Originally intended to be a badged Datsun, the latest Nissan crossover SUV, the Magnite, has been introduced to South Africa. With entrants such as the new Toyota Urban Cruiser and Suzuki Vitara Brezza twins, the compact crossover segment appears to have heated up exponentially in 2021. Here are 5 things that you need to know about Nissan’s latest local product.
1.Safety
The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) tested the Magnite in December of 2020 where it scored 4-Stars. This includes a score of 28.09 out of 36 for adult occupant safety, 31.96 out of 49 points for child occupant safety and 11 out of 18 points for its safety assist systems. This brings the grand total to 70.60 out of a 103 points.
2.One engine, two gearbox options
The Magnite range is available with one engine option, a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 74kW and 160Nm of torque when paired with the 5-speed manual gearbox and 152Nm of torque in the CVT model. The manual models will sprint from 0-100km/h 11.7 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.3L/100km. The CVT variants are less accelerative, with a 0-100km/h time of 13.4 seconds while fuel consumption is higher too at 6.0L/100km.
3.Practical
At nearly 4.0-metres long, 1.75-metres wide, 1.57-metres tall along with boot volume of 336-litres along with a ground clearance of 205mm, the Magnite will appeal to small families and those looking to upgrade from a hatchback. The ground clearance also endows it with a degree of capability, should you look to mount a kerb at your local shopping centre. There are also roof rails with a 50kg load-bearing capacity as well as front and rear skid plates, adding to the lifestyle appeal of the car.
4.Connected
The Magnite comes with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The system is complemented by a 6-speaker audio system and a multifunction steering wheel that includes both media and cruise control functionality.
5.Pricing, warranty and service plan
The Magnite range starts at R256 999 for the Acenta manual model and increases to R280 100 for the automatic version. The Acenta Plus manual model retails for R282 600 while the automatic version of that specification is on sale for R305 700. All models come with a 3-year/30 000km service plan as well as a 6-year/150 000km warranty.
