Fresh Face, Fresh Colours

The Tata Nexon has been given a new lease of life six years after its launch. We took both petrol and diesel variants for a spin in Jaipur

- Joshua Varghese

IN 2017, TATA MOTORS LAUNCHED A CAR THAT cemented their footing in the modern compact SUV segment. The Nexon was the only car in its range that had a coupé-SUV body shape and it gave rise to a lot of interest among prospective buyers. So much so that it sold in big numbers, the most recent being five lakh units in cumulative sales. Of course, being the first Indian car to receive a full safety rating in GNCAP crash tests only added to its allure. Six years down the line, Tata have decided to rekindle the flame with a comprehensive facelift and we went to Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan, to drive the cars and bring you the essentials.

The most obvious change and one that gave the Nexon a lot of limelight on social media platforms is the new design. The silhouette of the car remains largely unchanged but with significantly revised front and rear ends. Daytime running lights (DRL) are separate and also the highest lighting element at the front of the car and they come to life with a dynamic lighting sequence. Just below them are the reworked grille and the stacked headlights and fog-lights in the bumper.

Tata claim that the 16inch alloys have received some aerodynamic treatment and they are the most noteworthy new element in an otherwise unchanged profile. At the rear, changes are evident but not as radical as the ones at the front. While the shape matches the outgoing model, the tail-light that runs the width of the boot is both reminiscent of the Avinya concept and also gives this car its own identity.

It is heartening to see Tata bring some of the elements from their concepts to life. Furthermore, their choice of colours infuses a fresh lease of life into a segment that is overloaded with drab hues. Overall, the new Nexon is sleeker and more modern than the car it replaces. It is longer (five millimetres short of four metres), narrower, and taller than the previous generation model.