Tata Nexon’s compact SUV comes with a wide range of options, from cosmetic tweaks to additional features.

At an aggressive Rs 5.85 lakh for the base petrol XE model, Tata has unveiled its Nexon compact SUV. At Rs 6.85 lakh, the XE diesel’s entry-level price is competitive. For Rs 8.60 lakh, you can have a top-spec petrol model, while for Rs 9.45 lakh, you can get an XZ+ dual-tone roof model (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Nexon comes in a total of four trim levels, and each one comes with a vast list of optional extras. It enables purchasers to specify a lesser variation with some of the equipment found in higher trims, which is unusual for this segment. The Nexon’s warranty will not be voided if you add any of the following accessories, so you may customize your small SUV however you like.

The dealer has provided a complete price list of the accessories, along with the various options they come in:

Tata Nexon EV Max road review: New wine in an old bottle with a pricier tag

Aside from being visually similar to the Nexon EV, it’s not all about appearances for electric vehicles. More than anything else, Tata Motors’ new battery-powered vehicle is all about making roads and lengthy drives more accessible.

In your mind, what is the one factor that prohibits you from purchasing an electric vehicle? Price? That being said, how about the second one? Range? You may have had reservations about buying, owning, and driving an electric vehicle because of these two concerns. Tata Motors says they’ve found the right balance in the newly-launched Nexon EV Max, which, while looking like a Nexon, has a significantly higher range per charge and faster-charging options.

Many families across India have been introduced to electric vehicles thanks to the Nexon EV, which is a rousing success story in the Indian electric mobility arena. Nexon EV and Tigor EV were the most popular models offered by Tata Motors in the most recent quarter, with almost 9,000 units sold. The electric SUV’s success can be attributed to several factors, including its high ground clearance, attractive design, and modern interior. However, many believe that the paucity of EV options in India is also a crucial factor in Nexon EV’s success. At roughly 200 kilometers in real-world driving distance, this is more of a city slicker than a highway warrior.

The Nexon EV Max, an electric vehicle that aims to build on the Nexon EV’s merits while also paying close attention to important issues like range and performance, glides in silently. The interior of the Max has also been updated, and despite its more fantastic price, it is aimed at a more advanced EV buyer.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Variants

The XZ+ and XZ+ Lux versions of the Nexon EV Max are now available. The XZ+ Lux has a few more features in the cabin than the XZ+, but the range and charging choices are the same for both models.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Exterior

There aren’t many exterior design differences between Nexon EV and Nexon EV Max. It doesn’t even have a ‘Max’ insignia on the back of the vehicle. If you look closely, you can see that the alloy wheel design has been tweaked a bit and a new color choice has been added, but that’s all.

DRLs in the front, ‘EV’ badges on the front, side, and trunk, and 16-inch alloy wheels are all included in the new Nexon EV Max. Tata Motors’ newest color, Intense-teal, makes the EV Max stand out. The Blue-Daytona Grey combination on the Nexon EV is more eye-catching than the Nexon EV’s Blue-White scheme.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Cabin

While it isn’t immediately apparent that this is a more expensive Nexon EV, the improvements are nonetheless rather welcome inside. This model’s dashboard layout, steering wheel design, and infotainment and driver display screens are identical to those found on lower-range models, but the center console’s jeweled mode selector knob gives the car a more luxurious appearance.

Electric sunroof and wireless phone charging are among the other new features. There are also ventilated front seats. In an EV that says it can handle highway driving, these practical features are more than likely to enhance the enjoyment of long trips.

Because the Nexon EV Max is the same size as its predecessor, there is no difference here in terms of comfort. The seats in the back are fairly comfortable, with extensive under-thigh support and plenty of leg, knee, and headroom. Even the car’s upholstery colors, which come in a light tint, contribute greatly to the pleasant experience of being in this vehicle.

All of this is good until you consider the price of the Nexon EV Max. The model’s interior still has a lot of room for improvement, and the generous use of harsh plastics is a disappointment. Dust and fingerprints cling to portions of the interior that have been given a piano black finish treatment, such as the center console. The Nexon EV Max should have improved the quality of its materials to match the likes of the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona in terms of features.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Drive Performance

Even though it lacks the interior luxury of MG’s ZS EV, the Nexon EV Max aims to compete with it in terms of driving range and performance. And that’s where the bulk of the attention has been focused.

A 40.5 kWh li-ion battery pack with an IP67 rating lies at the heart of this electric vehicle. It has a far larger capacity than its younger sibling’s 30.2 kWh, therefore it is better able to go the distance. Space-related changes have not been necessitated by the increased battery capacity. To accommodate the larger battery, Tata engineers made alterations to the floor bed. As a result, the cabin and boot volume remains the same at 350 liters.

143 PS and 250 Nm of torque are on hand, but there is no change in the car’s interior room. In the actual world, the contrast in driving dynamics between the two cars is clear to see.

The Nexon EV Max may start gently, as all-electric vehicles do, but it packs a powerful punch from the moment the throttle is depressed. This is a terrific feature, and the car always selects ‘City’ as the default mode when it’s started. When driving in this mode, the electric vehicle is looking for the right mix of performance and range. The ‘Sport’ mode, on the other hand, gives you access to all of the EV’s capabilities. Aside from Eco mode, there are no noticeable differences between Nexon EV Max’s performance in tight overtaking maneuvers and the other two.

Regenerative braking, while not new to electric vehicles, has been fine-tuned to ensure that the vehicle has enough slowing force on its own without overwhelming the driver. The Nexon EV Max’s regenerative braking can be adjusted to maximum strength using buttons on the central panel, but even at this setting, the vehicle proved easy to manage and maneuver. There are two advantages to driving on busy roads: reduced weariness and more energy being sent back to recharge the battery.

At 100%, our test unit exhibited a range of 320 kilometers, which we found to be the most critical factor in range. We drove the EV for about 150 miles over the next four hours, as well as parked it for about 30 minutes for a photoshoot. Consequently, when we returned the car, it had 55% battery remaining and could travel another 120 kilometers. Nexon EV Max’s real-world range will be higher than Nexon EV’s, even if it’s still affected by a variety of variables like topography, driving style, weather, and the strength of the air conditioning.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Price

There has been an official debut of Tata Nexon EV Max in the Indian market, with the XZ+ with 3.3kWh charging beginning at 17.74 lakh (ex-showroom). To recharge the battery, the EV must be left on overnight. The XZ+ model with a 7.2 kWh AC fast charger costs 18.24 lakh (about $184,000). (ex-showroom). For an additional 50,000, you can upgrade to the fast charger, which can charge the vehicle’s battery to 100 percent in seven hours.

Tata Nexon EV Max – Verdict

Imagining the Nexon EV Max as a tranquilizer is a good analogy. You may not need to get behind the wheel of one until you do. There is little doubt that the new Nexon EV Max is an improvement over the Nexon EV in terms of range and driving dynamics for individuals who frequently travel on the highway.

However, it is also very expensive, with a difference between equivalent Nexon EV models of between 2.5 lakh and 3 lakh. It’s disappointing that the outside of the vehicle hasn’t been updated, as a premium electric vehicle should look more luxurious. With the EV Max, the Nexon EV is likely to continue to reign supreme on Indian roads, catering to a very tiny number of extremely mature buyers who aren’t afraid to spend huge money to have a better range that is comparable to some even more expensive options like the ZS and Kona.

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