Nissan's plucky little Magnite has been a roaring success in South Africa, shifting over 26,000 units since its arrival in 2021.
Now, the Japanese automaker has given it a mid-life refresh, sharpening its looks and adding some extra tech to keep it competitive in the cutthroat compact SUV market.
First impressions are crucial, and the Magnite's facelift certainly makes a statement. The front end is bolder, with a wider grille featuring black elements that flow into the redesigned headlights.
Think of it as a subtle nip and tuck, just enough to turn heads without resorting to drastic surgery. A more pronounced lower skid plate adds to the rugged SUV vibe, and you'll find new 16-inch "diamond-cut" alloy wheels on the Acenta and Acenta Plus models.
Inside, the Magnite's cabin has received a welcome update. A configurable TFT driver display replaces the old-school dials, giving the dash a more modern feel. Nissan has also, thankfully, integrated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, because who wants to fiddle with cables in this day and age?
Ambient lighting adds a touch of sophistication, and if you splash out on the top-spec model, you even get a remote engine start function – perfect for pre-heating (or cooling) the cabin before you set off.
Safety is always a top priority, and Nissan has upped the ante by making six airbags standard across the entire Magnite range. That's on top of the existing safety kit, which includes Vehicle Dynamic Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring.
If you opt for a higher-spec model, you'll also get the Around View Monitor, which uses four cameras to give you a bird's-eye view of your surroundings. Parallel parking just got a whole lot easier.
Now, for the bit you've all been waiting for: the engines. The Magnite keeps things simple with two 1.0-litre three-cylinder options. The naturally aspirated version delivers 53 kW and 96 Nm, which should be adequate for most urban commutes.
If you need more oomph, the turbocharged variant pumps out a healthier 74 kW and 152 Nm. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual, an automated manual transmission (AMT), and a CVT, depending on the engine and trim level you choose.
Pricing:
Magnite 1.0 Visia (MT) - R246 200
Magnite 1.0 Acenta (MT) - R277 300
Magnite 1.0 Visia (AMT) - R263 200
Magnite 1.0 Acenta (AMT) - R294 400
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus (AMT) - R323 900
Magnite 1.0T Visia (MT) - R309 700
Magnite 1.0 Acenta (MT) - R340 100
Magnite 1.0 Acenta (CVT) - R370 500
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus (CVT) - R410 700
