Passengers at the rear are treated to dedicated air-vents with a two-stage blower, though. When you step inside, the first thing you wonder about is if this really is a sub-4m SUV. This time around it is the Nexon that has arrived late to the compact SUV party, but it makes a very fashionable entrance and hopes to change our expectations of brand Tata. Concept CrazeAs you can see only the show-car bits like the LED headlamps and cameras that were used instead of ORVMs have been replaced.  

Improper shut lines, scratchy panels and the loose console for the power window adjustment on the cars were disappointing. We expect the Nexon to be made available in four variants for both engine options.  On the Nexon, the 8-speaker Harman sound system uses four amps to charge up a pair of speakers! And the sound is rich!  The cabin of the Nexon strikes you to be more impressive than its rivals too. For two, the smartly scooped out backseat is going to feel like a treat.  In terms of resolution and brightness alone, the new 6.Tata Motors may have arrived late to some of the buzziest segments in the Indian car market, but with each successive launch Tata has made a bigger splash. Especially if you start from the second row. Three-abreast? Sure, sort of. Thankfully, the front doors get full-size bottle holders and the party trick here is an umbrella holder. The Nexon’s best angle has to be the profile; it looks sleek and sporty, but tough. Still, it looks like a well-balanced design.The face wears a look we have seen on newer Tatas, although the large flared headlamps add a new twist. It looks crisp and is legible even in bright sunlight. The bumper looks chunky and is actually integrated into the tail gate! Don’t worry though, as the bumps and scrapes will be tackled by the tough grey plastic section that juts out a bit from underneath. This takes some time to get things cooled as this unit picks up the air from the side of the floor mounted unit and shoots it out towards you. But the second row splits and folds flat to give you lots of flexibility to carry passengers and luggage.5 inch colour display is a big upgrade over units seen in Tatas before. At 1607mm, the Nexon won’t stand as tall as its Japanese and American competition, but the 209mm of ground clearance, when unladen, has it standing well clear off the ground.  

Its 2498mm wheelbase is almost as much as the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, but smaller than the Fords EcoSport. As a tribute to the Indian sub-continent, there is a lioness and a cub on the rear windscreen, and as if to make a point, there’s a tiger in the large glove box too! Do numbers lie?Apparently, they do.In terms of design, the steering wheel and instrument cluster are familiar, but the restrained dash design, the colours and the infotainment screen propped up on the dash make the Nexon look like a European luxury car!The highlight of the infotainment system has to be the sheer genius of mounting physical control buttons that are mounted under the aircon vents at the centre. Under a cool rolling shutter, officially known as the Tambour sliding door, are two shallow cup holders, which will be impossible to use because the opening is narrow and the bin is deep. The Nexon, like its competitors, is just under four metres long, but at 1811mm the Nexon is the widest. The umbrella, though, needs to be a short one and requires force to be wedged in.There are some ergonomic gaffes as well.The really dramatic part of the design has to be the rear. The white sash that runs along the window line is a signature element, but the finish isn’t slick enough. The interface also prefers it if you use these buttons, responding in a properly snappy manner; poke a finger at the screen and the response is just a bit reluctant. Inside it are LED DRLs and projector lamps but there are no LED headlamps here. The Nexon gets a flip-up tailgate, which gives you easy access to the 350-litre boot which is not class leading. But it is clear that Impact design language is infusing a distinct flavour into Tata products.  So that means the Nexon carries on with the swoopy crossover stance. The plush switches for the power windows and well-damped stalks for wipers and indicators add to the experience.  

With the power of brand new engines, more features and a design that is meant to wow, it makes a whole-hearted attempt at tempting you away from the competition. We cast iron wheels re nitpicking, but the cushioning could've been firmer and set a bit higher for better under-thigh support. But, as you look closely, the way it comes together doesn’t inspire too much faith.  Seating six-footers? No problem! The coupe like roofline shouldn’t foul with turbans either. It is wide enough to accommodate three, but the middle occupant will have to deal with a shorter seat base and a protruding backrest. Overall, the Nexon is a sporty looking machine that might not win SUV lovers who want a traditional and square design. The white sash continues to flow in here and wraps around the diced tail lamps that pack smooth LED lamps. Surprising? Very! There’s plenty of room for long shanks too. Fabric for door pads, the glossy silver panel on the dash and the textured plastic for the dash top look good and feel solid too. For instance, the Nexon has a few wild secrets too. The introduction of plug-and-play connectivity with smartphones via Android Auto is very welcome, while Apple CarPlay will be integrated by the time of launch. For instance, to get to the USB port will require dainty hands.  

The finish of # the white band is much better here as it is made out of metal, whereas it is in a special plastic design at the side. The way the grey colour roof swoops down like a coupe, contrasts with the rugged plastic rub-strips. . These shortcut keys and dials fall easily to hand and allow you to navigate through the menu easily, reducing the need to take your eyes off the road. The Nexon’s reversing camera’s resolution isn’t all that crisp, however, you do get bending guidelines to make reversing easier.  But, what is the Nexon really like? We spent a day with the petrol and diesel variants of the Tata Nexon to get some answers. The chunky 215/60 R16 tyres that peek out at all four corners give it a very confident stance.