Nissan Tekton Spotted Testing
Nissan’s upcoming midsize SUV, the Tekton, has been spotted testing once again, this time around Bengaluru. The test mule was fully camouflaged, and the sighting comes right after the brand quietly postponed its planned reveal.
The Tekton was expected to break cover on 4 February, but that didn’t happen. Now fresh test vehicles are back on Indian roads, which suggests development is still in full swing.
So what exactly is the Tekton, and where will it fit in an already crowded segment? Here’s everything confirmed and expected so far.
What Is the Nissan Tekton?
The Tekton marks Nissan’s re entry into the 4.2 to 4.4 metre midsize SUV space. This is the same segment the brand exited after discontinuing the Kicks in 2023.
This is also one of the most competitive segments in India. Key rivals include:
Hyundai Creta
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
Volkswagen Taigun
Skoda Kushaq
In short, this is where the big sales numbers come from.
The Tekton will be based on the new generation Renault Duster platform, which is also expected to launch in India. While the two will share mechanicals, the Tekton is not expected to be a simple rebadge. Nissan is likely to give it its own design and positioning.
Spy Shot Observations: Exterior
Even though the test car was fully camouflaged, a few details stood out.
This particular test mule appears to be a top spec variant. It was running on 18 inch alloy wheels with 225 section tyres. That is quite serious rubber for this segment and usually points to a higher trim.
Compared to the upcoming Duster, the Tekton seems to be going for a cleaner, more premium look. There appears to be less rugged body cladding and more focus on a polished urban design.
Expected exterior highlights include:
Connected LED DRLs at the front
A sharper Nissan specific grille
Unique headlamp design
Tail lamps different from the Duster
Some shared elements like fog lamps
Overall, the Tekton looks positioned as the more urban and premium sibling, rather than a hardcore rugged SUV.
Interior and Features: What to Expect
Inside, Nissan is expected to do more than just swap badges.
The overall dashboard layout could be similar to the Duster, but with different textures, colours, and trims to give it a distinct Nissan feel.
Expected feature list:
10 inch infotainment system with Google based OS
10.25 inch digital instrument cluster
Dual zone climate control
Ventilated front seats
Panoramic sunroof
360 degree camera
Level 2 ADAS
If Nissan manages to offer all of this at a competitive price, the Tekton will have a strong feature list against rivals.
Engine Options and Performance
Mechanically, the Tekton is expected to mirror the Duster. That is not a bad thing, as the new Duster platform supports multiple modern powertrains.
Expected engine options:
| Engine | Power Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 litre turbo petrol | Around 100 PS | Entry level turbo option |
| 1.3 litre turbo petrol | 160 plus PS | Performance focused variant |
| Strong hybrid petrol | Around 160 PS | Paired with 1.4 kWh battery |
Gearbox options should include both manual and automatic choices, depending on the engine.
The hybrid option is especially interesting. Very few SUVs in this segment offer a proper strong hybrid setup with decent performance.
Space, Practicality and Ground Clearance
Practicality looks like one of the Tekton’s key strengths.
Expected highlights:
Around 700 litres of boot space when loaded to the roof
Spacious cabin layout
212 mm ground clearance
That ground clearance figure puts it right among the best in the segment for Indian road conditions.
Expected Price and Positioning
Pricing will be crucial.
Since the Tekton is closely related to the Duster, expect it to land in a similar price band, possibly with a slight premium for Nissan’s positioning and feature mix.
It could sit between the Creta Seltos class and the Grand Vitara Hyryder duo, depending on the variant and powertrain.
What About the Delayed Reveal?
The postponed reveal naturally raises a few questions.
Possible reasons could include:
Production related adjustments
Pricing strategy changes after studying rivals
Internal scheduling shifts
There is no official explanation yet, so there is no reason to panic. But it is something to keep an eye on.
Final Thoughts
The Nissan Tekton is an important product for the brand’s India comeback.
This is the highest volume SUV segment in the country, and Nissan has been missing from it since the Kicks was discontinued. The Tekton could give the company a proper foothold again, especially if it offers strong features and competitive pricing.
If Nissan gets the price, after sales support, and launch timing right, the Tekton could become a serious alternative to the usual choices.
