When it comes to purchasing a subcompact SUV in India, two models stand out: the Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. These vehicles have carved a niche in the market with their competitive pricing, comprehensive features, and brand reliability. But which one truly offers the best value for your money?
In this guide, we’ll dive into the design, performance, features, fuel efficiency, and safety aspects of both models, giving you a detailed comparison to help you decide which subcompact SUV is the better choice.
1. Design and Exterior
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon stands out in the subcompact SUV segment with its bold, modern design, featuring a coupe-like roofline that adds to its dynamic stance.
The latest facelift offers sharper LED DRLs, a redefined grille, and dual-tone roof options, creating a strong presence on the road. Its 209 mm ground clearance ensures that the subcompact SUV tackles Indian road conditions with ease.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza sticks to a more traditional SUV look, with a boxy design that appeals to those who prefer a classic aesthetic. The recent facelift brings in a sleeker grille and LED headlights, giving it a fresh appearance.
While it might not be as radical as the Tata Nexon, the Brezza holds its ground in the subcompact SUV category with its robust yet understated design.
2. Interior and Comfort
Tata Nexon
The cabin of the Tata Nexon exudes a premium feel, with soft-touch materials and a well-laid-out dashboard. It features a 7-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it highly functional.
Spacious legroom and rear AC vents enhance comfort for passengers. As a subcompact SUV, it offers an impressive 350 litres of boot space, making it suitable for both city driving and long-distance trips.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza offers a functional, if somewhat utilitarian, interior. Its cabin layout is straightforward, featuring a 7-inch infotainment system that is easy to use and provides Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
While the Brezza’s cabin may not feel as plush as the Nexon’s, it delivers on practicality, with ample storage and seating comfort for passengers. The subcompact SUV offers a slightly smaller 328-litre boot, but it remains practical for most family needs.
Performance and Engine Options
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon offers both petrol and diesel engine options, making it a versatile choice for those looking for a subcompact SUV. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine generates 118 bhp and 170 Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful engines in the segment. Its 1.5-litre diesel variant delivers 108 bhp and 260 Nm of torque, providing excellent performance for long drives. Both engines are available with manual and automatic transmission options, adding to the flexibility.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 103 bhp and 138 Nm of torque. While it lacks a diesel option, Maruti’s mild-hybrid technology compensates with enhanced fuel efficiency, especially in city driving conditions.
The Brezza, though not as powerful as the Nexon, offers a smooth and reliable driving experience, which makes it a strong contender in the subcompact SUV market.
Fuel Efficiency
Tata Nexon
For those prioritising fuel efficiency, the Tata Nexon offers competitive figures. The petrol variant provides around 17-18 kmpl, while the diesel model gives 21-22 kmpl. While the Nexon’s fuel efficiency is decent, it is not class-leading in the subcompact SUV category, particularly when compared to the Brezza.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza excels in the fuel efficiency department, thanks to its mild-hybrid technology. The manual variant offers around 19-20 kmpl, while the automatic version provides 18-19 kmpl, making it one of the most economical vehicles in the subcompact SUV segment. If fuel savings are a top concern, the Brezza clearly has an edge over the Nexon.
Safety Features
Tata Nexon
Safety is one of the Tata Nexon’s strongest points. The subcompact SUV boasts a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, making it one of the safest cars in India.
Standard safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Higher variants come equipped with features like Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Assist, and a rearview camera.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Brezza offers solid safety features with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. However, it lacks the 5-star safety rating that the Tata Nexon holds.
Though Maruti Suzuki claims that the Brezza meets all safety standards, the Nexon’s superior safety credentials make it the better choice for safety-conscious buyers in the subcompact SUV market.
Features and Technology
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon comes loaded with features, especially in the higher variants. Key highlights include a Harman-sourced sound system, a digital instrument cluster, a sunroof, keyless entry, and connected car technology.
The subcompact SUV also offers a user-friendly touchscreen interface, though it feels slightly outdated compared to more modern systems.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Brezza offers similar features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and connected car technology. However, the Brezza’s infotainment system is not as premium as the Nexon’s Harman setup.
Still, the subcompact SUV provides adequate features for tech-savvy buyers, with the higher variants incorporating more advanced options.
Price and Value for Money
Tata Nexon
With petrol variants starting at ₹8.00 lakh and diesel variants going up to ₹14.60 lakh, the Tata Nexon is priced competitively in the subcompact SUV segment. Given its powerful engines, premium interiors, and high safety standards, the Nexon offers great value for money for those seeking a feature-packed subcompact SUV.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza starts at ₹8.29 lakh for petrol variants and goes up to ₹14.14 lakh for automatic variants. While it lacks the diesel engine option and the powerful performance of the Nexon, the Brezza compensates with its excellent fuel efficiency and Maruti’s widespread service network, making it a cost-effective choice in the subcompact SUV category.
After-Sales Service and Reliability
Tata Nexon
Tata Motors has significantly improved its after-sales service, making it easier for subcompact SUV owners to maintain their vehicles. While Tata’s service network is still catching up to Maruti’s, the company offers extended warranty plans, which ensure that Nexon owners can enjoy a hassle-free ownership experience.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
One of the Brezza’s key strengths is Maruti Suzuki’s unmatched service network. With service centres spread across even the most remote regions of India, subcompact SUV owners can rest assured that maintenance will be convenient and cost-effective. Maruti’s extensive network also ensures a higher resale value for the Brezza, making it a dependable choice for long-term ownership.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of subcompact SUVs, both the Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza have their strengths. If you’re looking for a powerful, feature-packed, and safe subcompact SUV, the Nexon is the better choice. Its 5-star safety rating, turbocharged engine options, and premium cabin make it a compelling option for those who value performance and safety.
However, if your primary focus is on fuel efficiency, ease of maintenance, and overall cost-effectiveness, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is hard to beat. Its efficient engine, lower maintenance costs, and Maruti’s extensive service network make it a practical option for city commuters and families alike.
Ultimately, the choice between the Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza boils down to your priorities. Both models offer excellent value for money in the subcompact SUV segment, making them worthy contenders in India’s SUV market.
Frequently Asked Question’s
1. Which is better for fuel efficiency: Tata Nexon or Maruti Suzuki Brezza?
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has an edge over the Tata Nexon in terms of fuel efficiency. The Brezza’s mild-hybrid technology helps it achieve around 19-20 kmpl in its manual variant, while the Nexon offers approximately 17-18 kmpl for petrol and 21-22 kmpl for diesel. If fuel savings are a priority, the Brezza is the more economical choice.
2. Is the Tata Nexon safer than the Maruti Suzuki Brezza?
Yes, the Tata Nexon is considered one of the safest vehicles in the subcompact SUV segment, with a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. It comes with advanced safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, and Hill Hold Assist. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza offers essential safety features but does not match the Nexon’s 5-star safety credentials.
3. Which SUV offers better after-sales service: Tata Nexon or Maruti Suzuki Brezza?
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza benefits from Maruti’s extensive service network across India, ensuring convenient maintenance and better resale value. While Tata Motors has improved its after-sales service for the Tata Nexon, Maruti’s larger network makes the Brezza a more reliable choice for those prioritising service accessibility.
Wishing You a Happy Diwali from My Car Wisdom!
As Diwali, the festival of lights, brightens our homes and hearts, we at My Car Wisdom wish you a joyous and prosperous celebration. May this Diwali bring you and your family happiness, success, and new beginnings.While you’re preparing for the festivities, don’t forget to make your drive just as exciting as your celebrations.
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