Nissan has launched the Tekton mid-size SUV in India with an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh. It is Nissan’s version of the Renault Duster that is already on sale here. Six trims are on offer- Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna, and Tekna+. The top-spec variant comes loaded with features and technologies. Even the base-spec Visia 160MT comes well-kitted. Here is a more detailed look at the Tekton’s base variant.
The Visia 160MT is the entry-spec variant. It is for people who want to buy a mid-size SUV for the price of a sub-compact SUV (sub-four metre SUV). The Tekton offers a good mix of size, features, strong engines and safety technologies. The Visia trim keeps the essence of the SUV safe and offers it at a lower price point that is accessible to most people.
It gives the same body, same proportions, same road presence, same cabin room (although with a slightly shorter feature list) at a lower price point. Of course, there are higher trims available for people who seek more equipment. That doesn’t, however, mean that the Visa 160MT absolutely lacks features or falls too short on that front. It comes with a decent array of equipment.
Even though the Visia is Tekton’s entry-level variant, the exterior design doesn’t look cheap. It looks mostly like the top-spec Tekton from the outside. It gets LED headlamps and DRLs. A bold Tekton badge can be seen on the hood. The ORVMs and door handles have been finished in body colour. It rides on 17-inch steel wheels. Steel wheels may sound basic, but their size suit most everyday runs. Higher trims, however, get 18-inch alloy wheels.
The cabin has a similar design and layout as the higher trims. It offers the same amount of room and comfort. The difference lies in the feature list. The biggest miss is the touchscreen infotainment system.
Higher variants come with a 10.1-inch freestanding touchscreen infotainment system. The Visia lacks this altogether and get just a four-speaker Arkamys sound system. This is paired with the digital instrument cluster. Basic audio functions can be carried out through this screen. On the range-topping trim, the instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch unit.
Other features on the base variant include power windows, powered mirror adjustments, air conditioning system with rear AC vents, and driver seat height adjustment. This variant keeps the focus on usability and space, than outright luxury.
The Tekton is the badge-engineered version of the third-generation Duster. This means that it is based on the same RGMP platform as the Renault SUV. Two engine options are available on the Tekton- 1.0L turbocharged petrol and 1.3L turbo-petrol. The latter is available with both manual and automatic transmissions.
The Visia variant, however, comes only with the a single engine option- 1.0L turbocharged petrol mated to a six-speed manual transmission. For now, there is no automatic gearbox on offer with this engine. This engine, again, generates 100hp and 166Nm. The claimed fuel efficiency in this case is 19.5kpl, quite reasonable for a car of this class.
The Visia comes with a strong safety package. Nissan has not cut corners on this front. Even the base variant comes with six airbags, ABS, EBD, electronic stability program (ESP), and more. The vehicle has scored a five-star safety rating in crash tests conducted by Bharat NCAP. Safety-conscious buyers will surely find this variant worth going for.
The second trim, Visia+, is priced in close proximity. It has an ex-showroom price of Rs 11.14 lakh- Rs 65000 more than the base trim. If you choose the Visia Plus, you will get features like a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, steering-mounted audio controls and a rear-view camera. Many buyers will find the jump to Visia+ worth going for, as these features can be quite useful in daily usage.
Nissan has priced the Tekton cleverly. It starts at Rs 10.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.59 lakh. Both ex-showroom. These give it competitive positioning in the market. High localisation has helped Nissan achieve this. This is expected to increase in the coming months. This will lead to further price optimisation.
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