After nearly a decade on Indian roads, the Tata Nexon is finally getting a proper second act. Fresh spy shots published this week show the next-generation compact SUV testing on public roads, heavily camouflaged but already revealing a boxier, more upright shape that moves away from the coupe-like stance of the current car. The new model, reported to be developed under the internal codename Garud, is expected to make its debut sometime in 2027.
That timing matters. The Nexon first went on sale in 2017 and has been updated twice since, with comprehensive facelifts in 2020 and 2023, but its proportions and underlying architecture have stayed largely untouched. A full generation change in 2027 would mark roughly ten years since the original arrived, and it comes at a moment when the compact SUV segment is more crowded than ever.
What the spy shots reveal
The test mule spotted this week is still an early prototype, wearing heavy camouflage and several temporary body panels, so the final design is far from settled. Even so, a few details stand out clearly in the photographs published by Autocar India on November 14.
The most obvious change is at the back. The new Nexon appears to have a much more sharply raked rear windscreen, with a wiper mounted at the top that will likely be tucked away under a spoiler on the production car. Earlier sightings reported by RushLane on November 13 showed a flatter roofline and a more upright C-pillar, a shift that should free up rear headroom, something the current car’s sloping roof has always compromised.
Up front, the split headlamp layout continues, with the main lamp unit sitting low on the bumper, but the fascia gets a completely revised bumper, grille and lighting elements. A radar module spotted on the bumper suggests driver assistance features will carry over, and the prototype rides on new alloy wheels that look like larger 17-inch units. The spy shots also reveal a disc brake setup at the rear, where the current Nexon still uses drum brakes.
In profile, the glasshouse looks broadly similar to the existing model, and given the sub-four-metre tax bracket, overall dimensions are expected to stay close to the current car.
A new cabin with twin screens
Interior spy shots published alongside the exterior images point to the biggest change inside. The next-gen Nexon appears to get twin free-standing screens, a digital instrument cluster beside a large touchscreen, although their exact sizes are not confirmed yet.
The twin-spoke steering wheel that has become a Tata signature is expected to continue, but the dashboard itself will be completely redesigned with a new theme. Tata has built a reputation for generous equipment lists on the Nexon, and the new model is expected to keep that up, with connected car tech and the usual safety kit high on the list.
New platform, familiar engines
Under the skin, the new Nexon is expected to move to a heavily updated platform. Autocar India reports it could be a reworked version of the current X1 architecture, in line with the ATLAS platform that underpins the Curvv coupe-SUV, while RushLane’s report points directly to ATLAS. Tata has not confirmed either claim, and the platform question will only be settled closer to the reveal.
On powertrains, the picture is clearer but not final. The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which makes 118 bhp and 170 Nm in the current car, is expected to continue, along with CNG. The future of the 1.5-litre diesel, which makes 113 bhp and 260 Nm, is less certain. Diesel’s share in the compact class keeps shrinking, and upgrading the engine to meet upcoming emissions norms would be an expensive exercise. The Nexon EV is also expected to get an update in line with the combustion models, though Tata may not launch the electric and petrol versions at the same time.
Why this launch matters
The Nexon remains one of Tata Motors’ most important nameplates, and the compact SUV space it plays in is brutally competitive. On launch, the new model will continue to rival the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and the Skoda Kylaq, all of which have been refreshed or launched in recent years. A genuinely new Nexon, rather than another facelift, is what Tata needs to hold its ground.
For buyers, the message is simple: if you were planning to buy a Nexon in the coming months, it may be worth waiting to see what the 2027 model brings, especially on cabin space, rear brakes and the new screens. Nothing is official yet, though. Tata has confirmed no date, no price and no specifications, and with the car still in early testing, expect more spy shots and more leaks before the covers come off next year.
FAQs
When will the next-gen Tata Nexon launch?
Reports point to a debut sometime in 2027. Tata Motors has not announced an official date yet.
What is the codename of the new Nexon?
The next-generation Nexon is internally codenamed Garud, according to multiple reports.
What will change in the new Nexon?
Expect a boxier design with a flatter roofline, twin free-standing screens inside, larger 17-inch wheels, rear disc brakes and a heavily updated platform. Petrol and CNG powertrains are likely to continue.
Will there be a new Nexon EV too?
An updated Nexon EV is expected alongside the combustion models, though the two may not launch at the same time.
How much will the new Nexon cost?
No pricing has been announced. The current Nexon starts at around Rs 8 lakh, and the new model is expected to be priced in a similar band when it arrives.
The Nexon has carried Tata’s compact SUV hopes for nine years. The Garud test mules now on the road suggest the next chapter is finally taking shape.
