The Nexon made its debut as a prototype exhibited at the New Delhi Motor Show in 2014. The final model was presented in 2016. It is Tata's first crossover SUV.

The Nexon is based on the revised Tata X1 platform debuted in 1998 with the Indica model and adopted by other Indian brand cars. It uses independent MacPherson dual-path strut with coil spring front suspensions and rear twist-beam with coil spring and shock absorber. The wheelbase is measured at 2,498 mm (98.3 in). It is characterised by two-tone paint, LED headlamps and large chrome bands along the side.

The engines are developed by Tata Motors and Austrian engineering company AVL: the petrol engine is the 1.2 L Revotron three-cylinder turbo12-valve that delivers 82 kW (110 hp; 111 PS) and 170 N⋅m (125 lbf⋅ft) of maximum torque combined with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission; the diesel engine is a 1.5 L Revotorq four-cylinder common rail 16-valve that delivers 82 kW (110 hp; 111 PS) and 260 N⋅m (192 lbf⋅ft) of maximum torque, also paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The automatic versions have 3 different driving settings. In 2018, Tata added a panoramic sunroof option.

Despite being presented in February 2016, production at the Fiat India Ranjangaon plant started in July 2017 and sales in India started since September of the same year. As of December 2018, Tata Motors has not exported the car outside India. The company has not confirmed if the car will be exported to Europe either. In August 2018 the 50.000 Nexon rolled out of the factory.