After a month of driving the Nissan Magnite CVT, I can say it’s been a fairly satisfying experience overall, especially for city use. It’s compact, easy to live with, and offers good value for money in this segment.
What I like :
1. Looks
I will certainly not be wrong in quoting that the Magnite is one of the finest looking vehicles on the road. Well-proportioned, stylish, with a design that will age well. In fact it also looks more premium than most of its competition.
2. Effortless city driving
The 1.0-litre turbo engine paired with the CVT gearbox makes daily driving very convenient. Power delivery is smooth and responsive enough for city traffic and also for quick overtakes. The gearbox is actually seamless. There are no jerks or hesitation, and it takes away a lot of stress from stop-go traffic, especially in cities like Mumbai, where I have been using it.
3. Good space and practicality
Despite its sub-compact size, the Magnite feels roomy inside. There’s enough space for five, and the boot is fairly useful for weekend trips. The driving position is high and gives a nice view of the road.
Features like automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment, and rear AC vents, make it feel well-equipped for the price.
4. High ground clearance and confident stance
With about 205 mm of clearance, it takes rough patches, speed breakers, and uneven roads with ease. The SUV-like stance gives a sense of confidence, especially when navigating crowded city roads.
What could be better?
1. Ride quality on bad roads
While the suspension behaves very well on normal roads, it does get a bit harsh over larger potholes or rough surfaces. You feel a bit of the bump inside the cabin. It’s not uncomfortable, but surely noticeable.
2. Highway performance
For regular highway runs, the engine is adequate, but when you push it beyond 100 km/h, it starts to feel a little strained. Overtaking at higher speeds needs some planning. It’s happiest cruising between 80–100 km/h. This also makes it more frugal.
3. Real-world fuel efficiency
Nissan claims close to 18 km/l, but in mixed driving (mostly city, some highway) I’ve been getting around 12–14 km/l. It’s acceptable for an automatic, but not really its strong point. However, driving with a light foot may increase the efficiency a little and similarly a heavy foot results in it guzzling fuel as well.
4. Slight CVT rubber-band feel
The CVT is smooth, but under hard acceleration, there’s that typical CVT “rubber-band” effect — the revs rise before the car actually gathers speed. It takes a few days to get used to if you’re used to driving a manual car.
5. Steering feedback
The steering though light, feels disconnects at times. The feedback is not sharp. While it’s ok for city driving, I wish it had a better feel and a bit sharper.
Overall Impression
After a month, I find the Magnite CVT to be a very practical and easy-to-live-with car. It’s well-suited for urban and suburban use, with light steering, good visibility, and plenty of features. The elevated seating and comfortable ingress/egress also make it ideal for slightly older drivers or those who prefer an easy-to-drive automatic.
Verdict:
A well-balanced compact SUV for daily commutes and short trips. If you prioritise ease of driving and practicality over outright performance, the Magnite CVT is a smart buy.