After a long hiatus from Team BHP, getting back. This time I am back after buying the Nexon BS6 XZA+ Optional Dual tone.
Background
I have been Hyundai Santro/i10 automatic user for 15 years. Started with a Santro automatic in 2005 and upgraded to i10 and grand i10 over these years. I love the Hyundai cars for their amazing refined petrol engine and smooth torque converters.
Why from Hyundai to Tata and that too from Torque converters to AMT?
Primary reason to go for the Tata Nexon is its safety rating. I want to keep my family safe whenever we go for a drive or out on the road. I am surprised with the exterior build quality of the Nexon BS6.
Second reason, design and styling. The Nexon BS6 face-lift is gorgeous with the aggressive bonet, headlamps and the lower grill. I am still doubtful about the piano black finish grill, but I can live with it. The wide fenders, awesome and super aggressive, actually that gives the Nexon it's wide and aggressive road presence.
Third reason, AMT more fuel efficient than torque converters.
Fourth reason, I wanted to own a C-SUV
Other Considerations
Kia Sonet GTX DCT or iMT - The KIA dealer Trivandrum didn't have both the cars for Test drive and offered me diesel manual for test drive. I lost interest plus the sales guys said I have to wait for 3 months.
Nissan Magnite CVT - Again the dealership in Trivandrum said they can only give the test drive vehicle to customers who have pre booked the magnite. Again lost interest.
Nexon Booking and Purchase Experience
So I purchased the Nexon BS6 from Trivandrum Motors. When I booked for the test drive, the sales guy said they don't have the AMT and blah blah. I almost gave up and decided to exchange my Grand i10 for the Venue automatic. But I wasn't too keen on going with a Hyundai as I wanted a change. So one fine morning the Trivandrum motors sales guys calls me and says he's ready to bring the petrol manual for test drive. I thought, WTH, let me give it a try.
The sales dude brought the car and as soon I got in, I realised the interior quality is nowhere near that of my Grand i10. Nevertheless Tata quality has improved vastly from the Indica, Indigo, Tiago days. And I can live with the Nexon quality.
The petrol manual test drive was ok, the test drive vehicle was abused, I would say. Anyway, I decided that I will go with the petrol automatic without test drive and the factors that led me to take the blind decision was
1. Solid exterior build quality
2. Superb front and back seat comfort
3. Amazing ride handling and ride comfort
Although I was apprehensive of the AMT without test drive since I have read reports that AMT is slower, jerky and not as smooth as Torque Converter or CVT. It was worth the risk, I would say, which I will explain later.
So the booking was done on 20th Dec 2020 and the sales guy said a min waiting of 45 day and max of 60 days. I was ok since I had the grand i10 was not planning to sell it off.
To my surprise the dealership called me a week after and brought the AMT petrol for a test drive, and to my horror the AMT was horribly jerky and the manual mode was super slow. I thought I regretted the decision and wanted to cancel the booking, but the sales guy said this won't happen in the new car and it will be smooth blah blah!! I was skeptical and didn't cancel the booking.
Around 9th Jan 2021 I get a call from the dealership saying my car is ready and has been dispatched from the factory. I was like, wait a minute I thought I had to wait for 45 to 60 days for the car and asked the sales guy if he was selling me a used car
and didn't believe them. He then straightaway asked me to pay up the initial amount so by the time the car arrives they can take for registration. I was put off with this as I didn't believe them and demanded the VIN and Engine number. The dealership gave me the VIN number the next day and I was able to verify that the vehicle was manufactured in 2021. I then paid up the initial amount and enquired when the car can be delivered. The dealership confirmed by 15th Jan the car will arrive in the yard and by 20th Jan they can deliver the car. So the car arrived on 15th Jan at their yard and was slated for 20th Jan delivery. However things didn't go smooth from there
1. As part of the deal, Trivandrum Motors gave me a discount offer of 13k during booking. Since I took the car loan from my bank Axis, the bank gave me an insurance which was 2000 cheaper than the one offered by the dealer. I told the dealer on 16th Jan that I won't be requiring the insurance. The next day Trivandrum motor sales guy calls me and says if I don't take the insurance from the dealership there will be a huge problem for me. I was like, what the hell, what problem would I face if the insurance is taken from my bank. I understood these guys want to push the insurance provided by the dealership and I firmly rejected saying insurance will be from my bank and if you're not happy with it, I am happy to cancel the booking. The same day sales guy calls me and says they're ok with the insurance being taken from the bank. So I asked my bank to disburse the loan amount. The very next day after disbursement, Trivandrum motors sales rep calls me and says the 13k discount offered earlier is not valid anymore as Tata Motors canceled it for 2021 cars. I was furious and this time I was going to cancel the deal and ask the dealership to refund my bank. However their manager came over and pacified by saying that they will give me free accessories like mud flaps, floor mat and Teflon coating. I was in no mood to budge but I thought I am getting the car early and didn't have to wait for 60 days.
2. After the settlement Trivandrum motors was super slow in delivering the vehicle, they were super enthusiastic in getting me to pay the final amount however soon after that it's like they were least bothered to update me on the registration status and delivery date. Finally after some tough talking they delivered the vehicle on 27th Jan, 7 days after their promised date of 20th Jan.
3. I requested the dealership to complete my KYC for the IRA connected app and update the Infotainment system to R14 before delivery. Sadly both were not done and the sales rep just gave me blank promises saying they were already done. The KYC and infotainment update was done 2 weeks after the delivery and that too after complaining to Tata Motors.
4. The Trivandrum Motors sales rep don't have knowledge of certain features in the car like activating cruise control and they were clueless about the fact that Nexon Telematics have 2 SIM cards; BSNL and Airtel
It was a frustrating experience with Trivandrum Motors while nearing the delivery. After the delivery I registered a formal complaint with Tata Motors on the 13k discount cancellation, IRA KYC, Infotainment update and few other issues I faced with the dealership. I am yet to hear back on the 13k discount cancellation.
Drive Experience and AMT Experience
Went for a short drive soon after the delivery and I was impressed
1. AMT is actually smooth just like the sales guy said unlike their AMT test drive vehicle. However not smooth and quick compared to a Torque Converter, but smooth enough to enjoy the drive without major jerks. But, the AMT manual mode is quite frustrating. When the manual is slotted in, AMT downshifts and the engine revs up. Also, the shift is very slow. I think I prefer driving the AMT in auto mode.
2. The Nexon feels depressed, slow to rev in the 1st and 2nd gears. In the Eco mode it's worse, manageable in City mode. Haven't tried in Sports mode yet. But the ride is super stable and on high speeds Nexon feels planted. The engine settles in from 3rd gear onwards and 3 digit speeds can be achieved pretty quick. The engine roars into life in Sports mode, however I have only tried sports mode in 4th gear. Overtaking can be easy if you shift to sports mode before Overtaking. I find shifting to sports mode better for Overtaking rather than manual mode.
3. NVH - Nexon petrol Engine sounds like a mini diesel
probably because I come from the refined Hyundai petrol engines. Also the fact, it's a 3 cyl turbocharged. But I am glad the engine noise is dampened out thanks to the sound system. Road noise is very minimal, on smooth roads very quiet however on bumpy rides you can hear a bit of the road noise creeping in.
4. Harman Infotainment Sound System - Speechless and mind blown. The sound system is bassy and the tweeters add a clarity to the sound output. I am super happy with the Lows, Mids and Highs. The touchscreen is slow to respond and not refined, but it became better after the R14 update.
5. IRA connected app - Decent to monitor your vehicle's live position, geo fence etc. Honestly I was expecting remote engine and air con start stop. Commands are send quickly if you're in a high speed network coverage area, the max delay I witnessed so far has been 2 seconds. Hope Tata Motors can bring the remote engine and air con start stop as an update soon.
6. Mileage- I am happy with the mileage, gets what has been advertised. City average 10 to 11 Kmpl, highway 13 to 15 kmpl.
Overall I am impressed and happy with the purchase and kudos to Tata for the amazing build quality.
Few Cons
1. Interior storage ergonomics is bad, I can't plug in the USB, my hand won't reach inside the USB and DC compartment
2. The plastic quality is not upto the mark, I honestly find my Grand i10 plastic quality better than the nexon.
3. Rear seat ingress and egress can be a bit difficult
4. I find the old nexon instrument cluster to better. The all new digital instrument cluster is not that appealing.
5. Headlamps- Could have been brighter.
Btw if any nexon bs6 owners have upgraded their headlamps to LED, appreciate your valuable suggestions.