Nissan Magnite review Autocar India test drive

The Magnite is meant to give Nissan India a substantially need shot in the arm.

Dilemma is, are we comparing apples with apples right here? Is Nissan’s Magnite just as accomplished as the competitors in other locations, or is it a case of finding a little bit a lot less car for a good deal a lot less funds? Let us set Nissan’s make-or-crack merchandise, the Magnite, under the microscope. 

Nissan Magnite structure and styling

It certainly seems to be the element. The tall stance and generous 205mm of floor clearance give it a real SUV vibe. The big chunky wheel arches and sixteen-inch wheels offer a lot of definition, and the Magnite also has a reasonably stand-up cabin for that all-crucial SUV silhouette. The thick ‘C’ pillar is properly sculpted, the distinction roof and significant ‘split’ rear spoiler seems to be incredibly upmarket, and Nissan has even utilised a chrome spotlight along the doors incredibly effectively. Even the two-tone cladding at the rear is impressively set with each other.

The Magnite has the all-crucial SUV silhouette.

The Datsun grille, built-in into the structure of the nose, does level to the fact that this compact SUV began lifetime under Nissan’s small-price tag manufacturer, but right here much too there are a lot of intriguing prospers and facts. The dagger-like headlights are neat, the ‘L’ shaped LEDs stand out, and there are a pair of desirable ridges on the bonnet much too. Whilst the cladding in normal is set with each other with fantastic precision and the roof rails are also properly built, a several hard-to-disregard panel gaps do exist, in particular all-around the space of the bonnet and the hatch at the rear.

Nissan Magnite system

The Nissan Magnite is built on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-A+ system. Larger sized and evidently extra sizeable than the frequent CMF-A system that underpins the Datsun Redigo and the Renault Kwid, the ‘+’ is substantially wider, extra robustly set with each other and more time in beam. The initially car to be built on the CMF-A+ was Renault’s Triber, and the Nissan Magnite will be followed by Renault’s very own compact SUV, the Kiger. Constructed on a 2,500mm wheelbase, par for the training course when it comes to compact SUVs, the Magnite is, nonetheless, marginally narrower than all other people in this course, at 1,758mm. The Magnite’s entrance suspension arm has been optimised for increased security, there’s a new trailing arm setup at the rear, and to counter the 205mm of floor clearance, there’s also a new anti-roll bar.

sixteen-inch twin-tone alloys wheels shod in 195/sixty R16 tyres.

Nissan Magnite 1. turbo efficiency

With its mechanical torque converter outfitted CVT or X-Tronic gearbox, a balanced 100hp and only 1,039kg to press all-around, the computerized-outfitted Magnite turbo is the decide on of the selection. The three-cylinder engine does have a lumpy idle, partly owing to its gentle engine mounts, and a little bit of vibration filters into the cabin, much too, but just take off from rest and the engine smoothens up properly. What makes driving the CVT model specially nice is that it responds to a faucet on the throttle rather well. This makes driving it in targeted visitors sense specially effortless press down a little bit more durable, say to overtake, and acceleration improves in a linear fashion much too. In fact, at small and medium engine speeds, you really don’t truly put up with much too substantially of the dreaded rubber band impact.

The Magnite’s 1.-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 100hp, which is enough for this 1,039kg SUV.

Even so, pull the CVT-outfitted Magnite more durable, and with extra resolve, and the stretch and pressure of the pulleys and belts can be felt. Now the increase in efficiency is no more time in sync with the increase in engine velocity, and whilst the gearbox does change in measures, the rubber band impact is evident.

Pick ‘Sport’ on the equipment lever, which sharpens the CVT with distinct measures to mimic equipment ratios, and you can right away convey to there is extra punch and efficiency, with the CVT hanging onto a ratio instead than a fixed engine velocity.

At small and medium engine speeds, the rubber band impact just isn’t truly felt. 

There are no paddles, nonetheless, and there’s no manual intervention, but with the help of an intense just take off, the Magnite CVT did manage to do the -100kph sprint in twelve.8sec. No direct comparison can be built, as this speedy exam was not done to Autocar benchmarks nonetheless, for reference, the Venue 1. turbo DCT will take 11.9sec to 100kph. Whilst the gap remains equivalent when kickdown acceleration is examined from twenty-80kph, the Magnite is substantially nearer when 40-100kph periods are in contrast.  

Activity method assists the CVT gearbox keep on to ratios more time.

The five-velocity manual outfitted Magnite 1. turbo is a honest little bit more quickly from the clock. Once more, acceleration periods are not to Autocar benchmarks, but for now, the manual provisionally did the -100kph sprint in an remarkable 11.16sec. That is more quickly than the XUV300, Ford EcoSport and also the Venue 1. manual, which will take 11.24sec to 100. The 1. turbo engine with the manual gearbox does get 160Nm of torque, versus 152Nm for the CVT, and it pulls properly all the way from all-around 1,800rpm to past 6,000rpm in one prolonged, thoroughly clean sweep. This potent, extended press when you are on the throttle is rather satisfying, but you nonetheless do skip the turbo coming in with a hurry, in particular the gratifying move up in electrical power when this takes place. And past five,000rpm, there is a little bit of a increase and a thrum.

The manual model is probably to be more quickly than the XUV300 and Tata Nexon.

Progression, as you get on and off the throttle in targeted visitors, nonetheless, is clean, not like cars like the Nexon and Venue, and the engine even pulls reasonably properly when off boost.

The five-velocity manual gearbox, nonetheless, just isn’t the slickest device all-around. The gate is properly outlined and the gears slot in properly, but you do need to give the equipment lever a little bit of an extra press. The clutch is a contact large much too and has a sharp release level, which can make engagement a little bit snappy.

The five-velocity manual involves a little bit of exertion to slot it in equipment.

Nissan Magnite dealing with, security and experience comfort

Riding on tall and rigid springs, the Magnite’s suspension setup is a little bit on the firm aspect, which functions properly at velocity. Straight line security, as a final result, is decent and the weighty steering gives you a honest volume of confidence. The Magnite isn’t going to sense nervous or hop all-around when you brake really hard both. Agility, nonetheless, just isn’t its forte. Switch in to corners is a little bit lazy, and you need some more steering enter at periods to get the Magnite well into a corner. So, it just isn’t truly an SUV that enjoys carving up corners.

Straight line security is superior but it truly is a little bit lazy in the corners.

More crucial, nonetheless, is the fact that the steering is quick to twirl at town speeds, the brakes are properly ‘servoed’ for town use and the Magnite feels at property in the city environment, which is frankly where it will invest a majority of its time. 

The experience, nonetheless, is a little bit revealing. The Magnite feels unsettled at small speeds in excess of improperly paved patches, the experience is occupied for the most element, and then, at any time so typically, you get a loud ‘thwack’ from the suspension as you operate in excess of a significant or medium-sized pothole. Whilst the suspension does soak up some of the larger bumps superior at velocity, you evidently are mindful of the surface area beneath, and there’s even a honest volume of highway noise, in particular in excess of coarse surfaces.

The experience is on the stiffer aspect.

Nissan Magnite room and comfort

Whilst the Magnite is the narrowest car in its course, there evidently is a lot of room and legroom on the within. The seating placement is rather upright, which functions properly for room effectiveness, the prolonged 2,500mm wheelbase liberates a good deal of room, and then Nissan has done a superb position of packaging the cabin. The entrance seats are properly bolstered and supply superior thigh and shoulder guidance, and it truly is rather quick to obtain a relaxed driving placement, regardless of the fact that the steering isn’t going to modify for attain. Even so, the lumbar guidance is a little bit abnormal, and in variants without seat height modify, the large dash could impede the look at out for shorter motorists (and entrance passengers).

It really is rather quick to obtain a relaxed driving placement.

Ingress into the rear is quick, thanks to a extensive doorway aperture, and within there’s a lot of legroom even for six-footers. The seatback is a contact upright (to accommodate a more substantial boot), but no grievances about thigh guidance, which is rather superior. Headroom, much too, is extra than sufficient, and given that there’s only a compact hump in the flooring, a third passenger can be accommodated rather quickly. Even the centre armrest is properly positioned and the slot for a significant mobile phone in advance of the cupholder is a pleasant contact. You also get adjustable rear headrests at the back again, there are rear air-con vents, and while there’s no USB socket at the rear, you do get a 12V charging socket.

Rear seat shoulder place, legroom and headroom are extra than enough.

The Magnite also provides a honest measurement boot, though the Sonet, Venue and Nexon supply larger types. The tailgate lifts to reveal a deep 336-litre luggage space and there’s also the solution to split the rear seat sixty:40, must you need extra room.

The rear seats split and fold to liberate extra place.

Nissan Magnite interior and functions

Stage into the Magnite and you are right away mindful that Nissan has set a good deal of exertion and expenditure into the structure and execution of the cabin. Of course, the prime of the dash is built of really hard (but matte) plastic and the band of piano black that runs across the dash just isn’t to everyone’s style, but there are nonetheless issues that capture your eye and impress. These include things like the Lamborghini Urus-like vents, the significant frameless eight.-inch touchscreen with steel surround, the properly built air-con knobs with the mini shows inset, the deconstructed centre console, the wi-fi phone charging program, the TFT display in the instrument panel that can be cycled by way of a variety of modes, and even the double-stitched ‘denim’ on the doorway pads and elbow rest seems to be interesting. Then there are the quilted fabric and leatherette seats, a substantial 10-litre glovebox, and even the steering wheel feels properly set with each other.

Sprint receives a frameless eight.-inch touchscreen. 

Segment-initially functions include things like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which sense an complete treat to use along with the wi-fi charger, and this is the initially car in this course to get a 360-degree reversing digicam and exhibit. Whilst the reversing cameras usually are not of the optimum resolution, and the touchscreen just isn’t as superior as the one on the Hyundai Venue or the Kia Sonet, the program is incredibly intuitive and useable. Nissan Hook up and smartwatch connectivity is also accessible as an solution on the turbos. There’s no sunroof, but you do get other kit like puddle lamps and a six-speaker audio program. Whilst the Sonet nonetheless remains the very best outfitted car in this course, the Magnite receives a good deal of kit, in particular when you issue in its cost.

The Magnite receives a phase-initially wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

In which the Magnite lags powering its rivals, nonetheless, is create quality. Many of the plastic bits in the cabin usually are not as robustly built as they must be, the healthy in locations is a lot less than great, and we even experienced a several buzzes and rattles on the move from powering the dashboard. Whilst the create toughness is substantially enhanced in excess of some of the early Datsun products and solutions, there evidently is nonetheless some way to go.

Nissan Magnite basic safety machines

Top variations of the Magnite appear with driver aids like Auto Dynamic Control, traction management and hill begin aid, and also element ISOFIX kid-seat mounts at the back again. Abdominal muscles with EBD, twin airbags and rear parking sensors are standard across the selection, and on some variants, you also get a tyre stress monitoring program and brake aid. The centre passenger in the rear, nonetheless, only receives a lap-belt, not a three-level inertia reel seat belt.

Need to you purchase one?

With its disruptive pricing, the Magnite is all established to draw in hordes of opportunity buyers. On supply is a sharp and modern day-hunting compact SUV that is relaxed on the within, properly outfitted and is quick to push. Even so, it may possibly not have the most supple experience, it just isn’t as entertaining to push as some of its rivals, and it evidently is not built as robustly as other cars in this course. And then there’s Nissan’s dealer community, which demands to make improvements to much too.

Magnite undercuts all compact SUVs on cost by a big margin.

Even now, if you are in the market for a compact SUV, and really don’t thoughts finding a minimal a lot less car for a good deal a lot less funds, continue to keep your eyes glued to the Magnite. This just could be the most disruptive SUV to strike showrooms in a prolonged, prolonged time. Competition, brace for the impact.

Also see:

Nissan Magnite launch on December 2, 2020

Nissan Magnite vs rivals: Options comparison