Tata Nexon Mileage 2026: Petrol, Diesel & CNG Mileage, Real-World Figures & Running Costs

If you are planning to buy a compact SUV in the ₹7 lakh to ₹15 lakh range, mileage is one of the first things you will check. The Tata Nexon has been one of India’s best-selling SUVs for many years. A big reason for this is its good fuel efficiency. But there is often a difference between what ARAI certifies and what you actually get on the road.

This post covers the Tata Nexon mileage for petrol, diesel, and CNG variants. It also explains what you can expect in city and highway driving and helps you decide which fuel type suits your needs best.

Tata Nexon Mileage – All Variants at a Glance

The diesel AMT variant gives the best certified mileage at 24.08 kmpl. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in its segment.

Tata Nexon Petrol Mileage

The petrol Nexon uses a 1.2-litre turbocharged Revotron engine that produces 120 PS. Depending on the variant, it is available with a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, AMT, or 7-speed DCT automatic transmission.

ARAI Certified Figures

• Manual: 17.44 kmpl
• AMT: 17.18 kmpl
• DCT: 17.01 kmpl

Typical Real-World Mileage Reported by Owners

• City driving: 11-13 kmpl
• Highway driving: 14-16 kmpl

City traffic, AC usage, frequent stops and hard acceleration all bring down the numbers from ARAI figures. This is the case with any car. On smooth highway drives, the petrol Nexon can return around 14-16 kmpl when driven efficiently.

The DCT variant is slightly lower on paper but offers the smoothest driving experience. It is a good choice if you mostly drive in the city and want a refined automatic transmission.

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Tata Nexon Diesel Mileage

The diesel Nexon uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged Revotorq engine that produces 115 PS. It is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed AMT.

ARAI Certified Figures

• Manual: 23.23 kmpl
• AMT: 24.08 kmpl

Typical Real-World Mileage Reported by Owners

• City driving: 14-17 kmpl
• Highway driving: 18-21 kmpl

The diesel Nexon is an excellent option for long-distance and highway driving. Owners who regularly cover 1,500 km or more per month, especially on highways and intercity routes, often report strong fuel efficiency. Even in city traffic, the diesel variant performs better than the petrol version because of its higher low-end torque.

Interestingly, the diesel AMT has a slightly higher ARAI-certified mileage figure than the manual version, although real-world fuel efficiency depends largely on driving conditions and driving style.

Tata Nexon iCNG Mileage

The Nexon iCNG is the factory-fitted CNG version built on the same 1.2-litre Revotron engine. It is a bi-fuel setup, meaning the car runs on CNG and automatically switches to petrol when the CNG runs out.

ARAI Certified Figure

• Manual: 17.44 km/kg

Typical Real-World Mileage

• City driving: 14-16 km/kg
• Highway driving: 17-19 km/kg

CNG mileage is measured in km per kg rather than kmpl because CNG is sold by weight. Since CNG is usually priced much lower than petrol in most Indian cities, the running cost per kilometre is significantly lower.

Tata uses its twin-cylinder CNG technology in the Nexon, which helps preserve more boot space compared to traditional single-cylinder setups. The twin cylinders have a combined water capacity of 60 litres, which typically allows around 9-10 kg of CNG to be filled. Depending on driving conditions, owners can generally expect around 130-180 km of driving on CNG before the vehicle switches to petrol.

While the iCNG variant is available only with a manual gearbox, Tata offers it across almost the entire trim lineup, from the entry-level variants right up to the top-tier, feature-loaded trims. 

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Petrol vs Diesel vs CNG – Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on how much you drive every month and where.

When to Choose Petrol:

• Your monthly running is under 1,000-1,200 km
• You mostly drive within the city
• You want a smoother and lighter engine feel
• You want the widest choice of variants and gearbox options

When to Choose Diesel:

• You regularly cover 1,500 km or more per month
• You do a lot of highway driving or outstation trips
• Long-term fuel savings matter more than the higher upfront price
• You want strong pulling power for hilly terrain or fully loaded drives

When to Choose iCNG:

• You have a CNG station close to your home or office
• Your daily travel is mostly within the city on a fixed route
• Low running cost per kilometre is your top priority
• You are comfortable with a manual gearbox and fewer variant options

The diesel Nexon costs more upfront, but the fuel savings over time can help offset the higher purchase price. This works particularly well because the diesel engine delivers vastly superior mileage compared to the turbo-petrol, allowing high-mileage drivers to recoup the premium upfront cost much faster. 

6 Tips to Improve Your Tata Nexon’s Mileage

You do not need to do anything complicated. A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference.

1. Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure

Keep the tyres inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance and can reduce fuel efficiency by 3-5%.

2. Drive Smoothly

Avoid sudden acceleration and harsh braking. Smooth and gradual driving is one of the biggest contributors to better real-world mileage.

3. Service the Vehicle on Time

A clean air filter, fresh engine oil and properly maintained engine components help the vehicle run efficiently. Delayed servicing often hurts fuel economy.

4. Avoid Excessive Idling

If you are parked for more than a minute, consider switching off the engine. Modern engines can handle frequent restarts without any issue.

5. Use Eco Mode

The Nexon offers drive modes, including Eco mode, which adjusts throttle response to improve fuel efficiency. It can be particularly useful in city traffic.

6. Use the AC Wisely

Air conditioning increases fuel consumption, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Parking in shaded areas and avoiding unnecessary cooling can help improve mileage.

Final Verdict

The Tata Nexon offers good fuel efficiency for its segment. The diesel variants are among the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs available in India, while the petrol version remains a practical choice for everyday use. The iCNG variant is ideal for buyers looking for the lowest running costs and easy access to CNG infrastructure.

Whichever variant you choose, the Nexon remains one of the strongest value-for-money compact SUVs in the market. It combines a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, modern features, and competitive fuel efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions