DRIVEN: Updated Nissan Magnite SUV spruces up the segment
Nissan’s Magnite has been the mainstay of its local sales for a while now with regular monthly sales surpassing 800 units making it one of the most popular in the cluttered compact SUV segment.
Globally more than 150,000 of them have found owners, 26,000 of those are local, and the company is confident that with the introduction of a left hand drive version for Africa the trend will continue.
First introduced in 2021 it has now received a facelift that should find favour with potential buyers.
Three variations are available; Visia Acenta and Acenta Plus and the entire range is manufactured in India.
There are again two engine options with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder normally aspirated mill producing 53kW and 96Nm paired to a five-speed manual or automated manual (AMT) transmission.
If you’re looking at this option, rather opt for the manual, especially at altitude.
The second option is the same engine that’s turbocharged with 74kW and 160Nm coupled to a five-speed manual ‘box or CVT transmission.
Externally the front receives a wider grille with black components flowing into chrome edging and the LED headlights, the skidplate is more striking while the rear gets new LED light clusters with a unique lighting signature.
The entry level Visia stands on 16-inch steelies while the rest of the range including the Acenta Plus we drove on launch in Cape Town rides on new 16-inch diamond cut alloys.
The interior of the Acenta Plus has virtually no exposed plastic with most areas covered in soft-touch leatherette giving it a pleasant premium feel.
This is accentuated by the new and very comfortable quilted two-tone leather seats fitted with Heat Guard technology that disperses heat keeping the cabin cooler on hot days.
Additional features include cruise control, walk-away door locking, cooled centre storage unit, 360 degree surround view monitor, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, a configurable digital TFT driver’s display and four colour ambient lighting options.
A nifty feature is remote engine start that allows you to start the engine so that it can either cool down or warm up before you drive away.
There’s a very decent ARKAMYS 3D system with six speakers via the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s easy to use with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and decent quality graphics.
I was impressed by the 336-litres of boot space that managed to swallow four people’s overnight and laptop bags as well as a rather large holder for the official photographer filled with heavy equipment.
After adjusting our seating there was enough room for the four of us albeit a little cramped in the rear.
It obviously had an effect on the performance of the little engine but not so much that it struggled to cope.
You’re not going to be tearing around town obviously but it easily traversed over some steep inclines.
Nissan has also done some work on the CVT and it’s one of the better ones delivering smooth and linear performance. At high revs there is some whine in the cabin and takes a while before picking up speed but considering the Magnite’s application it’s not likely to be doing a lot of high speed manoeuvring.
Tweaks to the suspension make for a comfortable and composed ride even with four up. Granted, it was in the Cape so bad roads are few and far between but I reckon it should be a match for unmaintained Gauteng roads.
Noise Vibration and Harshness(NVH) levels are fairly decent and I suspect more pliable tyres could make an even bigger difference.
Steering is light and the Magnite is easy to chuck around while getting into tight parking bays is easily done.
Safety is taken care of with six airbags, ABS, EBD, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Hydraulic Brake Assist and a Tyre Pressure Monitor.
While the Nissan Magnite contests in a popular and cluttered environment there’s much to like about it and the upgrades come at a time when more manufacturers are vying for a slice of the pie.
It’s a decent (and popular) offering and I suspect will still be a go-to for local buyers.
The Magnite comes with a three-year/30 000km service plan and a six-year/150 000km warranty.
Nissan Magnite 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 90
Magnite Turbo
- 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