Tata Osprey 1.2T Creative+ PS (2026) Review

Pros

• Good perceived value for money
• Slick infotainment and sound system
• Panoramic roof

Cons

• Frustrating gearbox programming
• Poor quality control
• Sub-par ergonomics

Related: Tata Osprey First Drive Review (Video)

Budget vehicles always give us more to analyse and write about than premium products. When a manufacturer builds a vehicle to a certain price point, they invariably have to make a few sacrifices along the way. These are easier to spot the cheaper the offering is. Throw into this mix the public’s demand for a certain level of safety and functionality, and some basics end up suffering. Sadly, this is where the well-equipped, safe, but flawed Tata Osprey finds itself.

Styling

The Tata Osprey is known as the Nexon in its homeland, India, and is a compact crossover SUV with a high-riding stance and modern styling elements. The 208 mm ground clearance is a boon for the pockmarked, unkempt South African roads, but it does make the Osprey look a little ungainly and top-heavy. 

Wheel arch cladding and a silver bash plate-style trim on the lower half of the front bumper give the Osprey off-road credence, while the gloss-black upper section of the bodywork and sharp, angular lines of the front end keep it looking modern and city-smart. The panoramic sunroof will undoubtedly be a hit with South African consumers.

The fit and finish are questionable, though. Clearly visible discrepancies in body panel gaps and ill-fitting trim pieces may not be a problem from 30 m away, but up close, they're hard to ignore. The poorly aligned bonnet, sloppy fuel filler flap fitment, and plastic sections of the rear doors that bend outward indicate a lack of quality control in the Osprey. Our week with the Tata also saw the aforementioned wheel-arch cladding come loose from the body.

Interior and Technology

The lack of refinement carries over to the interior as well. A wash of hard plastics awaits occupants with very few soft-touch elements. Even the steering wheel of this range-topping trim is an injection-moulded polyurethane item with the sprues poorly levelled off. Stick a hand into the door card at your own peril with sharp, unfinished flashing ready to slice up a finger or three. The same is seen when looking into the air vent inserts.

The Tata Osprey also falls short in the comfort stakes, with ergonomics that will tire you out, seats lacking in lumbar support, and a steering wheel that lacks reach adjustment.

Where the Osprey saves itself is with the execution of technology. A great infotainment system is paired with an impressive sound system that punches well above its weight. The wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect quickly and securely, and the wireless charger is one of the best we’ve ever encountered, charging your phone quickly without overheating.

This comes at a price, though, and that costs you cup holders, of which there are exactly zero. You get a bottle slot on the dangerous door card, as well as an umbrella holder, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve used a travel mug more often than I've used an umbrella. The centre console, where the 12V outlet and two USB ports are located, requires a doctorate in proctology to access.

Related: How does the Geely Coolray compare to the Tata Osprey?

Performance

Underneath the bonnet of the Tata Osprey is an 88 kW and 170 Nm 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine. This is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox that drives the front wheels. This combination is designed for stop-and-go traffic, with thermal control and a self-cleaning feature. We found the opposite, though: the gear-change programming and throttle calibration made commuting less than desirable. The initial delay in the throttle response and the subsequent rapid change-up in the gears would often leave the traffic ahead of you. 

Driving Impression

Tata has programmed the gearbox to shift up earlier than it should, evidently in a bid to improve fuel consumption, but this change occurs a fraction of a moment after the turbocharger starts working, and it drops the revs to where it doesn’t. This creates a pulsating driving experience when the throttle is held at around 15%. 

The high-riding nature may give you the clearance you want, but at the cost of the road manners. While not particularly alarming when commuting - in fact, we found the Osprey to be fairly comfortable - it was not exactly what one would call confidence-inspiring through the bends. Any slight undulation would unsettle the rear end, especially when unweighted.

Fuel Consumption

Tata claims a combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.3 L/100km for the Osprey Creative+ PS. In and around town, the Osprey was a little heavy, returning figures of 10.0 l/100km, but this changed when hitting the open road. Strict highway use saw us achieve 5.1 L/100km, eventually averaging 6.6 L/100km over the test period. 

The 44-litre fuel tank will thus give you a claimed range of 698 km from a full tank.

Safety

The Osprey presents a sensible value proposition in its safety rating. Fitted with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction Control, Stability Control, Blind Spot monitoring, Surround View Camera, and parking sensors, it offers a comprehensive Global NCAP 5-star rating.

It is fitted with seatbelt reminders and ISOFIX child seat mountings.

Pricing

The Tata Osprey range starts from as little as R249,900 for the Smart+ manual, which would do away with many of the drivetrain complaints we have, and rounds off with the range-topping Creative+ PS model that we drive at R329,900.

It is sold with a 5-year / 125,000 km warranty and a 3-year / 45,000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 15,000 / 12 months.

Verdict

Reviewing the specifications and safety promises on paper makes one think that the Tata Osprey is the pick of the litter compared to its direct price-range competitors like the Suzuki Fronx, Kia Sonet, Renault Kiger, and the new Nissan Tekton. In fact, this segment and price range sees buyers spoiled for choice, and that makes it a far tougher sell in South Africa than it is in India, where the Osprey (in Nexon guise) is a popular choice.

The Osprey has too many shortcomings for me to recommend it as a sensible purchase. If they’re willing to cut corners where everyone can see, I can’t help but wonder what cost-saving measures have been taken where people can’t see.

It has a few attractive features that will likely draw buyers into showrooms, and only discerning buyers will detect the drivetrain quirks; most will be fine with it. I can only employ those who are keen on the Osprey to test drive the competitors as well.