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Expert Review on Tata Nexon EV

  • Expert Rating
    c&b icon8.5/10
  • Safety
    8.75
    Comfort
    7.75
    Styling
    8.5
    Merit / USP
    8.5
    Significance
    9
    Value for Money
    8

car&bike Expert Take

“The Tata Nexon EV is a sensible choice as a practical, well-sorted electric SUV. With a premium-feeling cabin, a punchy electric motor, and the new 45 kWh battery pack, it ticks off most boxes for everyday usability. Despite some niggles, the overall package has genuine value and a fuss-free ownership experience.”

Tata Motors has been India's go-to brand if we talk about affordable electric vehicles, and its most popular model continues to be the Nexon EV. Since it arrived in 2019, the sub-four-metre SUV has seen continuous upgrades to stay fresh and competitive. The latest iteration has further brought improved battery options, connected car features, and a futuristic design.

Currently, the electric SUV offers two battery options: a 30 kWh mid-range and the new 45 kWh pack, while the 40.5 kWh long-range has been discontinued. The top-spec 45 kWh model, borrowing its battery from the Curvv EV, extends the claimed driving range to 489 km, ensuring that long-distance journeys are no longer stressful. Such a level of abundance from Tata means buyers can finally choose their own sweet spot between running costs and highway capabilities for this car.

Car&bike’s Seshan Vijayraghvan mentioned a few reasons why you should buy this SUV or not, while Girish Karkera dived deep into the Empowered+ version’s performance and reliability over long-term ownership. We have added their insights into this piece as well to help you make a sound decision about Tata’s offering.

The Nexon EV has both brisk and tractable capabilities, making it a joy to drive in city traffic. Power delivery is remarkably linear, with the electric motor pulling cleanly from the absolute bottom end. Across the range, peak torque climbs to 215 Nm, giving you effortless performance off the blocks. However, this peak power also depends on the chosen battery pack.
Seshan notes,
"The electric motor gets a slight bump in output. It makes 5 bhp more than the standard model. Total output now sits just under 150 horsepower, and in our tests, this minor increase does not dramatically change the driving experience."
This minor bump is definitely not a bad thing, as the new-generation motor feels more highly refined on the move than before. With its quick and entirely fuss-free acceleration, it now decently manages zero to 100 kmph in 8.9 seconds.

Engine Specifications

SpecificationMid-Range (30 kWh)Long-Range (45 kWh) 
Motor TypePermanent Magnet SynchronousPermanent Magnet Synchronous
Max Power127 bhp148 bhp
Max Torque215 Nm215 Nm
TransmissionSingle-Speed AutomaticSingle-Speed Automatic
DrivetrainFront-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive

Driving Experience: Real World

Users have often said it's quite relaxing to drive the Tata Nexon EV, and it mostly has a sweet spot in the speedometer that you should aim to maximise performance and fuel efficiency. In our review, we found those claims to be true.

City Driving

In stop-start traffic, the Nexon EV feels perfectly sorted. The sub-four-metre footprint makes it incredibly nimble, while the high torque means you get to exploit gaps in traffic like it's a point-and-shoot affair. The regenerative braking has three levels controlled via paddle shifters, which isn't lurchy by any means and gives off a more progressive feel. While it does not have a true one-pedal driving experience, it remains highly manageable around town.
Girish observes,
“With a diesel-like 215 Nm of torque available from standstill, getting off the blocks and overtaking is easy.”

Highway Driving

Out on the open road, the Nexon EV stays exceptionally well-planted and long-legged. Its sweet cruising spot lies between 80 kmph and 100 kmph, and we noticed a minor lapse here; pushing the car continuously above this speed will noticeably hamper the available range. The power also starts to run out of breath at the very top end, but rest assured, the mid-range grunt is enough for highway overtaking.

The Nexon EV carries an upmarket and modern design that successfully tidies up the older elements of the original car. It sits with a tall, confident stance, riding on 16-inch wheels that fill the arches nicely. Interestingly, the 45 kWh version looks completely identical to the standard Long Range model. You will not find a single badge marking its true identity; the only visual clue is the thicker battery pack sticking out slightly under the belly.

Dimensions Comparison

DimensionTata Nexon EVMahindra XUV400MG Windsor EV
Length3,995 mm4,200 mm4,295 mm
Width1,802 mm1,821 mm1,850 mm
Height1,625 mm1,634 mm1,677 mm
Wheelbase2,498 mm2,600 mm2,700 mm

On sheer dimensions, the Nexon EV is the smallest of them all and also the most nimble.

The Tata Nexon EV avoids looking gimmicky from the outside, but it still manages to pull off a robust road presence.

Front Profile

  • The front profile is clean and does not have a grille like most SUVs do.
  • A sleek LED light bar runs across the bonnet, giving the vehicle a unique-looking face.
  • The new frunk found under the bonnet comes in handy for storing charging cables.

Side Profile

  • The 16-inch alloy wheels have an aerodynamic design that helps improve overall efficiency.
  • There is thick plastic cladding along the bottom edge, reinforcing its rugged, go-anywhere appeal.
  • Its sub-four-metre length is also immediately apparent, yet it still manages to stay substantial.

Rear Profile

  • Connected LED tail lamps are available, providing a wide and modern signature.
  • The bumper sits higher than most rivals, and because of that, you get 205 mm ground clearance.
  • The wiper is neatly tucked underneath the rear spoiler, keeping the rear glass tidy.

Pros

  • Punchy, fuss-free electric acceleration
  • Supple ride quality irons out bad roads
  • Top-spec variants are highly feature-rich
  • The 45 kWh battery cures range anxiety
  • Progressive regenerative braking levels

Cons

  • The touch-sensitive HVAC panel is fiddly
  • Minor interior squeaks and rattles
  • Electronics can occasionally throw glitches
  • Top-end variants carry a hefty price tag
  • Lacks front centre console cupholders

Verdict

The Tata Nexon EV remains the standard benchmark for mass-market electric vehicles in India. It successfully bridges the gap between an affordable daily runabout and a premium family car, and the recent addition of the 45 kWh battery pack has also fixed the biggest hurdle of EV ownership for this car: range anxiety. That extra battery capacity delivers true peace of mind, stretching the real-world range well past the 300 km mark.

It also handles most of the rough stuff brilliantly. The suspension cushions you from harsh impacts, while the electric motor has that satisfying shove of torque you will need to overtake occasionally. Yes, the cabin plastics in certain areas could be better, and the infotainment software suffers from occasional niggles. But as a complete package, it ticks off nearly all boxes, and if you want a zero-emission daily driver that is genuinely easy to live with, the Nexon EV is exceptionally tough to beat.


Seshan concludes, 
 

“Is the Nexon EV 45 a smart upgrade? Absolutely. The slight premium you pay for the long-range version feels entirely justified. You get a larger battery, slightly more grunt, and a highly usable 70 km of extra driving range. That extra distance makes the car incredibly easy to live with.”

Tata Nexon EV Price List (Variant Wise)

Tata Nexon EV Ex-Showroom price ranges from ₹ 12.49 to 17.49 Lakh. Tata offers Nexon EV in 14 variants. The top variant of Nexon EV is Empowered Plus A 45 Red Dark Edition and the base variant is Creative Plus Medium Range.

Variants
*Ex-Showroom Price
Electric, 275 Km/Full Charge, Automatic
Starts at
₹ 12.49 Lakh
Electric, 275 Km/Full Charge, Automatic
Starts at
₹ 13.29 Lakh
Electric, 275 Km/Full Charge, Automatic
Starts at
₹ 13.79 Lakh
Electric, 489 Km/Full Charge, Automatic
Starts at
₹ 13.99 Lakh

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