Nissan’s Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue Rival Teased Again, Launch Soon

It will enter the most populated segment in the country, competing with veterans such as Ford EcoSport and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Update (02/12/2020): Nissan has launched the Magnite with prices beginning from Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

• Nissan’s upcoming sub-4m SUV likely to be named Magnite. 
• India launch expected by September 2020. 
• Petrol-only offering with two engines on offer. 
• Most powerful turbo-petrol would get a CVT automatic option. 
• Prices to begin from around Rs 5.5 lakh. 

Nissan India is planning to enter the crowded sub-4m SUV space with a brand new offering. Expected to be called the Magnite, the SUV was teased at a recent virtual business event, Nissan Next - Mid-term 2020-23 Plan. 

Like its rivals the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Venue, the Magnite will have a crossover profile, somewhat similar to its elder sibling, the Kicks. With the limited cues from the teaser, we expect the Magnite to have a dual-tone paint scheme, large Datsun-like grille, LED headlamps, and split LED DRLs up front. The rear will have a wrap-around LED tail lamp and a spoiler. 

The Magnite should be a spacious offering as it will be based on the Renault Triber’s platform. The Triber with its best-in-segment wheelbase of 2,636mm is known for a roomy cabin. Nissan is yet to reveal the Magnite’s interior. Some of the expected features include 360-degree camera support, remote engine start, large touchscreen, four airbags, and a digital instrument cluster. Nissan is unlikely to miss out on a sunroof given that most of the SUVs in the segment offer one. 

As expected, the Magnite will be a petrol-only SUV like its other Renault-Nissan siblings. Engine options could be a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated unit, same as the Triber (72PS/96Nm), mated to a 5-speed manual. The other unit could be a 1.0-litre turbo that’s likely to belt out 100PS. It is expected to get the option of a CVT along with a manual. 

• Nissan Kicks 2020 vs Rivals: What Do The Prices Say?

Internally codenamed EM2, the Nissan SUV is supposed to officially hit showrooms by September (first half of FY 2020-21). However, given the ongoing pandemic and lockdown, its launch might be pushed a little further. Its Renault counterpart (codenamed HBC) is likely to come around Diwali with completely different styling while being identical underneath. This scheme of work is similar to what Hyundai-Kia has done with Creta and Seltos. 

It will take on sub-4m SUVs such as the Vitara Brezza, Venue, EcoSport, Nexon, XUV300, and Honda WR-V. While all these SUVs start from around Rs 7 lakh, Nissan is expected to play the pricing card and bring it from around the Rs 5.5-lakh mark. The Magnite will be joined by Kia Sonet in August, while Renault HBC (Kiger) will join the party soon after.

Read More on : Nissan Magnite on road price