Nissan Tekton 1.3T Tekna+ (2026) Review
With Nissan winding down its manufacturing operations in South Africa, it has freed up some much needed cash, allowing the brand to focus on new products that will appeal to a local audience. One of the first new models to emerge from this arrangement is the all-new Nissan Tekton.
Nissan has a deep-rooted legacy in South Africa when it comes to rugged SUVs, dating back 75 years to icons like the Patrol. We visited Egypt last year for the unveiling of the brand-new model, the new Tekton, which would be offered only in the Middle East and Africa. Fast forward a few months, and Nissan itself has undergone a massive shift locally, going from manufacturer and exporter to a net importer with the sale of its Rosslyn operations. The Tekton would be the first new model offered to South Africa under this new arrangement.
In an increasingly competitive compact and family crossover segment, the Tekton is positioned to stand out rather than follow the conventional crowd; the range-topping 1.3T Tekna+ aims to deliver a premium interior, bold design cues, and punchy turbocharged performance in a daily-driver package. We spent a week behind the wheel of the flagship 2026 Nissan Tekton 1.3T Tekna+ to see if it lives up to the hype and whether it is any better than its Renault Duster sibling, which shares its platform and powertrains.
Quick Specs Summary Table
| Feature | Specification |
| Model | Nissan Tekton 1.3T Tekna+ (2026) |
| Engine | 1.3-litre 4-cylinder Turbo Petrol |
| Power/Torque | 113 kW / 260 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DCT (FWD) |
| 0-100 km/h | 9.89 seconds |
| Fuel Economy (Claimed) | 6.3 L/100 km |
| Boot Capacity | 518 L – 1 789 L |
| Warranty | 6-Year / 150 000 km |
| Service Plan | 4-Year / 60 000 km |
Styling
The Tekton takes strong visual inspiration from its big brother, the Patrol. Up front, it commands a proud, confident stance featuring a bold grille, prominent model lettering across the hood, and distinctive C-shaped LED headlights with an integrated light bar.
Along the profile, crisp character lines, subtle side air vents, roof rails, and 18" diamond-cut alloy wheels housed under sculpted wheel arches give it an assertive silhouette. Around the back, the wide-stance bumper, full-width LED rear lighting element, and subtle rear spoiler round off an unmistakably modern look. You can choose from dual-tone exterior paint options, such as our test unit's Moonbow Grey paired with an Onyx Black roof, which further elevates its street presence.
Space & Comfort
Step inside the cabin, and the Tekton immediately feels expansive and thoughtfully designed. Interior dimensions cater to generous head and legroom for front and rear passengers alike. When it comes to practical utility, the Tekton excels:
- Boot Space (Parcel Shelf): 518 litres
- Boot Space (To Roof): 700 litres
- Utility Space (Seats Folded): Up to 1 789 litres
Whether doing the weekly grocery run, loading sports gear, or packing for a long road trip, the boot's versatility makes light work of family duties.
Comfort & Features
As the top-tier flagship in the lineup, the Tekna+ grade leaves very little on the options list. The cabin is upholstered in synthetic leather (PVC) with two-tone options, such as Beige & Burgundy in our test unit. Some people find it an acquired taste.
Key cabin highlights include:
- Seating & Climate: 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, front ventilated seats (driver & passenger), dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear air-conditioning vents with flow adjustment.
- Infotainment & Connectivity: A crisp 10.1" central touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, coupled with an Arkamys Auditorium 6-speaker sound system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and dual rear USB ports.
- Driver Cockpit: A full 10.25" TFT digital driver display cluster, multi-colour ambient lighting, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an electric panoramic sunroof with an electric shade cover.
- Convenience: Approach Unlock & Walk-Away Lock keyless entry, front refrigerated storage compartment, and an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold.
The Drive
On the road, the Nissan Tekton offers an elevated, relaxed driving position with clear all-around visibility. The suspension setup is calibrated for compliance over varied South African road conditions. It absorbs speed bumps, rutted tarmac, and potholes with confidence. The MultiSense drive modes (Eco, Comfort, and Perso) allow drivers to tailor steering weight and throttle response. Manoeuvring through congested city streets or tight parking slots is effortless thanks to the 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor (360-degree camera system) paired with front and rear parking sensors.
Where the Tekton falls afoul is in the throttle and DCT transmission programming. It is geared for open-road cruising and dislikes bumper-to-bumper traffic that doesn't exceed 45km/h. The transmission is constantly trying to upshift, and when you are inching along in traffic, it results in constant gear hunting. If you don't sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic regularly and spend most of your drive time on free-flowing freeways, the Tekton is truly impressive.
Performance & Fuel Economy
Under the hood of the Tekna+ sits a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, mated to a smooth-shifting 6-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) with a wet clutch and fly-by-wire e-Shifter.
Key Performance Figures:
- Engine: 1 333 cc 4-Cylinder Turbo Petrol
- Power Output: 113 kW @ 5 250 r/min
- Torque: 260 Nm @ 3 500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed DCT (Front-Wheel Drive)
- 0–100 km/h Acceleration: 9.89 seconds
- Top Speed: 198 km/h
- Claimed Combined Fuel Consumption: 6.3 L/100 km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 Litres
The 260 Nm of torque delivers eager mid-range punch, making overtaking on open highways crisp and predictable. While Nissan claims an average fuel consumption of 6.3 L/100 km, real-world mixed driving typically yields figures around 7.1 to 7.5 L/100 km.
Safety
Nissan hasn't skimped on safety, equipping the Tekton 1.3T Tekna+ with a comprehensive suite of passive structural features and advanced active driver assistance systems (ADAS):
- Airbags & Structural Safety: 6 airbags (front, side, and full curtain), Electronic Stability Control (ESC/ESP), ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
- Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS):
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW) & Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW with steering vibration) & Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
- Hill Start Assist (HSA) & Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Price
| Nissan Tekton 1.0T T160 Visia | R 339 999 |
| Nissan Tekton 1.3T T260 Visia | R 399 999 |
| Nissan Tekton 1.3T T260 Acenta | R 459 999 |
| Nissan Tekton 1.3T T260 Tekna | R 499 999 |
| Nissan Tekton 1.3T T260 Tekna+ | R 529 999 |
*All Nissan Tekton models are sold with Nissan's 6 Year / 150 000km warranty and 4 Year / 60 000km service plan.
Key Competitors:
The Tekton 1.3T Tekna+ enters a fiercely contested market segment, going toe-to-toe with established rivals such as:
- Hyundai Creta / Kia Seltos
- Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
- Haval Jolion Pro
- Toyota Corolla Cross
Verdict
The Tekton is a compelling, well-rounded entry into the crossover segment. It successfully marries appealing exterior styling with genuine practical space, rich interior creature comforts, and punchy 1.3-litre turbocharged performance. Add in top-tier ADAS safety tech, a 360-degree camera system, and Nissan's robust 6-year/150 000 km warranty, and the Tekna+ offers an attractive package for modern family buyers. We'd recommend adding it to your test-drive list when shopping in this segment. It is so similar to its Duster sibling that it may come down to brand preference, or which model's styling and interior upholstery options you prefer.
