In January 2021, Nissan increased the price of just one Magnite variant – the entry-level XE. The change was of half-a-lakh rupees, which bumped up Magnite’s starting price from Rs 4.99 lakh to Rs 5.49 lakh. Now, a similar development has come to light. Only this time, it is much more significant. If you’re after any of the turbocharged variants, you’d have to spend a bit more. All of Magnite’s turbo-petrol derivatives now cost Rs 30,000 more than they did before. The table below lays the numbers out for you:

Courtesy of the price hike, the Nissan Magnite becomes a tiny bit more expensive than its step-sibling – the Renault Kiger. That costs between Rs 5.45 lakh and Rs 9.55 lakh. Besides more aggressive pricing, the Kiger outshines the Magnite in one other important aspect. The Renault offers an automatic gearbox option (AMT) with the naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre engine.

The Magnite, like the Kiger, offers 71bhp/96Nm from that non-turbocharged powerplant. However, it is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. That combo can return up to 18.75kmpl. Those who want a bit more oomph will choose the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mill, which produces 99bhp/160Nm (152Nm with CVT). The gutsier engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. Mileage: 20kmpl. But if you want a two-pedal setup, you can have it coupled to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Mileage: 17.7kmpl.

Some of the features on offer with the Nissan Magnite are automatic climate control, push-button start/stop, cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 7.0-inch TFT within the instrument cluster and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Magnite also comes with an around-view monitor, 16-inch alloy wheels, wireless mobile charger and NissanConnect with 50+ connected-car features.

Apart from taking a swing at the Renault Kiger, the Nissan Magnite also locks horns with the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, Ford EcoSport, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Honda WR-V, Tata Nexon and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Considering how aggressively it is priced, the Magnite also wants to steal some market share from hatchbacks like the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Ford Figo, and sedans such as the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Ford Aspire.