Nissan Tekton SUV unveiled: Patrol-inspired Creta-rival to launch in India by mid-2026

The 'Tekton' name is derived from a Greek word that means craftsman or architect.

Nissan Motor India today gave the first glimpse of its upcoming C-segment 5-seater SUV, the Nissan Tekton, marking the brand's next major SUV for the country after the Magnite. The Tekton, whose design draws inspiration from the legendary Nissan Patrol, will be launched in India around June 2026.

The Tekton will be Nissan's second SUV developed under its 'One Car, One World' strategy, which focuses on creating globally relevant products. It will be manufactured at the Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) facility in Chennai and exported to select international markets.

Although Nissan has rebalanced its stake in RNAIPL, handing over complete control to Renault, the Chennai facility, which has an installed capacity of around 4,80,000 units per year, continues to produce vehicles for both Alliance partners.

The Tekton's name is derived from a Greek word meaning 'craftsman' or 'architect'. In India, it will compete directly with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Tata Curvv, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor.

The SUV borrows several visual elements from the Patrol, including the C-shaped LED headlamp signature, muscular bonnet, and a bold front bumper that gives it a commanding presence. The profile features strong shoulder lines and a unique 'Double-C' door accent with a subtle Himalayan motif. At the rear, a red illuminated lightbar runs across the tailgate, flanked by dynamic tail-lamps and prominent TEKTON lettering.

Nissan Motor Company Corporate Executive Alfonso Albaisa said, "The all-new Nissan Tekton draws its design inspiration from our legendary Patrol. It is designed to disrupt, dominate, and deliver everything today's modern Indian consumer desires. The design and build quality are distinctly Nissan -- embodying the best of our SUV DNA."

Nissan Motor India Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa said, "The all-new Nissan Tekton will be at the centre of Nissan's resurgence story and a key part of our future portfolio in India. With its bold looks, premium interiors, and strong presence, we expect it to be a segment disruptor."

Nissan is gearing up to launch three new models in India, as confirmed earlier by the company's management. The roadmap includes a new compact MPV (around February 2026), the Tekton 5-seater C-SUV (around June 2026) and a 7-seater C-SUV (around January 2027). These will form the core of Nissan's next growth phase in India.

Currently, the Nissan Magnite remains the company's sole volume driver in India. The introduction of the Tekton is expected to broaden Nissan's appeal in the competitive mid-size SUV segment dominated by the Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara and Hyryder.

We expect the Nissan Tekton price in India to be between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom).