Nissan has launched the much-awaited Tekton in India at ₹10.49 Lakh (ex-showroom). While this is the price for the base variant, the top-spec variant is priced at ₹18.59 lakh (ex-showroom). For those unaware, the Tekton is a rebadged version of the Renault Duster that was launched earlier this year. However, the Tekton is quite different from its French counterpart.
The new Tekton is essentially a spiritual successor to the Terrano and Kicks. Nissan says the new Terrano’s design is based on the Patrol, Nissan’s global flagship SUV. The Tekton’s fascia is quite similar, with a chunky grille, a full-width LED light bar, Tekton lettering on the bonnet, a large Nissan logo, and a red accent in the middle of the grille.
While the overall silhouette of the Tekton is quite similar to the Duster, there are subtle differences between the two, too. The Tekton has more premium-looking multi-spoke, dual-tone alloy wheels for the top-spec variant. At the back, the Tekton also gets connected LED taillamps, but with a slightly different shape.
Inside, the Tekton definitely feels more premium than the Duster, with more soft-touch materials on the dash and on the seats. However, the equipment list isn’t very different, as it also comes with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, with built-in Google (with Gemini capabilities that’ll be available soon) as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, connected car tech, ADAS level 2 and more. Furthermore, there are four interior themes one can choose from.
Powering the Tekton is the same 98 bhp, 16.9 kgm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 161 bhp, 28.5 kgm, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. While both engines get a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 1.3-litre also comes with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic unit. At the moment, there’s no information on whether Nissan is planning to bring the strong-hybrid powertrain that’s due in the Duster later this year.
Like the Duster, the Tekton also rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, Honda Elevate, Citroen Aircross, Tata Sierra, and of course also the Renault Duster.
