Hey there, fellow car enthusiasts and prospective buyers! Looking for a new ride in India is always a big decision, isnt it? Youre juggling so many thoughts: How much will it cost upfront? Is it safe for my family? What about monthly running costs and maintenance? Does it come with all the latest features I want? And, of course, how good is the company service network?

Well, if these questions are on your mind, youve landed in the right place. Today, were diving deep into a car that aims to tick all these boxes and more: the new Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG. Tata Motors has been making waves with its innovative twin-cylinder CNG technology, and bringing it to the popular Nexon, especially in the stylish Dark edition, is a game-changer. Lets find out if this fuel-efficient SUV is the perfect fit for your garage.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The heart of the Nexon CNG is Tatas proven 1.2-litre Revotron engine, now available in a Bi-Fuel setup. This means it can run on both petrol and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

• Engine Type: 1.2L Revotron Bi-Fuel (Petrol & CNG)
• Power (CNG Mode): Around 73.5 PS (72.5 bhp) at 6000 rpm
• Torque (CNG Mode): Around 103 Nm at 3250 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT)
• Performance (Petrol Mode): 120 PS at 5500 rpm and 170 Nm at 1750-4000 rpm (When running on petrol, it offers the full power of the regular Nexon petrol)

Design Overview

Exterior Design

The Tata Nexon Dark edition has always stood out, and with the recent facelift, it looks even more aggressive and premium. The Dark theme means:

• Dark Styling: All-black exterior treatment, including dark chrome accents, blacked-out alloys, and a dark finish on the grille and badging.
• Modern Looks: Sharp LED DRLs, a sleek front grille, and connected LED tail lamps give it a futuristic appeal.
• SUV Stance: It retains its robust and commanding sub-compact SUV presence on the road.

Interior Design

Step inside, and the Dark theme continues, creating a sophisticated and sporty cabin experience.

• All-Black Interior: Dark upholstery, dashboard, and door panels enhance the premium feel.
• Premium Materials: Quality materials and a well-finished cabin make for a comfortable space.
• Ergonomic Layout: The dashboard is well laid out, with easy-to-reach controls.

Key Features

The Creative Plus S Dark variant is loaded with features to enhance your driving experience:

• Infotainment System: Large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
• Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
• Connected Car Tech: Tata's iRA connected car technology for various smart features.
• Sunroof: Voice-assisted electric sunroof (the 'S' in Creative Plus S).
• Digital Instrument Cluster: A clear and customizable digital driver display.
• Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless phone charging pad.
• Climate Control: Automatic climate control for optimal cabin temperature.
• Ventilated Front Seats: A fantastic feature for Indias hot climate, keeping you cool on long drives.
• 360-degree Camera: For easy parking and manoeuvring in tight spots.
• Rear AC vents.

What is the Ground Clearance of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG?

The Tata Nexon is known for its robust build and ability to handle Indian road conditions. It offers a generous 208 mm of ground clearance, which is excellent for an SUV in its segment, helping you glide over speed breakers and uneven roads with ease.

What is the Boot Space of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG?

One of the biggest concerns with CNG cars is often the compromised boot space due to the gas cylinder. However, Tata Motors has ingeniously addressed this with their innovative twin-cylinder CNG technology. Instead of one large cylinder, the Nexon CNG uses two smaller cylinders placed under the boot floor.

• Boot Space: Around 230 litres (While slightly less than the petrol variant, this is significantly more usable space than many single-cylinder CNG cars, allowing you to carry luggage without much hassle.)

What are the Dimensions of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG?

The Nexon maintains its compact yet substantial dimensions, making it agile in city traffic and stable on highways.

• Length: 3995 mm
• Width: 1804 mm
• Height: 1620 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Nexon is one of the few SUVs in India offering a wide range of powertrain choices, catering to diverse needs:

• Petrol
• Diesel
• Electric (Nexon EV)
• Now, CNG (Bi-Fuel)

Safety Features

Safety is a cornerstone for Tata Motors, and the Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG continues this tradition. It comes packed with essential and advanced safety features:

• 6 Airbags (Standard)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Traction Control (TC)
• Hill Hold Control
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Rear Parking Sensors with Camera
• ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

NCAP Rating Table

The Tata Nexon has consistently set benchmarks in safety. It is important to note that these ratings typically apply to the petrol/diesel variants tested, but they reflect the core structural integrity and safety engineering of the Nexon platform.

Rivals of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG

The Nexon CNG competes in the highly contested compact SUV segment. Its direct rivals in the CNG space include:

• Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG
• Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG

Other general rivals in the segment are Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza (petrol).

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG

• Excellent Fuel Efficiency: The biggest draw of a CNG car, offering significantly lower running costs.
• Usable Boot Space: The twin-cylinder setup is a game-changer, providing practical boot space unlike many other CNG cars.
• Top-Notch Safety: A 5-star safety rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP provides immense peace of mind.
• Premium Features: Loaded with modern features like a large touchscreen, sunroof, ventilated seats, and 360-degree camera.
• Stylish Dark Edition: The all-black theme looks very appealing and gives the car a unique road presence.
• Robust Build Quality: Typical Tata build quality feels solid and durable.
• High Ground Clearance: Great for navigating diverse Indian road conditions.

Cons of Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG

• Reduced Power in CNG Mode: Performance is noticeably lower when running on CNG, especially on highways or inclines.
• Limited CNG Refuelling Infrastructure: While improving, CNG pump availability can still be an issue in some regions compared to petrol.
• Boot Space Still Compromised: While better than single-cylinder setups, it's still less than the petrol-only Nexon.
• Higher Initial Cost: CNG variants usually have a higher upfront price compared to their petrol counterparts.
• No Automatic Option: Currently, the CNG variant is only available with a manual transmission.

Conclusion

The Tata Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG emerges as a very compelling package for Indian car buyers. It successfully blends the much-loved attributes of the Nexon - its bold design, segment-leading safety, and feature-rich cabin - with the undeniable advantage of low running costs offered by CNG. The ingenious twin-cylinder setup addresses the common boot space concern, making it a truly practical everyday car.

While the performance in CNG mode is adequate for city commutes, it might feel a bit sluggish on open highways. However, if your priorities are fuel efficiency, safety, and modern features in a stylish SUV package, the Nexon Creative Plus S Dark CNG deserves a top spot on your shortlist. It's a fantastic choice for those looking for a balanced and trustworthy family car that doesnt break the bank on fuel. Go ahead, take a test drive and see if this CNG SUV for India is your perfect match!