The Nissan Tekton has finally arrived as the Japanese carmaker's contender for the hotly contested midsize SUV space. It's based on the same platform as that of the new Renault Duster, so both SUVs are very similar on the mechanical front. Let's have a look at how the Tekton stacks up on paper against its Renault-badged platform sibling, as well as midsize SUV rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Maruti Victoris, Honda Elevate, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and more.
Nissan Tekton vs rivals: Dimensions
Duster offers the best boot space in the midsize SUV class
Dimensionally, the Tekton is identical to the Duster in terms of height, wheelbase, ground clearance, wheel size, though the Nissan SUV is 6mm longer overall and 2mm wider on account of styling differences. The Tekton is also longer than the Sierra, Creta, Grand Vitara, Kushaq, Taigun, Elevate, Astor, and Aircross, but falls short of the Seltos by 111mm, the Hyryder by 16mm, and the Victoris by 11mm.
On the wheelbase front, though, the Sierra comes out on top, followed by the Seltos, Aircross, and then the Tekton and Duster. The Tekton claws back some points in the ground clearance department, with its 212mm figure ranking the second-highest among its rivals, beaten only by the Elevate. The Tekton and Duster also have the largest boot capacities in the midsize SUV segment. Lastly, the Tekton's wheel sizes are competitive by class standards, with the Sierra being the only one to offer 19-inch wheels.
Nissan Tekton vs rivals: Engine and gearbox options
Tekton shares its turbo-petrol engines with the Duster; won't get strong hybrid option
P = Naturally-aspirated petrol; T = Turbo-petrol; H = Strong hybrid; D = Diesel; C = CNG
*Renault Duster hybrid to be launched by Diwali 2026.
^DHT = Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
Expectedly, the Tekton comes with the same 100hp 1.0-litre MPFI and 163hp 1.3-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engines available with the Duster. The latter engine is the most powerful in its segment, despite being down on displacement compared to the 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol mills offered for the Creta, Sierra, Seltos, Kushaq, and Taigun.
However, the Tekton's smaller 3-cylinder turbo-petrol motor is up to 15hp weaker compared to those of the Taigun, Kushaq, and Aircross. There's no CNG, or naturally aspirated petrol engine option available with the Tekton, either, putting it out of direct contention with the likes of the Grand Vitara, Victoris, Elevate, Astor, and Hyryder, nor does the Nissan SUV offer a diesel engine, which many midsize SUV buyers prefer.
Moreover, despite the shared platform, the Tekton will miss out on the 1.8-litre strong hybrid powertrain that will debut on the Duster later this year. Renault will keep the hybrid option exclusive to the Duster as the French carmaker spearheaded the development of the platform and wants to position the SUV higher up the value chain.
In terms of gearbox options, the Tekton is identical to the Duster. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is paired solely with a 6-speed manual, whereas the 1.3-litre mill additionally offers a 6-speed wet-clutch DCT. Compared to the dry-clutch DCTs offered by the Creta, Seltos, Taigun, and Kushaq, the Tekton's wet-clutch unit should be smoother at slow speeds.
The Tekton is a front-wheel drive model only, which is par for the course for this segment. Only the Victoris and Grand Vitara offer all-wheel drive, that too with their 1.5 petrol AT powertrains.
Nissan Tekton vs rivals: Price
Tekton offers one of the cheapest turbo-petrol engine options in the segment
When it comes to starting price, the Tekton matches the Duster and is one of the most affordable midsize SUVs at the base level, beaten only by the Astor and Aircross. The Victoris comes next with a near-negligible Rs 1,000 premium over the Tekton, followed by the Kushaq, Grand Vitara, Creta, Seltos, Taigun, Hyryder, Sierra, and Elevate, in that order.
The Tekton does cost Rs 10,000 more than the Duster when comparing top-spec variants, but even so, it's substantially easier on the pocket than the likes of the Seltos, Creta, Sierra, Hyryder, Victoris, and Grand Vitara. The Aircross remains the most affordable midsize SUV by a long shot.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
Rivan RS 
