The new Nissan Magnite has gone on sale in SA. The Japanese crossover debuted in this market back in 2021 and has gone on to become a local favourite, with more than 25,000 units finding homes.
In the last three years the company has applied incremental upgrades to the range, including special models such as the Red Edition and Kuro. Nissan has also announced it will add a new Magnite panel van derivative to the catalogue soon.
The latest raft of changes is comprehensive and begin with a restyled front bumper with a wider grille and thicker chrome band surround, new front and rear bumper skid plates, LED projector headlamps, dual tone alloy wheels and a full LED rear light cluster with honeycomb design.
It is available with a new Copper orange hue that’s closely related to the Katsura orange of the high-performance Nissan GT-R.
There are three trim levels — Visia, Acenta and Acenta Plus — and nine models on offer. The entry level Magnite rides on 16-inch wheels but is well stocked with six airbags, rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitor, vehicle dynamic control, electrically adjustable and foldable side mirrors, multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning and roof rails.
The Acenta adds an eight-inch touch-operated infotainment system, Wi-Fi and wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multifunction steering wheel, front fog lamps, keyless start/stop and an air purifier. The Acenta Plus brings new and fabulous looking two-tone leatherette seats, surround view monitor, remote starting on the CVT model and cruise control.
Nissan offers normally-aspirated and turbocharged 1.0l three-cylinder petrol engines driving the front wheels. Power is rated at 53kW/96Nm with a fuel consumption claim of 5.9l/100km for the entry engine, which is available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automated manual transmission.
At the media launch this week I spent the day exploring inner city Cape Town in the Acenta Plus models that are equipped with a turbocharged motor delivering a more spirited 74kW and 152Nm output. It’s a good motor with quiet operation thanks to the range wide upgrades to noise, vibration and harshness systems.
The engine has satisfying low-end response and the power delivery is not constricted, meaning you never need to keep on sinking the accelerator to get it to climb up steep roads. The continuously variable transmission matched the conditions, playing perfect mate to make urban travel effortless.
We didn’t get to drive on the highway, where I’d be curious to know how droney it gets and if it can match the quoted 5.2l/100km fuel consumption average.
It’s a cushy drive and spacious enough for a family, with a 300l boot that comfortably swallowed luggage for four adults.
The updated Magnite arrives on the scene at a time when rival manufacturers in the segment are trying to find ways to be as attractive as possible with their offerings, forced by an onslaught of flashy, sometimes larger and more affordable, Chinese alternatives.
It certainly affords the trending raised driving position, usable practicality and interesting looks at still approachable prices on some of the models. All new Nissan Magnite models are sold with a three-year/30,000km service plan and six-year/150,000km warranty.
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
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus (CVT) — R410,700
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