Driving up Jebel Jais in a sports car is a rising graph of exhilaration. Behind the wheel of the new Nissan Magnite, it was more of a statement – that the new entry level model in the Nissan range is ready to take on the region, with a reassuring package of thoughtful features, a considerate powerhouse and exceptional value.
Now into its second generation, Nissan Kicks has moved on, with a bolder design, bigger space and an upgraded powerplant. And the Nissan Magnite has moved in as the new desirable entry-level vehicle in the Nissan SUV range. Get the new Nissan Kicks review here or continue reading about the virtues and values of the new Nissan Magnite.
Thoughtfully built for the Middle East
Before going into the impressive details of design, comfort and tech, here is a bundle of features that is sure to appeal to the exclusive expectations of the Middle East, especially in a hot summer.
The cabin aesthetics of the new Nissan Magnite is enhanced by the quilted styling of its seats and the soft-touch leather-like finish but there is more to it than just looks. These ‘Modura quilted leatherette seats’ are equipped with HeatGuard technology that ward off UV rays to allow for 10% less heat retention. The Magnite, despite being a sub-compact vehicle, also comes with rear AC vents and even an air-cooled glovebox. Add to this the Remote Engine Start feature that will cool the cabin before you take your seat, the Magnite indeed has a strong arsenal to battle the region’s hot summers. A technological upgrade for urban environments is the Cluster Ionizer that can work on typical city quality air to deliver forest quality air in 20 min – particularly useful on those hazy, dusty days!
The Design
Nissan Magnite has striking looks that will capture the imagination of a first-time buyer. Besides the wide dual tone grille and muscular appearance, colours lend a lot of character to the design of the Magnite. For instance, a first-of-its-kind tri-tone cabin, remarkable for its orange soft-touch surfaces on the seat and dashboard, complemented by the quilted design of the leatherette seats that adds a premium finish to the cabin! The exterior colours of the Magnite include a flagship Sunrise Orange, sure to stand out in the parking lot and in traffic. In the design of the Magnite, a cluster of hexagons play a striking role – right from the honeycomb grille to the air-conditioning vents and door-side trims.
Space and storage
Nissan Magnite is just shy of 4 meters but has a 2.5 m wheelbase that assures its passengers a comfortable stretch, especially with its class-leading knee room of 22 cm. The compact car offers some useful boot space that grows from 336 L to 500 L once the rear seats are folded. The cargo space extending a few inches deeper beneath the loading frame allows for stuff to be tucked away. The cabin comes equipped with large cup or bottle holders, a deep armrest storage, seatback pouches and even a thoughtfully carved mobile slot in the rear armrest.
Tech and safety upgrade
Nissan Magnite enters the sub-compact market at a time when generosity in tech and safety is the order of the day. Nissan has distinguished the dashboard with an 8” floating touch screen and a 7” driver information cluster with useful data related to tyre pressure, fuel economy and more. The Magnite has a wireless charger in the top trim along with fast charging USB ports. One of the most impressive tech features is an Around View Monitor that delivers exceptional guidance from a four-camera feed – once past a brief wait for the reversing screen to light up at the start. The Magnite’s i-key offers the convenience of walkaway locking and automatic unlock on approach. Setting safety standards for the whole segment are 6 airbags that come as standard.
Beyond an overall lightness of being that is a trait of compact cars, the Magnite has a solid build where it matters, with reinforced steel for structural integrity and class-leading thickness of window glass that offers a level of quiet comfort that redefines segment standards.
The Magnite Drive
My first hello to the new Nissan Magnite happened a few months ago on the Chennai testing track of the Nissan-Renault manufacturing facility, where the Nissan Magnite is being built for the world. That encounter was encouraging enough for me to chart my UAE test drive of the Magnite beyond urban side-roads and quick highways, to scale the challenging heights of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. As sports cars and powerful SUVs sped past me, the Magnite held its place with dignity, unshaken by the crosswinds and unruffled by the demands of the steep winding roads – which was more than I could ask of its turbo-charged 1.0 L engine generating 99 hp and 152 Nm of torque, which by the way happens to be class-leading.
The new CVT from Nissan supports the drive train rather well and even though there is no manual mode, the Magnite comes with a Low Gear selector (L), which proved useful while coming downhill with helpful engine braking. The sticker on the side smiled with the promise of 17.3 km per litre but my test drive clocked even better figures at times, though the overall figures were more conservative.
The driver-friendly features of Nissan Magnite include excellent view forwards and backwards from the driver’s perch – thanks to the wideset windscreen and the bezel-free rearview mirror that offers a wider view.
The essential Nissan Magnite
Nissan Magnite is being served to the world from their world-class manufacturing facility in Chennai and is already a popular choice in the Indian market with over 150,000 already on the road. In a segment where brownie points are picked up by quirky appeal, generous everyday features and a powertrain that doesn’t let you down, Nissan Magnite woos the compact car shopper with its impressive dual tone grille, dual tone diamond-cut alloys, tri-tone cabin and a convincing array of Middle East friendly features. All at a reasonable price, ranging from AED 59,900 to 71,200.
