Nissan's Baby Armada Will Have True Blue Collar Roots

1 month, 3 weeks ago - 13 October 2025, carbuzz

The Nissan Armada has long been the brand's SUV of choice for serious off-roading. Known as the Patrol in most markets, it's the go-to for desert climbs and sand dune crossings across the Middle East. Last year, the full-size Armada received a new-generation update, while the red-tinged Nismo followed a few months ago for the 2026 model year.

But as the flagship evolves, Nissan is looking to extend that DNA to a smaller, more attainable model. Enter the Tekton – a compact SUV inspired by the Patrol and Armada, but built for a very different audience.

A Rebadged Dacia Duster – And That's Okay
Sharing its underpinnings with the Duster – and by extension, with Renault and even Lada models – works in the Tekton's favor. The Duster enjoys a reputation in Europe and South America as a capable and affordable off-roader. That gives the Tekton legitimate capability credentials despite its compact size. So while it may be affectionately dubbed the "baby Armada," this one is no city pretender. It's likely to offer the same confidence off the beaten path, only scaled down for narrower roads and smaller garages.

The name "Tekton" originates from the Greek term for "craftsman" or "architect," which Nissan claims to align with its "ethos of precision engineering and innovation that enriches lives." The Japanese marque says the Tekton's styling draws inspiration from the Patrol's muscular proportions. Other details from the early images show an LED light bar stretching across the tailgate, a design motif that we see in the latest iteration of the Patrol/Armada full-size SUV.

A Global Model To Be First Sold In India
Although designed primarily for the Indian market, the Tekton is not limited to a single market. Built at the Renault-Nissan Alliance plant in Chennai, it will also serve as an export model for select global regions. Launch is scheduled for mid-2026, and further details, including engine options and pricing, will be revealed closer to that date. For now, we expect the same turbocharged 1.0-liter and 1.3-liter gasoline units from the Duster, with hybrid variants potentially to follow.

The Tekton's debut comes as Toyota toys with the idea of a compact off-roader of its own, which we affectionately call the baby FJ Cruiser or baby Land Cruiser. Several reports have been circulating, though recent patent submissions do suggest a boxy SUV. That said, the market for affordable off-roaders is something worth watching out for in the years to come.