Nissan Magnite 1.0T Acenta Plus (2021) Review: When you get more than you bargained for

I can fully understand South Africans' obsession with compact SUVs. They're practical for daily use, and you can take them almost anywhere, plus, you have a good vantage point in traffic. Getting in and out is easy for the older and younger members of your family, and usually, the boot offers enough space for school- and grocery runs. However, if you want niceties like rearview cameras and touchscreens with screen mirroring, you usually have to pay dearly for it or spend more to afford a car in a higher segment.

In the past few months, manufacturers have identified a gap in the market that was easy to fill, and feature-rich subcompact SUVs started to appear on the horizon from every direction. The Suzuki Vitara Brezza/Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Sonet and Renault Kiger are all newcomers that prove that more can cost you less. Having driven all of them, in that specific order, I was keen to get behind the wheel of the Nissan Magnite.

 

Styling

 

The Magnite's athletic sheet metal is certainly one of its strongest suits, and I found myself appreciating its shapely lines more often than those belonging to the Vitara Brezza/Urban Cruiser duo and other contenders in this price range. The Acenta Plus models are privy to the dual-toned paint job and LED daytime running lamps with LED headlamps.

 

 

The Magnite's angular, chiselled styling with a floating-effect roof and 16-inch striking alloy wheels is spot-on, and overall, its fashionable packaging belies its humble price tag. The view from the rear is equally appealing. In a segment where rear-ends tend to look dull and generic, Nissan has managed to create something instantly recognizable and unique; also due in part to the MAGNITE lettering across the boot lid, which looks classy.

 

Interior space, comfort, and convenience

 

On the inside, it looks contemporary and stylish overall, but once you get comfortable and start running your fingers across some of the switchgear and surfaces, you realize that the Magnite is indeed aimed at the more budget-oriented car-buyer. The central armrest is without a storage cubby, so you either need to take these smaller valuables like wallets and phones with you (this is where a handbag is useful) or lock them inside the boot when you go hiking or biking. Another irritation is the old-fashioned pull-up door locks that seem to have been lifted directly from the Renault Triber. At least all doors can be unlocked simultaneously by pushing the button below the central touchscreen. 

On the plus side, the large touchscreen also displays Nissan's Around-View camera for easy parking manoeuvres (you'll never scratch a rim again!) and is equipped with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto for hands-free operation. 

 

 

There's also a handy little upper shelf for your phone with an integrated charging pad, which is a bonus since only one USB port calls the Magnite home. These kind of specifications are usually not accessible to those of us who shop in the sub-R300k new-car segment. (Also note the start button.)

To view the specifications of each model, download the full Nissan Magnite brochure here.

 

 

In Acenta Plus models, the textured seat material has an upmarket, velvety feel to it, which is further enhanced by strips of partial faux leather on the seat edges for increased longevity. As for space, there is more than the average-sized family will expect at this price point. The second row has oodles of legroom and a third passenger will be quite comfortable in the centre but has to make do with a lap belt. (ISOFIX is available for the outer rear seats.) The door cards offer sufficient space, and a rear central armrest has two more cupholders. Rear seat passengers have access to a designated 12V power socket (where a portable USB hub can be plugged in) and their own, personal air-conditioning vents — yet again, features that are desirable and quite rare at this price point. 

 

 

The boot is surprisingly spacious too, ideal for parents of small kids who still need to cart that bulky pram or stroller around, and a full-sized spare wheel hides underneath the boot floor. The Magnite's 205 mm of ground clearance, coupled with a lip of reasonable height, enables easy lifting and storage of heavier items. The rear seat can be split if you want to stow a bicycle (when there's not a pram in there already, mind you!).

 

 

The drive, performance, and fuel economy

 

The Magnite shares many of its underpinnings with the Triber, including a platform.  Fortunately, the engine is not the naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre in the Triber (and now also in the entry-level Renault Kiger), but a 3-cylinder, turbocharged 1.0-litre mill with plenty of pep (if you're not afraid to use the manual 'box). While it doesn't have much power in the lower rev-range, it holds its own once you've 'wound it up' a little, and does a fine job on the highway. It isn't shy to overtake slow-moving vehicles, either. There's plenty of fun to be had, as long as you don't think its softly-sprung suspension is suitable for high-speed corner-carving. The turbo-pot offers 74 kW and 160 Nm and the Magnite will reach 100 km per hour in a decent 11.7 seconds. The fuel economy is equally decent at around 6.5 litres per 100 km, depending on the heaviness of your right foot. Nissan claims a combined figure of 5.3 litres in a perfect world.

For the Monday – Friday slog, the Magnite is highly comfortable as it floats over potholes and speed bumps en route to school and effortlessly flits through traffic. Light off-roading on weekends is also on the menu, of course. But, if you're not the kind of person who enjoys stirring the 'stick shift', the CVT version will be more to your liking, but it does slow things down a little. For more relaxed drivers, it's the one to get.

 

Safety

 

As we've mentioned, the Magnite scored high marks in the ASEAN NCAP crash safety test — four stars, to be exact, thanks to ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill-start assist, cruise control, front fog lamps, a rearview camera, park distance control, traction and stability control, two airbags, and even a tyre pressure sensor. This is standard on all derivatives!

Nissan also overs 24-hour roadside assistance, "no matter the age of your Nissan, because it's still a Nissan", says the brochure. A 6-year or 150 000 km warranty and 3-year/30 000 km service plan are included. A courtesy car for all warranty repairs will be available to you should the components not be available within 48 hours.

 

Pricing

 

The Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus is priced at an attainable R287 900, while the CVT equivalent comes in at R311 900. Entry-level models (Turbo Acenta and Turbo Acenta CVT) are priced at R261 900 and 285 900 respectively. In this segment, you'll find the aforementioned Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser, the well-received Haval Jolion, newly-launched Renault Kiger (with which it shares many components) and the Kia Sonet. The Korean has set the bar rather high from a quality perspective, so this is the one to beat.

Strangely, people seem to have forgotten all about the well-priced and multi-functional Mahindra XUV300, which is also roomy and full of features, and was awarded a five-star safety rating from Global NCAP. 

 

Verdict

 

The Nissan Magnite is a compelling choice if you are willing to overlook a few of its faults, but if you need space, peace of mind, and creature comforts galore, it certainly is worth parking in your garage.