Nissan Tekton

Ownership of the Nissan Tekton in 2026 comes with a trade-off: strong on-paper performance and features, balanced against Nissan's still-developing service infrastructure in India. At a starting price of Rs 10.49 Lakh, it undercuts the Creta and Seltos on entry cost, though the top-end at Rs 18.59 Lakh moves into serious mid-size SUV territory. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol delivers adequate efficiency for city use, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol trades some economy for genuinely strong overtaking power on highways. Mechanically, the manual gearbox on the base engine is straightforward to live with, and the inclusion of ESC, Hill Assist, and available TPMS on higher variants brings it in line with segment safety expectations. Unlike the Hyundai Creta, which benefits from over a decade of local parts localization, the Tekton's shared Duster underpinnings mean consumables should become more affordable as Renault-Nissan alliance volumes scale up in India. From a maintenance perspective, turbocharged engines generally demand slightly more frequent servicing attention than naturally aspirated units, and this is reflected in a marginally higher annual cost estimate. The absence of a confirmed spare tyre specification and variant-dependent TPMS means budget-conscious buyers should check the exact trim carefully before purchase. The high-strength steel body structure supports long-term durability, but resale value remains an open question given Nissan's limited used-car demand history in India compared to Hyundai or Kia. For a buyer prioritizing raw power and feature value per rupee, the Tekton undercuts the Seltos and Creta at similar spec levels, but the total cost of ownership calculation should weigh in the smaller service network and unproven resale curve. The lack of ADAS on lower trims and 'Not Tested' NCAP status at launch are additional factors that will influence long-term buyer confidence until independent crash data becomes available. For buyers comfortable being early adopters of a new nameplate, the Tekton offers strong value; for those prioritizing predictability and a stress-free ownership experience, more established rivals still hold an edge.