Nissan Magnite Safety Rating: Safer than a Hyundai Creta?
Key Highlights
- NCAP crash rating is not a legal requirement, but a voluntary assessment initiated by manufacturers.
- The 2025MY Renault Kiger (facelift) scored 5 stars in Global NCAP.
- Renault India is yet to test the new Magnite in Bharat NCAP.
The Nissan Magnite is a great value-for-money choice in India’s highly competitive sub-4m compact crossover segment, commonly called ‘compact SUVs’. Based on the proven Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-A+ architecture, it shares its core components with the Renault Kiger, a very compelling alternative within a similar price range. Other CMF-A+ products sold in India include the Renault Kwid budget hatchback, Renault Triber sub-4m MPV, as well as the Nissan Gravite sub-4m MPV.
The Nissan Magnite is currently the only product sold by the Japanese automaker in the country, as it gears up to launch the Gravite and Tekton (a rival to the Hyundai Creta). Built in India, the car is exported to over 65 countries. Apart from being an equivalent alternative to the Renault Kiger, the Nissan Magnite also serves to be a compelling, affordable competitor to the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Mahindra XUV 3X0.
Nissan Magnite: NCAP Safety Ratings
The updated 2025MY Nissan Magnite was crash tested in Global NCAP back in July 2025. The subcompact crossover scored 32.31/34.00 (5 stars) in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 33.64/49.00 (3 stars) in Child Occupant Protection (COP). This puts the Magnite ahead of the 2022MY Hyundai Creta dual-airbag variant that scored just 8.00/17.00 (3 stars; older test protocol) in AOP and 28.29/49.00 (3 stars) in COP.
However, the entry-level 2025MY Nissan Magnite variant with 2 airbags scored only 24.49/34.00 (2 stars) and 18.39/49.00 (2 stars) in each category. On paper, the Nissan Magnite may seem safer than the Hyundai Creta, but true automotive impact protection takes into account multiple other factors such as material usage, size (for larger crumble zones), driving characteristics (especially braking) and the object impacted.
Nissan India is yet to send the updated Magnite to Bharat NCAP crash tests. Higher trims are expected to score significantly better, as Bharat NCAP tests are more inclined to Indian driving conditions. NCAP crash tests are not a legal requirement, as many believe. Manufacturers voluntarily send their products for crash tests as part of their internal evaluation. Needless to say, a strong NCAP rating is a strong marketing tool.
Nissan Magnite: Top Safety Features & Highlights
The Nissan Magnite boasts of a 67% HSS body construction. Safety features extend from 6 airbags, TC and ESC, to a 360-degree parking camera, hill-start assist, auto-dimming IRVM, auto headlamps, etc. Other notable highlights include a 10-litre cooled glovebox, front armrest with storage, remote engine start, keyless entry, ambient lighting, LED projector headlamps, air ioniser, Arkamys audio, 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital instrument console.
Nissan Magnite: Specs & Dimensions
The Renault Kiger continues to be offered with two 3-cylinder petrol engines: 1.0-litre B4D NA (72ps @ 6,250rpm; 96Nm @ 3,400rpm; 5-speed manual / 5-speed AMT) and 1.0-litre HRA0 turbo (100ps @ 5,000rpm; 160Nm @ 2,800rpm / 152Nm @ 2,200rpm; 5-speed manual / CVT). Powertrain choices and output figures remain identical to the Renault Kiger.
The turbo CVT of the Renault Kiger can hit 100km/h from a standstill in about 11 seconds. Hence, the turbo CVT Magnite may showcase similar performance at a close kerb weight of 1103kg.
Compared to the Renault Kiger’s 405-litre boot capacity, the Nissan Magnite packs considerably less at 336 litres. Ground clearance stays the same, impressive 205mm. The car rides on 16-inch wheels and offers decent comfort over most road conditions.
Nissan Magnite: Variants & Prices
The 2026MY Nissan Magnite is offered in six variants: Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+. The total number of trims available is close to 25 based on engine and transmission combinations. This includes a limited-edition Magnite Kuro variant as well. Ex-showroom (Delhi) prices for the new Nissan Magnite are as follows:
- NA MT: ₹5.61-8.48 lakh
- NA AMT: ₹6.17-8.98 lakh
- Turbo MT: ₹8.58-9.64 lakh
- Turbo CVT: ₹9.14-10.76 lakh
- Kuro variants (all powertrains): ₹7.60-9.94 lakh
In select locations, Nissan India offers a government-approved CNG retrofit kit that is covered in the standard warranty of 3 years or 1,00,000km. This option is open only for manual variants.
The Sole Pillar of Support
Nissan India was not always focused on the affordable segment. The company had once sold a mid-size premium sedan named Teana, to even the iconic R35 GT-R. It is rather sad to see such an iconic brand reduced to just a compact crossover (though it is a really good one). Nissan fans are eagerly looking forward to the Nissan Tekton (same platform as the all-new Renault Duster), which could potentially be a great alternative to the lower variants of the segment-leading Hyundai Creta.
FAQs
1. Does Nissan India sell cars other than the Magnite?
Nissan India will soon launch the Gravite MPV (redesigned Triber) and the Tekton compact crossover (Hyundai Creta rival).
2. What is the Bharat NCAP rating of the Nissan Magnite?
Nissan India has not sent the Magnite for Bharat NCAP crash tests. Global NCAP scores stand at 5 stars and 3 stars for Adult and Child Occupant Protection categories, respectively.
3. Are the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger the same car?
Both the Magnite and Kiger are based on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-A+ platform, but are quite different in styling and features.
4. What is the Nissan Magnite’s boot capacity?
At 336 litres, the Nissan Magnite has slightly lower boot capacity than the equivalent Renault Kiger (405 litres).
5. What is the ground clearance of the Nissan Magnite?
The Nissan Magnite offers an impressive ground clearance of 205mm, just like its Renault counterpart.