Automobile consumers at present are fairly spoilt for selection. Past a large number of manufacturers, physique types and variants, there at the moment are extra gasoline choices than ever earlier than. Petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid, electrical, and shortly even ethanol-powered automobiles are all vying for consideration, making the choice more and more sophisticated. So, which powertrain makes probably the most sense for you?
To reply that query, we turned to probably the most versatile fashions on sale in India – the Tata Nexon. Few automobiles supply such a broad vary of powertrain selections, and with design, house, practicality, security and options remaining largely constant throughout the vary, the Nexon supplies the right platform to isolate the one key variable – the gasoline itself. So, we obtained collectively the turbo-petrol, CNG, diesel, in addition to the EV to search out out every gasoline’s professionals and cons, and thus, which might finest suit your wants.
Disclaimer: Gas costs fluctuate from state to state.
Tata Nexon turbo-petrol: Fuss free
Tata’s 1.2-litre, three-cylinder ‘Revotron’ turbo-petrol engine debuted with the Nexon in 2017 and acquired an influence bump in 2020, taking outputs to 120hp and 170Nm. In the present day, it’s supplied with an unusually big selection of transmission selections – a 5-speed handbook, 6-speed handbook, 6-speed AMT and a 7-speed dual-clutch automated.
Costs begin at Rs 7.40 lakh and lengthen as much as Rs 13.90 lakh, ex-showroom (excluding dual-tone, Darkish and Pink Darkish editions). Its broad variant unfold and engaging pricing are key the reason why the turbo-petrol accounts for 42 p.c of all Nexon gross sales.
The engine affords first rate driveability and advantages from selectable Eco, Metropolis and Sport drive modes. However outright efficiency, refinement and smoothness aren’t class-leading and never what you get from different turbo-petrols.
Throughout the vary, the 7-speed DCA stands out as probably the most fascinating choice. Regardless of accounting for lower than 4 p.c of complete Nexon gross sales, it’s arguably the nicest ICE-powered Nexon on sale. The wet-clutch dual-clutch transmission prioritises smoothness over sportiness and fits the engine’s character properly. Whereas downshifts can sometimes really feel a contact hesitant, the general expertise is noticeably extra polished than the handbook and AMT alternate options. Notably, the top-spec Turbo DCA is the best-equipped ICE model and can also be the one model to supply ADAS.
Gas effectivity, nonetheless, stays this powertrain’s weakest space. In our exams, the turbo-petrol DCA returned 7.7kpl within the metropolis and 13.9kpl on the freeway, translating to a median operating value of Rs 9.46 per kilometre – the best amongst all Nexon powertrains.
To place that into perspective, although a completely loaded Fearless + A PS DCA is Rs 2.65 lakh extra reasonably priced than a top-spec Empowered + A forty five EV, the EV’s considerably decrease operating prices (of Rs 1.03 per km utilizing dwelling charging) enable house owners to get well that preliminary worth distinction in roughly 32,000km.
Tata Nexon diesel: Freeway star
The diesel vary begins at Rs 9.15 lakh and extends as much as Rs 14.40 lakh for the top-spec AMT. Curiously, whereas the diesel as soon as outsold the petrol model within the Nexon’s early years, purchaser preferences shifted following the BS6 transition, inflicting diesel gross sales to regularly decline to 13 p.c. Regardless of this, Tata has persevered with the gasoline, and at present stays one of many few carmakers nonetheless providing diesel engines in its portfolio.
As an alternative of adopting a traditional SCR setup with a urea tank, AdBlue injection system and extra digital controls, Tata developed a Lean NOx Lure system for the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Regardless of this comparatively low-cost passive emissions-control system, the value premium over an equal turbo-petrol variant stays round Rs 1 lakh – broadly in step with what rivals cost. The one tangible profit for consumers is that, in contrast to many opponents, there isn’t a urea tank requiring periodic top-ups, leading to marginal financial savings over time and a bit much less trouble.
Just like the turbo-petrol, refinement isn’t this diesel’s strongest go well with. And although turbo lag is extra perceptible than within the petrol iteration, efficiency flows in a fairly sturdy method, making it well-suited for freeway drives. Its tall gasoline effectivity additionally makes it ideally suited for individuals who cowl lengthy distances regularly. In our exams, the diesel-manual delivered a powerful common of 17.95kpl, leading to a operating value of simply Rs 5.30 per kilometre – considerably decrease than the turbo-petrol.
Tata Nexon EV: Clean operator
As India’s first extensively accessible electrical SUV from a home producer, the Nexon EV performed a pivotal function in democratising EV possession. Combining brisk efficiency, usable real-world vary and a comparatively accessible worth level, it opened up the Tata model to a wholly new set of consumers. For a very long time, it was India’s bestselling EV. Throughout the Nexon vary, it accounts for 14 p.c of complete gross sales.
In the present day, the Nexon EV vary spans Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.49 lakh, with consumers ready to decide on between two battery packs – 30kWh and 45kWh. The road-up itself is comparatively easy, with three trims accessible for every battery choice.
In the true world, the 30kWh model can ship a bit over 200km on a cost, whereas the bigger 45kWh battery can comfortably handle round 350km. For consumers in search of the smoothest and most refined driving expertise, nothing fairly matches the seamlessness of an EV. Acceleration feels brisk, and its zippy but seamless efficiency makes for a hushed, pleasant drive expertise.
The 2 battery variations differ in additional methods than simply capability. The 45kWh model makes use of Tata’s newer Gen 2 motor, which is lighter, extra compact and extra environment friendly than the Gen 1 unit used within the 30kWh variant. The long-range model’s extra fashionable structure additionally allows considerably sooner DC charging. To place it into perspective, the 30kWh model takes about an hour to cost from 20-80 p.c utilizing a DC quick charger, whereas the 45kWh variant achieves the identical in simply 29 minutes. Not solely does the bigger battery supply larger vary, however it’s also faster to recharge regardless of its greater capability, making it the extra appropriate selection for longer freeway journeys.
Curiously, the EV additionally enjoys a function benefit over the best-equipped turbo-petrol DCA, gaining a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen, rear disc brakes, and an digital parking brake with auto-hold performance.
Coming to the 45kWh model’s operating value, utilizing a house charger (at a median value of Rs 8 per unit of electrical energy), consumers can take pleasure in driving round at simply Rs 1.03 per km. Even when customers go for public DC fast-charging, the charges of which vary between Rs 24 and Rs 28 per unit, nonetheless, common operating prices work out to merely Rs 3.34 per km, which is nearly a 3rd of the petrol-automatic’s quantity and about sixty p.c of a diesel-manual’s value per km.
Tata Nexon CNG: Jack of all trades
There’s rather a lot Tata has obtained proper with the Nexon CNG. For starters, costs vary from Rs 8.35 lakh to Rs 13.60 lakh, positioning it neatly between the petrol and diesel alternate options.
Beneath the bonnet is identical 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine discovered within the petrol Nexon. Not solely is it India’s first turbo-petrol CNG SUV, however it’s also probably the most highly effective, producing 100hp and 170Nm when operating on CNG. Impressively, peak torque stays an identical to the petrol model, though it’s accessible throughout a narrower band. In consequence, driveability feels remarkably just like the turbo-petrol, and customers are unlikely to search out themselves wanting for efficiency, whether or not in city circumstances or on the freeway.
Being a turbocharged CNG engine, effectivity in metropolis driving can take successful. In our real-world metropolis check involving frequent stop-start site visitors, the Nexon CNG returned 15.1km/kg. Out on the freeway, nonetheless, flowing site visitors and the presence of a sixth gear helped it obtain near 24km/kg. The tip result’s a median operating value of simply Rs 4.28 per kilometre, making it probably the most economical choice within the ICE line-up.
With driveability that’s remarkably near the turbo-petrol, decrease buy and operating prices than the diesel, and only a few compromises in practicality or gear, the Nexon CNG presents maybe the strongest all-round case within the vary. Its solely notable downside is the restricted CNG infrastructure. Whereas station availability continues to enhance, rising CNG adoption usually results in longer queues and wait occasions at many retailers.
In contrast to many CNG automobiles, the Nexon CNG doesn’t really feel like a stripped-down, budget-focused different. It stays spacious, sensible and generously geared up whereas delivering the bottom operating prices of any ICE Nexon. Small omissions, similar to cruise management, connected-car know-how and JBL-branded audio system, are unlikely to be deal-breakers for many consumers.
Seen by the lens of worth, usability and value of possession, the Nexon CNG strikes maybe probably the most convincing stability of the lot. Which maybe explains why, regardless of being supplied with only one engine and a handbook gearbox, it now contributes greater than a 3rd of all Nexon gross sales.
Tata Nexon petrol vs diesel vs CNG vs EV: Verdict
The turbo-petrol’s lowest beginning worth, in addition to the widest selection for consumers, is the rationale behind its recognition. Our choose of the vary, nonetheless, is the priciest 7-speed DCA, which delivers the smoothest and most polished Nexon ICE driving expertise. That mentioned, efficiency and effectivity aren’t precisely class-best.
The diesel’s spectacular gasoline effectivity and thus low operating prices make it a great selection for individuals who rack up excessive annual mileages. Efficiency is the strongest amongst all ICE variations, and its torquey nature makes it a superb freeway companion, excellent for individuals who recurrently cowl lengthy distances.
For consumers with dependable dwelling charging, a predominantly city utilization sample and excessive annual operating, the EV is the one to choose. The 45kWh mannequin has a genuinely usable real-world vary and can also be probably the most superior model with a wealthy function checklist, making it a really well-rounded choice.
The Nexon CNG retains the petrol’s drivability, affords low operating prices, an extended vary, and consumers aren’t pressured to compromise options or practicality both. It thus strikes a convincing stability between worth, efficiency and real-world usability, rising because the candy spot of the line-up.