2024 Nissan Magnite review - Best Value for Money Prospect?

The Nissan Magnite has been the brand's bread and butter for the last 4 years now and now its updated form will continue the charge as one of the most bang for your buck vehicles. It's not all new and looks pretty similar to the outgoing car but there are a few bits that Nissan has addressed with this facelift and that's something I was most looking forward to witnessing. The price hasn't gone up either as the base price is still Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom). So should you consider this over the other premium offerings like the Sonet, Nexon, XUV 3XO and so on? Let's find out.

2024 Nissan Magnite: Design

It would be cruel to say that the Magnite looks budget. The Magnite has always been a very handsome car to look at. Not just for its price but in general it looks extremely plush and premium. The face isn't all new but has been rather updated mildly. The DRLs look extremely sharp as far as I can remember and the grille has grown slightly in size. The chrome detailing on each side of the grille is a bit tacky in my opinion but it is something that will grow on. The bumpers at the front are new as well and that's a neat touch as the car now looks more SUVish than before.

The side profile hasn't had any alterations except the fact that the 16-inch alloys have got a new dual-tone finish. It is still very captivating to look at with its angular body lines. The roofline is slightly slopping for a more athletic appeal and the silver roof-rails do make the Magnite grown up. The rear end is quite familiar as well and only the tail-lights get a new 3D LED signature that gives this affordable compact SUV an upmarket vibe.

2024 Nissan Magnite: Interior & Features

Things have taken a big turn for the good when you step inside the Magnite. Nobody appreciated the cheap plastic dash on the outgoing car and this new one brings along a much-needed upgrade. The Sunrise Copper leatherette doesn't only cover the dashboard but also extends to the armrests on the doors and in the centre. Speaking of the centre armrest, it finally opens up to reveal some storage space which weirdly was missing in the previous car. Keeping in mind though, this Sunrise Copper shade is rather more orange than it is Cooper but nevertheless, it looks really premium.

The remaining bits are pretty much the same, which is kind of a miss. With the facelift, Nissan could've given it a bigger touchscreen. The graphics in the instrument cluster look a bit 2016 and the top variants probably deserved a sunroof too. These are a few things that could've at least been offered in the top variants.

Even without all that though, the Magnite facelift is still quite loaded with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 7-inch instrument cluster, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, reverse parking camera with guidelines, 360-degree camera, a new key-fob, 336-litre boot, electrically foldable ORVMs, height-adjustable driver seat, wireless charger, USB Type-C charging ports, six airbags, ESC, ISOFIX anchors, traction control, a tyre pressure monitor, and a hill-start assist.

2024 Nissan Magnite: Driving Impressions

The Magnite is still powered by the same two powertrain options. We drove the 1.0-litre turbo petrol which can put out 100PS and 152Nm when paired with the CVT (160Nm with the MT). There is a 1.0-litre NA petrol with 72PS that can be had with a manual or an AMT but opting for the turbo over the NA is an absolute no-brainer. We've driven this 4-cylinder unit before and it performs brilliantly for everyday commutes. It doesn't feel underpowered or lethargic on the highway and even in the city it gets the job done. There are a few vibrations though when the engine is idling.

The CVT gearbox is smooth in every aspect. It responds on time and doesn't jerk upon lift-off. It's got enough grunt to pull you through immediately even when you're cruising at around 50 to 60 kph. The brakes on the other hand though feel a bit weak though. The stopping prowess could be more instantaneous and driving the Magnite around a city like Mumbai city did get into a few nerve-biting moments when it came to applying the sudden halt.

I couldn't find a fault with the Magnite's suspension, which is likely among the best in its class when it comes to overall ride quality. It handles little bumps - even larger ones, for that matter - quite effectively. Small vibrations can be felt throughout the cabin, but not enough to be an annoyance. This suspension would only be enjoyable while you are in the city. Out on the highway when you're hitting triple-digit speeds, it doesn't give you as much confidence as you would want.

2024 Nissan Magnite: Verdict

The 2024 Nissan Magnite makes a very strong and justifiable case for itself. It doesn't offer as much as its more premium competitors have to offer. The interior isn't on par and so is the features list. But in all fairness will definitely score the most amount of stars in the value-for-money department. While all its competitors got an update with a noticeable price jump, the Magnite still has the same base price as the outgoing car. The few updates that come along with this facelift go a long way to make this one of the most satisfying and solid purchases you could make under Rs 10 lakh.