Buying a used Nissan Magnite: what to look out for

GOOD FOR: Smooth turbo-CVT Good value

LOOK OUT FOR: Suspension wea, Interior rattles

Ever since its launch in December 2020, the Magnite has been a very important model for Nissan in India – for a period, it was the only Nissan on sale. It combines a compact package, a good features list, and punchy performance (turbo) in a value-for-money package. And now that you can get a slightly used one for the price of a new small hatchback, it’s worth considering.|

Nissan Magnite engine, gearbox details

Under the hood, the Magnite comes with the choice of two 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines. The first is a naturally aspirated unit producing 72hp and 96Nm, while the other is a turbocharged unit that makes 100hp and 160Nm. In terms of gearboxes, both come paired with a 5-speed manual as standard. The turbo-petrol additionally gets the option of a CVT, but in this configuration, the engine’s torque output drops by 8Nm (to 152Nm). An AMT auto option was also added to the atmospheric petrol engine in October 2023.

Nissan Magnite fuel economy

Claimed fuel efficiency for the naturally aspirated (NA) petrol stands at 19.4kpl for the manual and 19.7kpl for the AMT. Meanwhile, the Turbo variants have a claimed 19.9kpl (MT) and 17.9kpl (CVT). It’s worth opting for one of the Turbo variants as the engine is punchy and has good performance compared to the NA engine that feels lethargic. Still, if the budget is tight, you can go for the NA petrol-MT, with good examples hovering between Rs 3.5 lakh-6 lakh. The gearbox option should be based on your usage, but you’ll see the Magnite in its best light in the turbo-CVT guise, as it feels smooth and seamless.

Nissan Magnite features and variant details

At launch, Nissan offered the Magnite in five main trim levels – XE, XL, XV, XV Premium and XV Premium (O). Nissan also offered a ‘Technology pack’ on the top three trims for an extra Rs 39,000, and that brought in more features like wireless charging, ambient lighting, puddle lamps, JBL speakers and an air purifier. Furthermore, there were special editions like the ‘Geza’ and the ‘Red’ introduced along the way.

As for features, the range-topping XV Premium (O) gets LED headlamps with LED DRLs, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch MID, voice commands, connected car tech, push-button start, cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitor, dual airbags, traction control and ISOFIX mounts.

The base XE is bare bones, so it is best avoided unless you’re on a very strict budget. Otherwise, it’s best to opt for either the XV or the XV Premium variants, as they get all the necessary goodies.

Nissan’s service centres aren’t the most widespread in our country, but spare parts are relatively easily available. The Magnite has also proven to be a fairly reliable model, which should alleviate some of your concerns about buying a used example. It’s also worth keeping in mind that there’s a faceliftedMagnite out now, so you can use that to your advantage to get a better deal.

What to look out for in a used Nissan Magnite

Suspensions wear

Some owners have faced issues with the Magnite’s suspension. While a few have complained about excessive noise, others have experienced premature wear from suspension components. So, take a test drive before buying, listen for any thuds or squeaks over bumps, and notice if it crashes excessively. These are signs of worn-out suspension bushings that will need replacing.

Interior rattles

Magnite owners have also complained about various rattles coming from the interior as the car ages. So, on a drive, go through a rough patch and listen for any rattle or squeaks coming from behind the dashboard, the centre console, or the door cards

Nissan Magnite recalls in India 

Nissan had issued a recall for the Magnite due to issues with its front door handle sensors, which were replaced free of charge. The recall affects only the base XE and mid XL variants, built between November 2020 and December 2023. So, if you’re buying an example from this period, ensure that this replacement has been carried out.

Used Nissan Magnite resale value 

HOW MUCH TO SPEND? 

Rs 4 lakh–7 lakh

Prices for used Magnites are hovering between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 9 lakh, depending on the powertrain, variant and model year. However, don’t look to spend over Rs 7 lakh for a used example. And with the facelift out recently, you can use this to haggle on the price.

Also see:

Nissan Magnite facelift review: Small changes, big effect

Nissan Magnite facelift exports nearly equal domestic sales

Nissan Magnite: new versus old