Launch review: new Nissan Magnite

The original Nissan Magnite made its appearance in South Africa in 2020, in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic. It wasn’t necessarily the best time to launch a new vehicle, but this compact SUV exceeded everyone’s expectations. In fact, it was so popular that it has been in the top three sellers of that market segment ever since.

Nissan has just revealed the latest version of the Magnite and it promises to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps in terms of sales success. Not only does it boast a refreshed exterior design, but also a bunch of technological upgrades and a fancy new interior.

Power and performance

There are nine models in the Magnite range, all powered by a three-cylinder 999cc engine. Five of the models have a normally aspirated engine and the rest boast a turbocharged version of the same powerplant. The former produces 74kW and 152Nm – figures that are considerably better than those of the previous Magnite. In addition, the fuel consumption of the newcomer is also slightly better at 5.27 litres/100km. The Magnite is available with a manual transmission, so-called automated manual transmission and CVT.

Performance is quite decent for a vehicle with a small engine, but the Magnite is never going to win any races. It’s the perfect ride for city dwellers who enjoy the odd road trip or exploring along lesser-known routes. We did just that about two years ago when the previous Magnite participated in our compact SUV adventure. Handling is good and thanks to the design and setup of the suspension, the ride is quite comfortable.

A great new look

As for its appearance, the guys at Nissan took everything that was good about the previous Magnite and made it even better. The newcomer looks like a true SUV, but in compact form. The most obvious change is the front, where a wider grille shows off a trendy design for the light and black trims. The front skid plate is also more prominent than before. New 16-inch alloy wheels for certain models complete the design.

The interior of the Magnite is also refreshingly new, especially in the Acenta Plus, which is the top model. The highlight is the orange and black colour scheme used throughout. The seats – also orange and black – are particularly comfortable and the material used is of such a nature that it does not absorb heat. So, you’re not going to burn your bum when you get in after your vehicle has been in the hot summer sun for a while.

Specification levels

There are three specification levels in the range – Visia, Acenta and Acenta Plus. All the models boast, among other things, six airbags, stability control, automatic air conditioning, tyre pressure sensors and roof rails.

Acenta models gain front LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights, an 8-inch touchscreen for the information and entertainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alloy wheels and an air purification system. The Acenta Plus is additionally equipped with two-tone leather seats, a leather steering wheel, cruise control and cameras all around.

The Magnite falls in the same market segment as the Toyota Starlet Cross, Suzuki Fronx, Citroën C3 Aircross, Hyundai Exter and Mahindra XUV 3X0. That’s some tough competition and the new Nissan will have to come out swinging if it wants to remain a top seller.

Grade walk

Visia:

  • 6 airbags (front, side and curtain airbags)
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control
  • Rear Parking Sensors
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sensors
  • Electrically adjustable and foldable side mirrors
  • Speed-sensing lock with child lock and impact-sensing unlocking
  • Multi-function steering controls
  • Automatic air-conditioning
  • Shark fin antenna
  • 16-inch steel wheels with wheel cover
  • Roof rails

Acenta:

  • All the features of the Visia, and
  • Display Audio – 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with floating design
  • Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Frameless auto-dimming mirror
  • Front LED fog lamps
  • LED daytime running lights
  • Approach unlock and walk-away locking
  • Keyless start/stop
  • 7-inch TFT information screen
  • 16-inch alloy wheels with two-tone design
  • Plasma air purifier
  • LED headlamps

Acenta Plus:

  • Two-tone leather seats with special heat-resistant coatings
  • All of the features of the Acenta, and
  • Around View Monitor – four-camera array with bird’s eye view camera angles
  • Remote starting (on the CVT model only)
  • Leather Steering wheel
  • Cruise control with speed limiter (CVT only)

Model line-up and pricing

  • Magnite 1.0 Visia (MT): R246 200
  • Magnite 1.0 Acenta (MT): R277 300
  • Magnite 1.0 Visia (AMT): R263 200
  • Magnite 1.0 Acenta (AMT): R294 400
  • Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus (AMT): R323 900
  • Magnite 1.0T Visia (MT): R309 700
  • Magnite 1.0 Acenta (MT): R340 100
  • Magnite 1.0 Acenta (CVT): R370 500

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

You might also like

Safari San: The hardest-working Suzuki Jimny on the planet

Safari San isn’t just any Suzuki Jimny—it’s a legend. With 150,000km of African expeditions under its belt and zero breakdowns, this unstoppable 4×4 proves that even the smallest adventure vehicle can conquer the wild. From the dunes of the Namib to the rugged trails of the Serengeti, Safari San continues to lead the way. Read the full story of the hardest-working Jimny on the planet!

Read More »

Safari San: The hardest-working Suzuki Jimny on the planet

Safari San isn’t just any Suzuki Jimny—it’s a legend. With 150,000km of African expeditions under its belt and zero breakdowns, this unstoppable 4×4 proves that even the smallest adventure vehicle can conquer the wild. From the dunes of the Namib to the rugged trails of the Serengeti, Safari San continues to lead the way. Read the full story of the hardest-working Jimny on the planet!

Read More »