Nissan Tekton Expert Review

The Tekton is built on the same manufacturing plant and on the same assembly line as the Renault Duster, sharing its platform, powertrains, and much of its engineering. Though few of the parts, like the headlight, front grill, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a few exterior elements, give the Tekton a different bold identity. The vehicle dynamics are well suited to rough terrain. While details like the pillar-mounted rear door handles pay homage to classic Nissan SUVs, such as the Pathfinder and X-Terra. At the rear, the design of the LED tail lamp bears the strongest resemblance to the Nissan Patrol.

Inside the cabin, Nissan has done a commendable job of differentiating the cabin from the Duster. The leatherette-padded dashboard looks classic, along with the highlighting color scheme, which makes the cabin more premium. The visibility from the driver's seat is excellent, providing the driver with a commanding driving position. However, a taller driver may find the A-pillar slightly obstructing road visibility.
The air conditioning in the Nissan Tekton is something Nissan should work on, although the front ventilated seats are really good. Talking about the instrument panel, the Tekton’s instrument cluster is more conventional and easy to use. The feedback from the center stack assembly is highly appreciated and is an attribute that an SUV should have. The other interior features the Tekton features are a wireless charging pad, electrically adjustable front seats, a large central armrest console, rear AC vents, and two USB Type-C charging ports. What Nissan could have provided is boss mode for the electrically operated seat and rear sunblind within the package, but Nissan sells sunshades for both front and rear as an accessory.

The Tekton is well equipped with comfort, infotainment, and safety features. Features include a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, and a Google-integrated 10.1-inch touchscreen with Gemini voice assistant.
The safety features include an ADAS suite, and the Tekton has secured a 5-star BNCAP rating. The ADAS includes adaptive cruise control.

Nissan offers 3 powertrain choices for the Nissan Tekton.
The turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder MPFI engine, which is only paired to a 6-speed manual transmission, produces 100 hp and 166 Nm of torque. This engine feels adequate around town but suffers from turbo lag.
The 1.3-litre 4-cylinder direct injection engine is paired with two different transmissions. The 1.3 unit has a choice of both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed wet clutch DCT. This 1.3-litre engine's response is much better than the MPFi unit.

The claimed Nissan Tekton mileage is 19.4 kmpl for the 1.0 MPFi unit, 17.8 kmpl for the 1.3 GDI manual and 18.5 kmpl for the 1.3 GDI DCT. The auto engine stop-start function contributes to achieving this fuel efficiency.

The Tekton performs its intended role exceptionally well. Potholes and bad roads don't disturb the occupants much. The handling is good and inspires confidence, thanks to the electronic steering unit; though the lighter setting strikes the better balance between ease and precision, the braking performance is good as well, and as a package, the Nissan Tekton is a enjoyable car to drive.

Nissan offers the Tekton from Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.59 lakh with 12 variants, with a choice of two different engines and three different powertrains.
The drawback of the Tekton is a lack of engine power punch and responsiveness, and the overall fuel efficiency might not satisfy every user. Neither the Duster nor the Tekton offers a diesel engine, but the Duster is expected to receive a hybrid powertrain, and Nissan has ruled that out for the Tekton.
The Tekton as a package is impressive; the exterior elements give it a rugged stance, well equipped with features, the cabin feels premium, and the rear seat may not be the most spacious in the segment but is comfortable to accommodate four adults and a big 518-litre trunk. The Tekton’s ride and handling are the best in the segment, which makes it a great, enjoyable car within the mid-sized SUV.