Nissan Magnite vs Premium Hatchbacks Compared

Nissan has launched the Magnite in the country with prices starting from Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom), undercutting all its rivals and nudging premium hatchback territory. Is this attractive pricing enough for you to consider the Nissan SUV over well established models such as the Baleno, Altroz and i20? We also have the practical Jazz and the fun-to-drive Polo adding fire to the test. Let the game begin:

Price

At Rs 4.99 lakh, the Magnite’s entry-level variant is the most affordable model in this test. It’s a whopping Rs 2.51 lakh less expensive than the Jazz, which has the most expensive base-spec variant, but the Honda packs in a lot more equipment for the price. Even the Magnite’s top-spec variant is fairly priced at Rs 9.59 lakh and is Rs 1.74 lakh cheaper than the i20’s top-end variant, the most expensive car in this list.

Dimensions

• The Magnite is just a whisker shorter than the i20 and Baleno, and the Nissan is the tallest car in this test. 

• Even the Magnite’s wheelbase isn’t as long as the i20, which has the longest wheelbase in this test.  

• The Volkswagen Polo is the smallest car in this test in all aspects.

• In terms of boot space, the Magnite’s 336-litre boot is the smallest in this test. The Honda Jazz has the largest boot at 354 litres. 

Features

• Common features in all these cars include a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, a multi-info display and keyless entry with push button start. 

• All models except the Baleno and Glanza feature cruise control which is a useful feature for those long highway drives. 

• The i20 and Magnite are the only models in this test to come with a connected car suite. 

• The i20 is the most well equipped car in this test, packing unique features such as a wireless phone charger. 

• The Magnite offers this feature as a part of an optional Tech Pack which costs Rs 38,698. It also adds ambient lighting, an air purifier, a JBL sound system, and puddle lamps. 

• Tata Altroz is the only car to come with ambient lighting as standard. 

Safety Features

• All models come with a minimum of dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. However, the i20 is the only car here to feature side and curtain airbags. 

• All models except the Polo come with a rear parking camera. The Magnite goes a step ahead and features a 360-degree parking camera.  

• Electronic stability control is offered in the Magnite, i20 and Polo.

• Tyre pressure monitors are limited to the Nissan and Hyundai offerings. 

NA Petrol Engine

• Except for the Magnite and Polo, all models here come with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. 

• The Magnite’s 1.0-litre petrol engine is the least powerful while the Polo’s unit develops the least amount of torque. 

• The Jazz as well as the Glanza and Baleno Dualjet have the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in this test. The i20’s unit develops the most amount of torque. 

• All models come with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard; however, the i20, Baleno, Glanza, and Jazz can be specced with a CVT. 

• The Baleno and Glanza also feature a more powerful Dualjet motor that comes with a mild hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency and mild torque assist. 

Turbo Petrol Engine

• All three models come with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. 

• The Nissan’s unit is the least powerful while the Hyundai’s engine is the most powerful. The VW’s unit is the torquiest engine in this test. 

• The i20 Turbo can’t be specced with a manual gearbox unlike the other two models. It rather utilises a clutchless manual gearbox.  

• The i20 iMT and Magnite Turbo MT deliver the same fuel efficiency. However the automatic variant of the i20 is more fuel efficient than the Nissan. 

• The VW Polo TSI is the least fuel efficient car in this bunch. 

Verdict

The Magnite isn’t the class leading model in this list. Its naturally aspirated petrol engine is the least powerful here and niceties such as a sunroof are missing. But the Nissan's brownie point is offering more bang for your buck. It comes from a segment above and is packed with all the equipment one would ever need. And since SUVs are trending worldwide, the Magnite can be considered instead of these premium hatchbacks if you’re on a budget and looking for a high rider.