“Nissan’s upcoming Tekton compact SUV, teased ahead of its 2026 debut, combines rugged SUV styling with modern design cues inspired by the Patrol.” Picture credit: Car Source
By Aisha Zardad
Nissan has officially revealed the name of its upcoming compact SUV — the Nissan Tekton — and released the first teaser images ahead of its global debut in 2026.
The India-built Tekton will be positioned above the popular Magnite and is expected to arrive in South Africa soon after launch. Nissan says the newcomer’s design cues draw heavily from the next-generation Patrol, which is also scheduled for local introduction in 2026.
Nissan’s Corporate Executive, Alfonso Albaisa, described the Tekton as a bold step for the brand.
“The all-new Nissan Tekton draws its design inspiration from our legendary Nissan Patrol. It is designed to disrupt, dominate, and deliver everything today’s modern consumer desires. Imposing, stylish, and built to set a new benchmark in India and beyond, the design and build quality are distinctly Nissan – embodying the best of Nissan’s SUV DNA.”
The front end sports C-shaped LED headlamps and a rugged lower bumper, while the side profile features a distinctive Double-C door accent with a subtle mountain-range pattern inspired by the Himalayas. At the rear, a full-width light bar stretches across the tailgate, mirrored by bold Tekton lettering front and back.
Built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-B platform, the Tekton shares its underpinnings with the upcoming third-generation Renault Duster. As a result, it is expected to measure roughly 4 343 mm long and 1 921 mm wide, making it a strong contender in the competitive compact-SUV segment. While Nissan has not yet revealed the interior, the automaker confirmed that a modern, tech-rich cabin will form part of the package.
Production will take place at Nissan’s Chennai plant in India. The Tekton is the second model in Nissan’s global “One Car, One World” strategy and will launch first in India before being exported to selected international markets.
