Buying a new car in India is a big decision, isn't it? You're thinking about your budget, how safe the car is for your family, what the monthly maintenance will look like, whether it has all the latest features, and if the company offers good after-sales service. It's a lot to consider! Today, we're going to dive deep into a car that aims to tick many of these boxes for Indian buyers: the new Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel.

The Tata Nexon has always been a strong contender in the compact SUV segment, known for its bold design and excellent safety. With the latest updates, Tata has made it even more appealing. We'll specifically look at the Smart Plus Diesel variant, which offers a great balance of features, performance, and value. Let's explore what makes this variant a smart choice for you.

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The heart of the Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel is its capable engine, designed to offer both power and fuel efficiency for city drives and highway cruises.

• Engine Type: 1.5 Litre Revotorq Diesel Engine
• Maximum Power: 115 PS at 3750 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 260 Nm between 1500-2750 rpm
• Transmission: Available with a 6-speed Manual Transmission

Design Overview

The Nexon Smart Plus Diesel carries forward the refreshed design language of the Nexon facelift, giving it a modern and aggressive look.

Exterior

• Front: Features a sharp, split headlamp design with sleek LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and a redesigned grille for a futuristic appeal.
• Side: Maintains its signature coupe-like roofline, robust wheel arches, and clear lines, giving it a strong road presence.
• Rear: The standout feature is the connected LED tail lamps, providing a premium and wide look, especially at night.

Interior

• Dashboard: The cabin gets a clean and modern dashboard layout, with a user-friendly design and good material quality for its segment.
• Seating: Offers comfortable seating for five adults, with decent legroom and headroom, making it suitable for family use.
• Overall Feel: The interior feels spacious and practical, focusing on driver and passenger comfort for daily commutes and longer journeys.

Key Features

While the Smart Plus is a mid-range variant, it still packs essential features to enhance your driving experience and comfort.

• Infotainment System: 7-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Connectivity: Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration
• Sound System: 4 Speakers and 2 Tweeters
• Lighting: LED DRLs, LED Tail Lamps
• Convenience: All Power Windows, Manual Air Conditioning, Electrically Adjustable ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors)
• Driver Aids: Rear Parking Sensors

What is the Ground Clearance of Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel?

One of the biggest advantages of an SUV in India is its ability to handle various road conditions. The Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel offers excellent ground clearance.

• Ground Clearance: 208 mm

This impressive ground clearance ensures you can comfortably tackle speed breakers, potholes, and unpaved roads without worry.

What is the Boot Space of Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel?

For families or those who travel frequently, boot space is a crucial factor. The Nexon provides ample cargo room.

• Boot Space: 382 Litres

This space is sufficient for your weekend getaways or daily grocery runs.

What are the Dimensions of Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel?

Understanding the car's dimensions helps you visualize its size and how easily it will fit into your parking spots.

• Length: 3995 mm
• Width: 1804 mm
• Height: 1620 mm
• Wheelbase: 2498 mm

Powertrain Options

While we are focusing on the diesel variant, it's good to know that the Tata Nexon offers a range of powertrain options to suit different preferences.

• Petrol: 1.2 Litre Turbo Petrol (Manual, AMT, DCA)
• Diesel: 1.5 Litre Diesel (Manual, AMT)

The Smart Plus Diesel variant comes specifically with the 1.5L diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Safety Features

Tata Motors has set a high standard for safety in the Indian market, and the Nexon Smart Plus Diesel continues this legacy.

• Airbags: 2 Airbags (Driver and Front Passenger)
• Braking: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Stability Control: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Traction Control: Traction Control System (TCS)
• Hill Hold: Hill Hold Control
• Other Features: Roll Over Mitigation, Brake Disc Wiping, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

NCAP Rating Table

The Tata Nexon holds an impressive safety record, being one of the safest cars in its segment.

This 5-star rating from both Global NCAP and the new Bharat NCAP truly highlights Tata's commitment to passenger safety.

Rivals of Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel

The compact SUV segment in India is highly competitive. The Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel competes with several popular models.

• Maruti Suzuki Brezza
• Hyundai Venue
• Kia Sonet
• Mahindra XUV300
• Nissan Magnite
• Renault Kiger

How is the Car? Pros and Cons

No car is perfect, and the Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel has its strengths and a few areas where it could improve. Here's a balanced look:

Pros

• Top-notch Safety: Impressive 5-star NCAP safety rating.
• Solid Build Quality: Feels robust and well-built.
• Refined Diesel Engine: Offers good performance and fuel efficiency.
• High Ground Clearance: Easily tackles varied Indian road conditions.
• Bold Design: Modern and attractive exterior styling.
• Competitive Value: Excellent value for money, especially with safety features.

Cons

• Feature Omissions: Lacks some premium features (e.g., sunroof, 360-degree camera) available in higher variants or rivals.
• Interior Plastics: While decent, some hard plastics might not feel as premium as top rivals.
• Rear Seat Comfort: Adequate, but not exceptional for very long journeys.
• No Diesel AMT in Smart Plus: Only manual transmission available for this specific diesel variant.

Conclusion

The Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel stands out as a strong contender for Indian car buyers prioritizing safety, efficiency, and a robust build. With its powerful and refined diesel engine, impressive ground clearance, and a modern design, it's well-suited for both city commutes and longer trips.

While it might miss a few top-tier features found in more expensive variants or some rivals, the Smart Plus Diesel offers an unbeatable package of safety, practicality, and value. If you're looking for a dependable, fuel-efficient, and incredibly safe compact SUV that easily handles Indian roads, the Tata Nexon Smart Plus Diesel is a truly smart choice for you.