) will pinch your wallet.
11. FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q: What is the on-road price of the top model in 2025?
A: The top-spec Nexon Fearless+ PS DCA (Petrol) costs approx ₹16.50 – ₹17.00 Lakh on-road in Mumbai/Delhi. The Diesel top model touches ₹18.00 Lakh.
Q: Is the iCNG version worth it?
A: Absolutely. It is India’s first Turbo CNG. You get decent power (unlike non-turbo CNGs) and usable boot space because Tata uses “Twin Cylinder” technology hidden below the floor.
Q: Does it have a panoramic sunroof?
A: Yes, the new 2025 “PS” variants (Creative+ PS and Fearless+ PS) come with a voice-assisted Panoramic Sunroof.
