Nissan Tekton review: A Duster underneath, but much more than a badge swap

The obvious question with Nissan Tekton is: isn’t this essentially a Renault Duster with a Nissan badge? To a considerable degree, yes. The two SUVs share their platform, powertrains and much of their underlying engineering, but Nissan has taken that proven package and given it a distinctly different interpretation. After driving it for more than 700km from Chandigarh towards Leh, through highways, mountain roads and broken surfaces, it becomes clear that this is not simply a badge swap. Nissan has concentrated on design, cabin ambience and equipment to create a more premium alternative.

The exterior is the clearest expression of that strategy. Nissan has drawn on the design language of its larger SUVs, particularly the Patrol, to give Tekton a broad, upright stance. The connected lighting treatment, C-shaped daytime running lights, sculpted bonnet and prominent grille give the front end considerably more presence than the Duster. The side profile is clean, with chunky wheel arches and 18-inch alloys on higher variants, while the pillar-mounted rear door handles provide a familiar Nissan cue. The rear lighting treatment again takes inspiration from the Patrol. It is a substantial-looking SUV without feeling cumbersome, and the 212mm ground clearance gives it the right proportions for a vehicle intended to deal with Indian roads.

Nissan has taken an equally deliberate approach inside. The basic architecture is familiar, but the trim, detailing and colour combinations give the cabin a different character. The use of purple is particularly interesting because it moves away from the predictable black and grey interiors that dominate this segment. It will divide opinion, but it also gives Tekton personality, which is important when the mechanical package is shared with another SUV. Depending on the variant, equipment includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, ventilated front seats and a powered driver’s seat. Higher variants add ADAS, a 3D Around View Monitor and Google built-in connectivity.

The powertrain range is straightforward. The T160 uses a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol producing 100PS and 166Nm, paired with a six-speed manual. The T280 gets a 1.3-litre four-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol producing 163PS and 280Nm, with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DCT. Nissan quotes 0-100kph in 9.51 seconds for the T280 manual and 9.89 seconds for the DCT, with claimed efficiency of 17.8kpl and 18.5kpl respectively. For this SUV, the T280 is clearly the engine to have. The 1.0-litre is adequate for urban use, but once the car is loaded and the road starts climbing, the larger engine’s additional torque becomes particularly useful.

The T280 does have noticeable turbo lag at low revs. The initial response can feel muted before the turbocharger gets properly into its stride, particularly on steep gradients. Once on boost, however, the engine has a strong mid-range and enough performance for highway cruising and mountain overtaking. The DCT is the easier choice for everyday driving, while the manual has its own appeal on mountain roads, where the added control over the engine is useful.

212mm ground clearance helps the Tekton tackle rough roads
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Special Arrangement

The real strength of Tekton, however, is its chassis. This is where the Duster connection becomes an advantage rather than something Nissan needs to explain away. The ride quality is excellent, with enough compliance to absorb broken tarmac, potholes and sharp-edged imperfections, without allowing the body to become excessively loose. On a long mountain drive, that balance matters enormously. Tekton remains comfortable over poor surfaces but does not feel vague when the road opens up.

The steering is similarly well judged. Nissan offers Light and Heavy modes, although the lighter setting is perfectly usable at speed. Tekton is not a sports SUV, but it responds predictably and remains composed through bends. On the mountain sections of our route, the combination of suspension compliance and body control was particularly impressive. It does not require the driver to slow dramatically every time the surface deteriorates, which makes it a genuinely capable long-distance machine rather than simply a comfortable urban SUV.

The 212mm ground clearance also proved its worth on a trip like this. Tekton remains front-wheel drive, so it is not a hardcore off-roader, but the clearance and suspension travel give it useful rough-road ability. It can deal with broken surfaces, ruts and unexpected obstacles with confidence, and that is exactly the sort of capability that makes a difference when you leave the familiar roads behind. Braking performance is equally reassuring, with a progressive pedal and enough stopping power for a vehicle of this size, something that becomes particularly important on long mountain descents.

Nissan Tekton T280 turbo-petrol engine delivers 163PS and 280Nm
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Special Arrangement

Practicality is another strength. Nissan quotes a 518-litre boot, while the rear seat comfortably accommodates four adults. That makes Tekton well-suited to touring. On a road trip, luggage, camera equipment and clothing quickly consume space, and the Nissan has enough capacity to avoid forcing passengers to compromise. The cabin is also well suited to long hours behind the wheel, with supportive front seats and a generally relaxed driving position.

Safety is comprehensive, with six airbags and a five-star Bharat NCAP rating. Higher variants add ADAS and the 3D Around View Monitor, giving Tekton the technology expected of a modern premium mid-size SUV. There is, however, one significant omission from Nissan’s strategy: there is no hybrid powertrain. Buyers who spend most of their time in urban traffic and prioritise fuel economy will find hybrid rivals more compelling. Tekton instead makes its case through conventional turbo-petrol performance and strong road manners.

Nissan Tekton gets a bold, Patrol-inspired design
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Special Arrangement

That brings us back to the Duster. There is no point pretending Tekton is an entirely new engineering proposition. It shares its platform and mechanical package with the Renault, and Nissan has borrowed heavily from an architecture that has already proved its worth. But that is not necessarily a weakness. Nissan has understood that the areas where it needs to differentiate are the ones customers experience every day. The exterior has more presence, the cabin feels more premium, the unusual purple detailing gives it character and the equipment list is strong.

More importantly, the underlying engineering works. The Chandigarh-Leh drive demonstrated that Tekton’s strengths extend well beyond the showroom or specification sheet. The suspension can absorb punishment, the chassis remains composed, the T280 has sufficient performance for serious touring and the cabin keeps occupants comfortable over long distances. Tekton feels particularly convincing when the road gets difficult, which is exactly where an SUV should prove its capability.

Nissan Tekton on the Chandigarh-Leh route
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Special Arrangement

At ₹10.49 lakh to ₹18.59 lakh ex-showroom price, Tekton enters one of India’s most competitive segments, facing the Creta, Seltos, Victoris, Taigun and its Duster sibling. It will not win every comparison. The lack of a hybrid, the turbo lag and the familiarity of its mechanical relationship with the Duster are legitimate considerations. But after this drive, I would have no hesitation recommending the Tekton to someone who values ride quality, long-distance comfort, strong highway performance and the confidence to venture well beyond the city.

Nissan may have borrowed the Duster’s foundations, but it has done enough with the design, cabin and positioning to make Tekton feel like a product with its own purpose, and the road to Leh proved that the substance underneath is strong enough to support that ambition.

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