Nissan is making a major push to strengthen its presence in India’s highly competitive SUV market. The company’s latest midsize SUV, initially discussed in reports as the next-generation Nissan Kicks, has now officially arrived in India as the Nissan Tekton. Built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-B platform and developed specifically with India’s market in mind, the new SUV brings a completely different design and technology package compared with the previous-generation Kicks.
The Tekton is positioned against popular midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Honda Elevate. Nissan has also focused heavily on turbo-petrol performance, premium cabin technology and advanced safety features as part of its comeback strategy.
New CMF-B Platform and SUV Dimensions
The new Nissan SUV is based on the CMF-B modular architecture, the same broad platform family used by several Renault-Nissan Alliance products. Nissan has been localising the platform for India as part of its new product strategy, allowing the company to develop SUVs specifically for the Indian market while retaining global technology.
The SUV has a strong, upright stance with a relatively long wheelbase designed to provide a spacious cabin. The dimensions highlighted for the vehicle include a length of around 4,365 mm, width of 1,800 mm, height of 1,630 mm and a 2,657 mm wheelbase.
A claimed ground clearance of around 215 mm also gives the SUV a more rugged character and should help it deal with broken roads and uneven surfaces.
Mini Patrol-Inspired Exterior Design
One of the biggest changes is the exterior design. Nissan has taken inspiration from its flagship Patrol SUV, giving the new model a much more upright and muscular appearance than the old Kicks.
The front features a large, dark grille with a strong horizontal treatment and an illuminated Nissan logo. Slim LED daytime running lights sit above the main lighting elements, creating a split-lighting appearance.
The lower section gets a rugged-looking bumper and skid-plate-style treatment, while heavy body cladding adds to the SUV’s stance.
From the side, squared-off wheel arches and large alloy wheels give the SUV a more substantial appearance. The model highlighted in the specifications features 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, blacked-out pillars and a floating-roof effect.
At the rear, Nissan has adopted a modern connected lighting design with a full-width LED light bar. A roof spoiler and muscular tailgate further strengthen the SUV’s road presence.
Premium Cabin With Dual-Screen Setup
Inside, the new Nissan SUV takes a major step forward in terms of technology. The dashboard features a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display.
The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the digital driver’s display can provide navigation information and other vehicle data.
The cabin also focuses heavily on comfort. Expected equipment includes ventilated and heated front seats, an 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions, dual-zone automatic climate control and a PM2.5 air purification system.
Other premium touches include 64-colour ambient lighting, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold and a cooled wireless smartphone charging pad.
Bose Audio System and 480-Litre Boot
Nissan has also paid attention to the audio experience. The SUV is equipped with a Bose 8-speaker audio system, with some speakers integrated into the front headrests.
Storage practicality is another important part of the package, with the SUV offering around 480 litres of boot space according to the specifications highlighted for the model.
This combination of technology, comfort and practicality is intended to make the new Nissan a more premium alternative in the midsize SUV segment.
Turbo-Petrol Engine Options
The powertrain lineup is expected to be one of the major highlights of Nissan’s new SUV strategy.
The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol producing around 100 PS and 160 Nm. A more powerful 1.3-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine is also associated with the model, producing around 156 PS and 250 Nm.
Nissan has historically used the 1.3-litre HR13 turbo-petrol engine in India, and the powertrain has also been used in Renault-Nissan products internationally.
The more powerful engine is paired with a 6-speed manual and a dual-clutch automatic in the India lineup. Nissan’s official Tekton launch information confirms the availability of turbocharged engines and a 6-speed wet-clutch DCT on the T280 version.
Advanced Safety Features and ADAS
Safety is another area where Nissan has attempted to make the new SUV competitive with newer rivals.
The expected safety package includes six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, TPMS and a 360-degree camera.
The SUV also offers a wide range of driver-assistance technologies. Depending on the variant, these can include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assistance and blind-spot monitoring.
Nissan’s official Tekton material highlights a safety package with more than 40 safety features and six airbags.
The model is designed to compete in a segment where safety ratings and ADAS technology are becoming increasingly important, although any specific future Bharat NCAP rating should not be treated as confirmed until an official test result is published.
Nissan Tekton Price in India
The SUV’s pricing has now moved beyond the earlier estimated range. Nissan officially launched the Tekton at an introductory price starting from ₹10.49 lakh, while the higher-powered T280 variants start at ₹14.99 lakh.
This places the new Nissan in the heart of India’s midsize SUV market, where it faces established competitors such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda Elevate and Skoda Kushaq.
Nissan’s Big Comeback in India
The new SUV is an important part of Nissan India’s renewed product strategy. The company has already introduced the Gravite MPV and subsequently launched the Tekton as part of its broader product offensive. Nissan says the new products are being manufactured in India and are also intended for export markets.
For buyers, the new SUV brings together a bold Patrol-inspired exterior, turbo-petrol engines, a technology-rich cabin, advanced safety equipment and a relatively aggressive starting price.
The model originally discussed as the next-generation Nissan Kicks has therefore evolved into the India-spec Nissan Tekton, giving Nissan a fresh entry in one of India’s most competitive SUV segments.