
TATA Nexon EV MAX review
To the max and beyond
(ex-showroom)

Design



Tech bits

The Nexon’s feature list gets quite the upgrade, and it all starts with front ventilated seats. Is there any feature that is as convenient as ventilated seats? The feature feels like a blessing, especially when shooting outdoors in this ongoing heatwave and it works as advertised, but we wish the buttons were more ergonomically located. Trying to cool your underside requires some Braille-work, hunting for the buttons on the side of the seat.


There’s also a wireless charging pad that’s conveniently placed on the left of the driver seat, where you’d usually find the handbrake. Instead of the manual lever, the Nexon EV Max gets an electronic parking brake with auto hold functionality.

Another new feature, which is clearly inspired from the Koreans, is a built-in air purifier. While the jury is out on exactly how effective an air purifier is in a car, it still offers a peace of mind seeing the AQI levels falling, and hoping that you’re breathing clean air.

Tata has retained the 7in infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard. While it’s feature-packed with support for (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the resolution is still low and touch response is not so snappy. It honestly feels a bit dated when compared to what we see in cars in this price range.

For audio, there is an eight-speaker system by Harman, which includes four mid/bass drivers and four tweeters. Output levels can get quite loud – helped by low NVH levels of an EV – but the sound lacks refinement. Even after adjusting the equaliser, the crucial midrange where voices tend to hang around, sounded a bit harsh and lacked depth.


Driving


There are three levels of regenerative braking, which can be switched with a flick of a button. Even at its highest setting, the braking is not too harsh, and only feels like an unseen entity is gently applying the brakes for you. While it is good for someone experiencing EVs for the first time, it doesn’t quite allow complete one-pedal driving.

Tata has again opted for a rotary drive selector knob, which gets a big boost in quality. It now gets a premium knurled texture, and a digital display on top to show the modes. It looks great, feels nice to touch, and there’s a satisfying click on every mode. But switching between modes is still painfully slow, and that lag feels like an eternity when doing a three-point turn on a busy street.
Battery

Verdict

Stuff Says
A bump in specs, features and price tag make the Nexon EV Max a worthy upgrade over the Nexon EV
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Specifications
Motor: | Permanent magnet synchronous AC |
Power: | 140hp |
Torque: | 250 Nm |
Drive modes: | Eco, City, Sport |
Battery pack: | 40.5 kWh Lithium ion |
Acceleration: | 0-100 kmph in 9 seconds |
Wheelbase: | 2,498 mm |
Ground clearance: | 190 mm |
Boot space: | 350 litres |