Nissan Magnite AMT First Drive Review: Easy, And On The Money

SUVs today offer diverse choices not only in terms of shape and size but also in terms of powertrain options. Take the Nissan Magnite, for instance. It has always been a capable SUV, but its 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine lacked an automatic transmission. Nissan has now addressed the issue by offering an AMT (Automated-Manual Transmission) with this engine, which undoubtedly adds a sense of convenience to the Magnite. So, the question is, if it’s enough to make this SUV the right companion for you. Let’s find out.

Nissan Magnite AMT: Heart of the Matter

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the Magnite has been in the market for ages now. We have experienced it in cars like the Renault Triber and Kiger. In the Magnite, it feels like an able companion that can get things moving. Step on the pedal, and you will see the revs climb with a sense of haste, muck like the first-row student eager to finish an entire textbook within a month. While the power is spread out across the rev range, you really get into the meat of things once you cross the 3,000rpm mark, providing a significant boost in the performance.

Also Read: Citroen C3 Aircross Review: A Better SUV Than Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara?

With that, however, also begins a bit of a problem. You see, Nissan has managed to do a great job in terms of engine vibrations; however, it still remains a bit loud. And given that it’s a three-cylinder, the exhaust note isn’t, let’s say, something that you would look forward to. In short, all you get is noise. So, it’s a good idea to keep this engine below the 3,000rpm mark while cruising.

Nissan Magnite AMT: Getting a Move on

Now, let’s talk about the other part of the powertrain – the transmission. As already mentioned, the new Magnite now gets an AMT, which brings a host of new features, such as ESC, traction control, and hill-hold assist. What’s even better is that the AMT is available across variants, which means that it’s available at different price points. So, how good are its shifts?

To be honest, it depends on your mood or circumstances. If you are stuck in city traffic or are cruising at a sedate pace, there’s not much to complain about. The gearing is tall, which means that you can stick to a gear for longer durations, and the shift quality is smooth too. It behaves like a true automatic in the sense that it doesn’t require a lot of effort from the driver to be in the right gear at the right time.

Also Read: Honda Elevate Review: Better SUV Than Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Hyundai Creta?

However, it falls short when you are in a hurry and decide to floor the throttle. In such cases, the AMT exhibits a delay in response, causing the engine to rev high while the gearbox attempts to catch up. It simply can’t keep up with your demand to hasten. So, counterintuitively, the only way to go fast is to keep it slow. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Magnite can roll back on an incline during the process, which can be very unnerving for new drivers.

Nissan Magnite AMT: New Shirt

The Magnite continues to sport the same design as before; however, Nissan has given it a new blue and black dual-tone colour, which looks stunning, especially on a bright sunny day. There’s a new Magnite Kuro edition on offer, which gets an all-black treatment.

Nissan Magnite AMT: New Car?

Overall, the Nissan Magnite’s AMT transmission is definitely a big update; however, in the grand scheme of things, it is still the same old Magnite. Not that it’s a bad thing, for the ride quality is excellent, and, like always, it’s still an excellent value-for-money proposition. The only difference is that it now offers you the added convenience of an automatic transmission, without frills.