As fuel prices for petrol and diesel continue to surge, alternative energy solutions like CNG and electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction. Tata Motors has recognized this shift, offering both EV and CNG variants in their lineup. One such standout is the recently launched Tata Nexon CNG, which pairs a turbocharged engine with the efficiency of CNG, making it a compelling option for those exploring more economical and sustainable choices.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the driving experience of the Nexon CNG to explore its performance, range, features, and overall appeal for the Indian market. Let’s begin!
The Growing Need for Alternatives: Why CNG?
With the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the market has been demanding affordable and eco-friendly alternatives. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles are one of the most practical solutions due to their lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions. However, CNG cars often suffer from lower power output compared to their petrol counterparts.
The Tata Nexon CNG changes that perception with its turbocharged petrol engine. Turbo engines are typically known for providing more power and torque, making this CNG model stand out from the crowd. While some competing models offer naturally aspirated engines with CNG, the Nexon comes equipped with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine, ensuring an exciting drive without compromising on fuel efficiency.
Nexon CNG: Key Features at a Glance
- 100 PS Power Output: The CNG variant delivers 100 PS, which is slightly lower than the 120 PS available in the petrol version but still provides plenty of punch for everyday driving.
- 170 Nm Torque: The turbo engine ensures that you feel the power at lower RPMs, providing a satisfying and responsive drive even in CNG mode.
- Turbocharged Performance: Unlike many other CNG cars that feel sluggish, the Nexon CNG’s turbo engine helps deliver smooth acceleration.
- 321 Liters of Boot Space: Despite housing two CNG tanks, the Nexon CNG manages to retain a 321-liter boot, which is quite spacious for a CNG car.
- Dual Fuel Option: The Nexon can seamlessly switch between CNG and petrol, ensuring that you won’t be stranded in areas without CNG stations.
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Performance and Driving Experience
Smooth Acceleration and Turbo Kick
The Tata Nexon CNG impressed right from the start with its smooth acceleration. One of the highlights of this variant is that it starts directly in CNG mode — no need to switch between petrol and CNG manually. The turbocharged engine kicks in effectively, especially when driving on highways. We took the Nexon CNG for a drive on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and the performance was stellar, with the car easily reaching speeds of 120-130 km/h and even touching 153 km/h at one point!
Despite the car being in sixth gear at 40 km/h, it showed no vibrations or performance issues, and the engine smoothly picked up speed without requiring a gear downshift. This seamless power delivery makes it hard to tell whether the car is running on CNG or petrol, which is a significant achievement for a CNG vehicle.
Turbo Lag and Low-End Torque
We noticed a slight turbo lag when driving at lower speeds, especially below 50 km/h, but it was manageable and didn’t affect the overall driving experience much. Once the turbo kicks in, the Nexon CNG feels almost identical to its petrol counterpart, especially in terms of acceleration and smoothness.
Suspension and Handling
For our test, we purposely chose rough and pothole-riddled roads to evaluate the Nexon CNG’s suspension. The car’s suspension is on the softer side, which means it soaks up bumps quite well. Even over larger potholes, the ride remained comfortable, showing that Tata has engineered the Nexon CNG to handle uneven Indian roads effectively.
On smooth highways, the car’s stability at high speeds was equally impressive. The steering gains weight as speed increases, providing excellent feedback and confidence while cornering.
Real-World Mileage: Does It Hold Up?
Tata Motors claims a CNG mileage of 24 km/kg for the Nexon CNG. We put that claim to the test by driving 174.5 km in CNG mode, maintaining an average speed of 100-120 km/h, with occasional stretches at 130-150 km/h.
Our real-world test delivered an impressive mileage of around 20 km/kg. This result is particularly notable given that we were driving at high speeds, which typically reduces fuel efficiency. At lower speeds or city driving conditions, we believe the Nexon CNG could easily achieve the claimed mileage or even exceed it.
Limitations and Missing Features
While the Nexon CNG has a lot to offer, there are a couple of missing features that could enhance the driving experience:
- Cruise Control: Despite being a top variant with a panoramic sunroof, the Nexon CNG lacks cruise control, which could have made long highway drives more comfortable.
- Driving Modes: In the CNG variant, Tata has removed the driving mode selector that is available in the petrol variants. This is a minor issue but may be missed by those familiar with Tata’s driving modes.
- No Automatic Transmission: Nexon CNG comes with only 6 speed Manual Transmission, there will be no Automatic Transmission like what we saw AMT in Tiago CNG.
Conclusion: A Turbocharged CNG Experience
The Tata Nexon CNG delivers on multiple fronts, especially for those looking for an affordable and eco-friendly option without sacrificing performance. With its turbocharged engine, smooth handling, and competitive mileage, it stands out in a market where most CNG vehicles prioritize efficiency over driving pleasure.
While a few features like cruise control and driving modes would have added to the experience, the overall package is solid, especially considering its price range. If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that combines CNG efficiency with turbocharged performance, the Nexon CNG should be on your shortlist.
Would you choose CNG over petrol or EV for your next car? Let us know in the comments below!
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