Nissan Magnite, a stylish and practical crossover for under R300,000

If you’re looking for a subcompact crossover SUV that embodies style, performance, and safety, all the while staying within a reasonable price bracket of under R300,000, then check out the formidable 2023 Nissan Magnite. This stylish crossover has positioned itself within the fiercely competitive landscape of small SUVs in South Africa, where it faces off against tough opponents such as the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Renault Kiger.

Keep reading for all the important details regarding the design, performance, and features of the 2023 Nissan Magnite.

The sporty design of the Nissan Magnite is punctuated with a sizeable octagonal grille with chrome accents. The front facade is further complemented by LED headlights, adorned with striking L-shaped LED DRLs.

The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels dominate the side profile, perfectly contrasted with the rugged black cladding and roof rails. The rear view of the Magnite showcases beautiful C-shaped LED tail lamps that exude an element of panache, coupled with a meticulously crafted roof spoiler and a faux skid plate.

The new Magnite’s physical dimensions are imposing yet refined, measuring 3994mm in length, 1758mm in width, and 1572mm in height, with an impressive wheelbase of 2500mm and a ground clearance of 205mm that ensures a confident and secure driving experience.

The Nissan Magnite's roomy cabin easily fits up to five occupants with legroom and headroom that ensures a comfortable ride. The dashboard features an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Further enhancing the dashboard's appeal is the seven-inch digital instrument cluster that clearly displays the speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and trip meter, etc. The steering wheel has been thoughtfully equipped with convenient mounted controls for audio and cruise control, adding an extra layer of convenience and ease to your driving experience.

The Nissan Magnite's boot space is equally impressive, measuring at a substantial 336 litres that can be further expanded to 690 litres by folding down the rear seats.

The new 2023 Magnite offers just one engine option in South Africa, i.e., a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol pumping out 74kW of power and 160Nm of torque. The engine pairs with either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT (with torque output reduced to 152Nm). Nissan claims a combined fuel efficiency of 5.27 l/100km for the manual and 6.0 l/100km for the automatic variant.

The small SUV provides a smooth, responsive driving experience with its peppy engine and agile handling. The suspension setup consists of MacPherson struts at the front and a twin-tube telescopic shock absorber at the rear to absorb most of the road bumps. Additionally, the 2023 Nissan Magnite comes with Eco, Normal, and Sport modes.

The 2023 Nissan Magnite does not skimp on safety features. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, electronic stability control (ESC), and a 360-degree camera are available, either as standard or optional depending on the variant. In addition, the Magnite also has rear parking sensors, a rear defogger and wiper, speed-sensing door locks, and impact-sensing door unlocks. With four stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection from Global NCAP, Magnite sets a high benchmark for its competitors in the segment.

The 2023 Nissan Magnite delivers a winning combination of style, space, performance, safety, and technology to the subcompact crossover SUV segment. The efficient and spirited engine powers a smooth and responsive transmission, along with a host of safety and tech features that put it ahead of the pack. And with a competitive price range that starts at R296500 for the Acenta manual and tops out at R353,500 for the Acenta Plus automatic, the Magnite is an attractive option for buyers seeking a small SUV with big-time features. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

Imagery was sourced from www.nissan.co.za