The Nissan Magnite is proof that sometimes the middle ground is where the real value lies. Not shouting for attention with fancy gimmicks more than enough real estate inside, it delivers an intuitive drive experience with just enough feature set for the price. With strong export momentum and cool additions like UV-resistant leatherette seats and a soft-touch dashboard, Nissan’s smallest SUV makes a quietly convincing case.
Compact Yet Looks Confident
Visually, Magnite’s jaunty design looks good in the flesh. This new one has subtle design upgrades to make it look more premium. Honestly, the front chrome elements look a bit tacky, but the new tail lamps look excellent. The bi-projector LED headlamps and L-shaped LED DRLs that offer road presence despite its compact footprint. The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels are good lookers. Fat in the profile too, so they can take some beating from rough roads.
The rear profile is relatively simple but neatly executed. The roof rails and functional skid plates add a layer of ruggedness, though the Magnite is best seen as an urban SUV rather than an off-road-focused product, although the 205mm ground clearance should help you on trails.
Cabin Ergonomics
Magnite stands out in how it blends functionality with sensible touches. The soft-touch material on the dashboard feels premium for the price, complemented by the UV-resistant leatherette seat upholstery which not only improves comfort but is an important inclusion for India’s sun-soaked driving conditions. The carefully positioned front seats offer a commanding view of the road with a visibility angle of 35.4 degrees, and the elevated seating position adds to driver confidence.
Step Inside the cabin and you can see how Nissan has prioritised usability. Features like the rear AC vents, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a PM2.5 air purifier, and ambient mood lighting are all present to enhance convenience. Rear seat space is adequate for two adults and a child, while the 336-litre boot adds practical flexibility for urban and occasional highway runs. The boot lip is high though, you will really have to put your back in it to place heavy luggage.
Fair Driving Experience
The one we’re driving here is the turbo petrol engine paired with the CVT gearbox, which continues to be the most compelling variant in the compact SUV’s portfolio. Producing 98.6 bhp of maximum power and 152 Nm of peak torque, the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is well-suited for city and highway use in terms of output. While outright performance remains modest compared to some segment rivals, the strength of this configuration lies in its linear power delivery and overall smoothness, especially for urban use. The manual transmission variant gets about 8 Nm more making it a bit sprightlier.
Unlike the jerky response that can plague small AMT units, the Magnite’s CVT transmission is well-calibrated. It delivers consistent acceleration despite the initial rubber-band lag, but overall the CVT responds predictably in crawling traffic. In fact, the turbo-CVT pairing masks the limitations of the modestly sized engine well, making this variant ideal for buyers prioritising refinement over performance thrills. The naturally aspirated versions produce 71 bhp and 96 Nm, and you can pick a manual or AMT transmission. They may be down on power, but will be able to return better fuel efficiency figures.
The ride is decent as well, and handles potholes and large bumps with ease. It is a tall car so yes, there is body roll. But to an extent it is able to manage higher highway speeds. The addition of cruise control may be a big positive for some drivers out there. It is the fast corners where the Magnite sort of gives up. Chuck it around quick bends and the Magnite protests. Also the braking is disappointing, both in terms of bite and feedback. There were a few close shaves around town, Nissan should really spend more money on brakes.
Features & Market Fit
Across the variant lineup, Nissan offers a wide spread of features, right from the basic from INR 6.14 lakh to top of the queue at INR 11.76 lakh (ex-showroom). Higher trims include a 360-degree camera, 8-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a digital instrument cluster. Nissan’s AMT automatic for the naturally aspirated engine widens the appeal for budget buyers, while the CVT-equipped turbo variant caters to those seeking a bit more poke from their engines.
What keeps the Magnite relevant in a competitive market is this mix of practicality and affordability. It does not try to out-muscle rivals in any single metric but instead offers a well-rounded ownership proposition that works across urban and semi-urban segments.
Export-Focused, Locally Attuned
The Magnite is also Nissan’s central pillar of its global compact car strategy. Built at the Renault-Nissan Alliance plant in Chennai, the Magnite is exported to over 15 countries, with export volumes now crossing 50,000 units. The recently introduced E20-compliant powertrains have further enhanced its global readiness.
Nissan has cleverly positioned the Magnite to meet both domestic and international expectations. While Indian variants focus on value-for-money and affordability, export units are tailored to comply with diverse regulatory and climate standards. The Nissan Magnite is a smart balancing act. It doesn’t pretend to be the sportiest or most spacious compact SUV, but it scores in ease of driving, accessible features and thoughtful design.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
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