Have you ever counted the number of subcompact SUV options in India? Let’s, just for the sake of it, do that right now. We have the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Honda WR-V. That’s eight. With Mahindra readying the BS6-compliant TUV300, the count will soon go up by one more. And, each one of them has strong points.

Many would agree that nine choices are enough to confuse the buyer. On the positive side, more options mean fiercer competition. That is always good for consumers. Well, by early next year, we’ll have another new sub-4 metre SUV – the Nissan Magnite. The model has just been unveiled in production guise. And, at first glance, it looks promising. Built on the same platform as the Renault Triber, the Magnite will become Nissan’s first-ever subcompact SUV. Moreover, it will expand Nissan India’s locally-produced cars portfolio to two.

Magnite’s silhouette is more on the crossover lines rather than an SUV. Thanks to the imposing hexagonal grille at the front, flared wheel arches, meaty protective cladding and a dual-tone bumper at the back, the SUV looks broader than it is. The dual-tone, 16-inch alloy wheels add flair to the overall design, and the sloping roofline injects a pinch of sportiness.

The SUV’s all-black interior looks sharp and simple. Behind the multifunction steering wheel is a digital instrument cluster which incorporates a 7.0-inch TFT display. At the centre of the dashboard is an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. The screen also takes feed from the 360-degree camera and comes mated to a six-speaker sound system. Beneath it are crisp-looking controls for the automatic climate control.

Obviously, the list of features will vary with the variant. The fully-loaded version will pack everything mentioned above and all-LED headlamps, tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control, ambient lighting, puddle lamps and an air purifier. The Magnite will also offer connected car technology via NissanConnect, wireless mobile charger, rear AC vents, 336-litre boot space, 60:40 split back seat, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and traction control system.

In the powertrain department, the Magnite will have one petrol engine only. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder mill, which also powers the Renault Triber, will be available with or without a turbocharger. In the former form, it should produce 71bhp/96Nm while a 5-speed manual will handle transmission duties. Nissan hasn’t confirmed the power/torque figures for the turbocharged engine. What it did mention is that it will be amongst the most powerful motors in the segment, and will be available with a segment-first CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Expect Nissan to open bookings for the Magnite by the end of the year. With its latest model, the Japanese carmaker aims to disrupt the subcompact SUV space with aggressive pricing. Reports suggest that the entry-level model could start at around Rs 5.5 lakh, which is more than Rs 1 lakh less than the next SUV option. Excited? Or, will you wait for Renault’s version of it?