The Tata Nexon is India's top-selling compact SUV, and Tata is already building its next version. Test cars, codenamed Garud, have been spotted on our roads under heavy cover. The big questions for you: will the diesel survive, when does it land, and is it worth waiting? Here's what's real and what's still guesswork.
Next-gen Tata Nexon 2027: what's confirmed (and what's not)
Let's keep this honest. What's confirmed is that Tata is testing a next-gen Nexon, internally called Garud, on Indian roads. The rest is expected, not final. It's likely to arrive in 2027, but Tata hasn't announced a launch date yet. So ignore any specific 'festive 2027' claim you see. Petrol and CNG are expected to stay, a new EV is expected separately, and the 1.5 diesel's future is uncertain. Treat every design and feature detail below as early-stage, since the test car still uses temporary parts.
Spy shots decoded: flatter roof, upright C-pillar, bigger spoiler
The overall size looks close to today's Nexon, but several panels appear reworked. The biggest change is the C-pillar (the rear roof support), which looks more upright and chunky. The current Nexon has a sloping, coupe-like roof; the test car seems to get a flatter roofline. That could free up more rear headroom, handy for taller passengers on a Lonavala trip. The A-pillar looks sharper too, and the rear gets a flatter windscreen, a new tailgate and a bigger roof spoiler. Since it wears temporary tail lamps, the final production design will likely look different.
Petrol, CNG stay; diesel may go: the emission-rule squeeze
The next Nexon is expected to keep the familiar engines. Today's 1.2 turbo-petrol makes 118 bhp and 170 Nm (pulling power), and the 1.5 diesel makes 113 bhp with a strong 260 Nm. The star act stays too: India's first turbo-CNG SUV, making 99 bhp with a clever twin-cylinder 60 L (30+30) setup that still leaves a 321 L boot. But the diesel may be dropped, because updating it for stricter emission rules could push costs up. A flex-fuel option (an engine that can run on higher ethanol blends like E20 or E85) could also come. Ethanol is cleaner and cheaper, but it slightly lowers mileage and pumps are still limited outside a few states.
New Nexon EV: a separate electric version expected
Tata is expected to bring a new-generation Nexon EV as well. The likely plan is to sell the electric version separately from the petrol and CNG cars. That gives Tata petrol, CNG and electric all in one compact-SUV family. Battery, range and charging details aren't out yet, so wait for official numbers before comparing it to rivals. One reminder for EV buyers: there's no central cash subsidy on an electric car, only state road-tax or registration waivers, so check your RTO.
Expected cabin, features and safety
The dashboard is expected to get a full rework with new digital screens and an updated infotainment system. For context, today's Nexon already packs a 26.03 cm HARMAN touchscreen, a 26.03 cm digital cluster, a JBL 9-speaker setup and a 360-degree camera. The current car also has optional Level-2 ADAS (safety tech that can brake and steer-correct for you) on the top Fearless+ PS DCA. Safety is a strong card: the present Nexon has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating with 6 airbags and ESP. Expect the next-gen to build on this, not go backwards.
Tata Nexon
SUV
Nexon 2027 rivals: Brezza, Venue, Sonet, XUV 3XO and new EVs
The next Nexon enters a crowded sub-4-metre SUV segment. It will keep fighting the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Fresh names like the Mahindra Vision S and Renault Bridger will add more pressure. Among today's listed price rivals, the Hyundai Exter starts at ₹5.81 lakh, undercutting the Nexon's ₹7.4 lakh base by ₹1.59 lakh. But the Nexon plays a size up, with a bigger cabin, a 5-star crash rating and that unique turbo-CNG option none of them match.
Should you wait for 2027 or buy the current Nexon now?
Here's the practical call. The 2027 Nexon has no confirmed date and no confirmed specs, so it could be well over a year away. Meanwhile, today's Nexon is a known quantity: ₹7.4–14.4 lakh, 5-star safety, Level-2 ADAS and India's only turbo-CNG SUV. If you need a car now and want a diesel, buy the current one, because the next-gen may not offer diesel at all. If you can wait and want the freshest design, screens and a new EV option, hold for 2027. My pick from the current range is the Creative petrol at ₹10 lakh, the sweet spot for features without stretching to the top trim.
References: Tata India — official website
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