The Nissan Tekton launches at a time when the brand needs more products to remain competitive in the South African market. Built on the same platform as the much-loved Renault Duster, the Tekton aims to fill the gap between the Magnite and the X-Trail left by the recently departed Qashqai. Has the Tekton done enough to differentiate itself from its Renault sibling?
It’s difficult to review the new Tekton without considering the third-generation Renault Duster. Because both vehicles share the same platform, engines, most of their design, interiors and underlying technologies, choosing between them can be tough for consumers. Both offer essentially the same driving experience, with the primary differences coming down to styling tweaks.
Read more: Nissan Tekton (2026) Price & Specs
How does it look?
The Tekton is a good-looking vehicle. It blends rugged styling cues with sleek lines, creating an athletic profile that suggests it can tackle off-roading with ease. Adding to this rugged persona is an impressive 212 mm of ground clearance. Sadly, the Tekton only comes in a front-wheel-drive configuration. Realistically, you’ll only be able to tackle light gravel roads in this crossover – which is a pity because it really looks the part.
Nissan has tried its best to give the Tekton a distinct personality by redesigning the front end. It features bold, aggressive styling with a silver skid-plate-style bumper opening into a wide grille that seamlessly integrates the LED headlights. A light bar stretches across the front edge of the bonnet, further modernising the nose.
The side profile and rear are where you see the Duster DNA seeping through most, although the Tekton again utilises a full-width LED light bar across the tailgate. Touches of silver trim on the rear bumper give the Nissan a chic flair that the Duster perhaps lacks.
What’s the inside of the Tekton like?
The interior is a pleasant place to be. The front seats are supportive and substantial, while the facia cleanly integrates a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster, creating a modern, tech-focused feel. Nissan hasn’t shied away from adding colour, either – you’ll find rose-gold accents around the centre console, steering wheel and door panels.
In the back, those chunky front seats do steal a bit of legroom, but three rear passengers can still sit comfortably, provided they aren’t too tall. Boot space sits at a healthy 518 litres, making family road trips a genuine possibility.
How does it drive?
On the road, the Tekton feels pretty much identical to the Duster. The suspension damping leans toward the firmer side, but in a good way: it allows the Tekton to handle corners with confidence while still remaining forgiving enough to spare your back on longer journeys.
Two engines are on offer: a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder producing 74 kW and 160 Nm (badged as the T160), and a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 115 kW and 260 Nm (badged as the T260). Four trim levels are available, ranging from the entry-level Visia and mid-tier Acenta to the top-spec Tekna and Tekna+ variants. Pricing spans R339 999 to R529 999.
Final thoughts
What would make a consumer buy the Nissan over the Renault? This is where personal preference comes into play. Thankfully, due to the design changes of the Nissan, the vehicles don’t look exactly the same. What it would really boil down to is resale value. Renault sells more cars than Nissan locally by roughly 1 000 units a month. This means there will likely be more demand for the cars like the Duster compared to the Tekton. For this reason, we would advise a consumer to always opt for the more popular car for better resale value. That being said, the Tekton is a great crossover to consider.
Read more: Renault Duster (2026) Review
