The compact SUV segment will get a new entrant in the form of the Tata Nexon. It’s a big step from Tata and brings them into competition with Maruti’s Vitara Brezza which is currently the segment leader and that too by a far margin. So does the Nexon have what it takes to rival the Brezza? Here are the facts and figures.
It is the big one, this spec comparison as a new player is entering one of the most important and fastest growing segments in the Indian market. It is the compact SUV segment and the new player is, of course, Tata, which is launching its Nexon later this year. It will go up against the most significant player in the market- the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The latter has been a major boom for its parent company as it has managed to sell over one lakh units in just a year since the car was launched and it has also sealed Maruti Suzuki’s place in this part of the market. But then Tata’s new product too looks quite promising and will be a first time venture for the Mumbai-based automaker and it looks like they have put quite a bit of effort behind the vehicle to make it a strong contender.
Exterior
This is actually pretty straight forward as the Vitara Brezza is the traditional approach to SUVs with its boxy lines, plain jane wheel design and mostly rectangular elements including the head lamps and tail lamps. In contrast, the Nexon has gone for the crossover approach and is a combination of curves, swoopy lines and heavily flared wheel arches that give the car a squat and forward leaning stance. In terms of visual appeal too, there are more elements and colours on the Nexon as compared to the Vitara Brezza, even if you consider the latter with the iSelect design packages.
Interior
The exterior and interior present similar stories in terms of what both cars have to offer. The Brezza plays safe with a traditional all-black cabin and a myriad of electronic features borrowed from various Maruti Suzuki models. You get the segment standard features like touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, pseudo leather seats, seat height adjustment and of course, plenty of storage spaces across the cabin.
Much of the Nexon’s cabin design appears to be borrowed from the likes of the Tigor as well as the Hexa. It’s a familiar space and also gets segment standard features like climate control, touchscreen infotainment system and rear AC vents (with side ventilation). In terms of measurements, the cars are very evenly matched and there is almost nothing to separate them when it comes to outright numbers.
The all-important boot space has been pegged at 350-litres for the Nexon and 328-litres for the Vitara Brezza giving the Nexon a slight advantage in terms of volumes. But in reality, this could be the difference between a bag in the boot and having to put one in the cabin.
Performance
The Nexon is being offered with Tata’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 108bhp/260Nm of torque with power going to the front wheels via a six-speed MT. You can also have it with a 1.2-litre petrol motor that produces 108bhp/170Nm of torque and mated to a six-speed MT.
The Vitara Brezza, on the other hand, is offered only as a diesel and this is the famous 1.3-litre Multijet diesel which in this state of tune produces 89bhp/200Nm of torque and is mated to a five-speed manual. In some foreign markets, the Brezza has been introduced with an AMT option and this is likely to reach India by the end of this year.
Conclusion
The Tata Nexon will make its debut later this year and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 9.5 lakhs. This means it will start and end at an earlier price range as compared to the Brezza. Additionally, the petrol option will open the car up to a wider number of buyers who want the SUV but not drive as much to justify the extra cost of a diesel.
