BHPMania Review: The Magnite, A Fun and Friendly Driving Option from Nissan

Every once in a while, a car arrives that is simple, practical, and does exactly what is expected of it. This is perhaps the greatest virtue for drivers navigating crowded big-city streets, where traffic is often bumper-to-bumper and driving a large, over-equipped car can become tiring.

The new Nissan Magnite fits perfectly into this sweet spot, offering an enjoyable and stress-free driving experience without forcing the driver to fight the car or deal with an overload of gadgets inside the cabin.

From the exterior to the interior, the Nissan Magnite’s design is tasteful, modern, and refreshingly understated.

Starting with the looks, when I say it is not flashy, it certainly doesn’t mean it lacks road presence. There is a well-balanced mix of colours and finishes — from the honeycomb black grille to the chrome and silver elements at the front. In fact, the chrome detailing elevates the car’s appeal noticeably. The L-shaped DRLs and sleek LED headlamps give the Magnite a contemporary and premium look.

A major standout feature is the set of 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, which not only enhance the SUV’s appearance but also contribute to a comfortable ride, especially on India’s pothole-ridden roads. During my drive, the Magnite handled rough patches impressively well, remaining stable thanks to its generous ground clearance.

Functional roof rails further add to the practicality of the Magnite.

At the rear, a single chrome strip sits neatly below the windshield, accompanied by the Magnite branding. The LED tail lamps continue the premium design language, while the silver skid plate enhances the SUV’s sporty persona.

Inside the cabin, the Magnite continues to impress. The multi-colour leatherette accents on the dashboard, doors, and various touchpoints caught my attention immediately. The AC switches and knobs are well-finished, and the presence of a start-stop button adds convenience.

The variant I tested was the 1.0-litre turbo CVT, which makes about 100 PS of power and 152 Nm of torque. (Nissan also offers a manual transmission and a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated variant.) The engine idles smoothly at around 750 rpm, and once the turbo kicks in, the Magnite pulls ahead with enthusiasm. It is fun to drive in the city, and on open highways, it performs exactly as designed — lively, composed, and easygoing.

The steering feels light and comfortable, never putting strain on the arms, even after long hours of driving.

Nissan claims a fuel efficiency of up to 20 kmpl under test conditions.

The seats offer good thigh support, though for someone my height (5 ft 10 in), I would have preferred slightly more seat length. The boot is practical too — 336L expandable to 540L, thanks to the 60:40 rear seat split.

In terms of features, the Magnite offers an extensive list: heat guard tech, continuous multi-colour ambient lighting with memory, plasma cluster air ionizer, new global smart key with 60m remote engine start, walk-away lock (WAL), approach unlock (AUL), and the segment’s biggest electronic bezel-less auto-dimming IRVM.

The new model also includes a 360-degree view monitor, a 17.78 cm full-digital advanced cluster with dark theme, a floating 20.32 cm (8-inch) touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, and 3D sound by ARKAMYS.

Customers can also opt for a Tech Pack which adds a dashcam, wireless charger, JBL (Harman-powered) premium speakers, puddle lamps, and LED scuff plates.

The Magnite lineup comes in 11 body colours — six monotone and five dual-tone options.

Safety is well covered with six airbags, vehicle dynamic control (VDC), traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA), hydraulic brake assist (HBA), ABS, EBD, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and more.

Pricing for the Nissan Magnite starts at Rs 5.61 lakh (ex-showroom), making it one of the most value-rich compact SUVs in India.

All in all, Nissan has done an excellent job with the Magnite. With production taking place at the Chennai plant and exports underway, the model strongly suggests that better days lie ahead for Nissan in India.