Nissan Magnite vs Maruti Vitara Brezza comparison

 

Lately, nonetheless, issues have modified. The 2020 facelift dropped the frugal diesel for a 1.5 petrol, and with that went these juicy ‘small-car’ tax breaks, for the reason that petrol engine’s displacement crossed 1,200cc. In consequence, the worth jumped by as a lot as Rs 80,000 in a single day, and with virtually no extra tools at a time when new rivals had been introducing options from luxurious vehicles, the worth proposition did take a success. Furthermore, Maruti added its SHVS mild-hybrid system with engine cease/begin to assist offset the fuel-efficiency deficit shifting to petrol, however that might have solely added to the price.

So, the Brezza of at the moment doesn’t fairly really feel like the worth champ it as soon as was, and to rub salt into that wound, a brand new challenger has come alongside that has actually shaken issues up within the phase. The Nissan Magnite bought everybody’s consideration with its sharp seems to be, critically spectacular tools checklist and a worth that might put some premium hatchbacks to disgrace. And after we drove it, we discovered it had the substance to again up the spec sheet. However might it actually be adequate to beat the most effective within the recreation at its personal recreation?

LITTLE BOXES

A boxy search for SUVs has all the time discovered choice right here in India, and that’s even more true on this phase the place sufficient visible differentiation is required to set them other than hatchbacks of an in any other case related measurement. The Brezza embraces that components wholeheartedly, with a design that’s as sq. as they arrive. The facelift has introduced some much-needed maturity to the look, with distinctive LED entrance and rear lighting signatures, tidier fog lamp housings, a neater, four-slat chrome grille, and extra upmarket wanting 16-inch alloy wheels. This new gunmetal gray and orange dual-tone paint mixture is especially fetching too. The proportions are good, the strains are clear and also you received’t discover any aggressive cuts or creases within the bodywork. It’s a easy design, however that’s what provides it a broader enchantment.

On size, width and wheelbase, the Nissan Magnite is nearly the identical measurement because the Brezza, however its curvier form and a roof that’s a good bit decrease make it appear smaller at first look. It makes up for this, nonetheless, with some very daring particulars, not least of which is its large, chrome-framed grille. That is neatly offset by blade-like vertical LED operating lamps, chrome accents within the fog lamp housing and extremely slim LED headlamps; all of it seems to be very aggressive. The bulging wheel arches work effectively, as does the kink within the window line on the rear, though the big, thickly clad wheel arches and tall floor clearance (205mm to the Brezza’s 198) do serve to focus on the marginally weedier 195-section tyres. The rear is engaging, too, with a sculpted tailgate, sloping windscreen and cut up roof spoiler.

INSIDE JOB

So, with its decrease roof and raked-back glass space, you would possibly assume the Magnite has taken a success on inside area, however you’d be fallacious. Okay, it’s not fairly as a lot as you’ll discover within the tall and roomy Brezza, however you’d by no means name it missing, and it’s nonetheless higher than others within the phase. Within the rear seat, leg, head and shoulder room are all greater than satisfactory; it’s simply that the Brezza has extra in each course. What the Brezza doesn’t have, nonetheless, is a rear AC vent, which Nissan has been certain to place within the Magnite. Each vehicles’ seats have barely agency cushioning, upright backrests and will’ve achieved with a couple of centimetres extra in thigh assist, however these are usually not deal-breaking components for both. Apparently, it’s the Magnite with the bigger boot, albeit solely simply, at 336 litres to the Brezza’s 328.

Magnite’s inside incorporates a up to date design with attention-grabbing shapes and layers; a lot of space for storing on provide too.

It’s on the entrance of the cabin that you simply’ll discover an enormous distinction. The Magnite’s sprint design instantly seems to be up to date and attention-grabbing, what with its Lamborghini-like hexagonal AC vents, uneven centre console, AC knobs with LCD readouts inside them and vibrant screens; sure, plural. Sure, just like the Brezza, it makes use of an all-black color scheme, which is a bit boring, nevertheless it’s livened up with silver accents and a premium-feeling denim-like cloth on the door pads and central armrest. What’s additionally attention-grabbing is that they’ve managed to set the Magnite’s sprint fairly far ahead from the entrance seats, which helps with the sense of area, however they’ve nonetheless managed to include an enormous glove field. The Brezza has a much smaller one, however then it does have a second field on high that may maintain a couple of small gadgets. Cabin high quality, although not within the league of the Korean compact SUVs, remains to be fairly good, with hard-wearing plastics and tight-fitting panels, however then the Magnite just isn’t too far behind, with just a few low-quality bits (just like the flimsy rear-view mirror) marking it down.

The Brezza’s cabin edges forward barely on high quality, however its design is a bit too unusual and it’s beginning to really feel dated.

The Maruti’s cabin is useful, however a bit unusual, and it’s beginning to really feel dated in locations. That is maybe as a result of numerous the controls and switchgear, together with the steering wheel, is similar as in a lot of the older-generation Maruti vehicles. You’ll be able to choose from a bunch of colors to back-light the analogue instrument cluster, which is a cool contact, however we want they’d have integrated the color MID display screen from the likes of the Ciaz and Baleno, particularly now with the brand new mild-hybrid tech. In contrast, the Magnite’s 7.0-inch full-colour instrument display screen, a critically spectacular inclusion on this phase, feels miles forward, with three completely different shows that present pace, revs and gas laptop information in a giant, brilliant and vibrant look that’s straightforward to learn on the transfer.

Magnite’s clear, configurable, full-colour devices display screen works effectively.

And that’s simply one of many many thrilling options you’ll discover within the Nissan. Totally loaded with the non-compulsory Tech Pack, you’ll get wi-fi telephone charging, ambient lighting, a JBL sound system, tyre-pressure monitoring and, impressively for this phase, a 360-degree digicam array and wi-fi Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The Brezza does have a couple of successful gadgets – auto headlamps and wipers and an electrochromic rear-view mirror, however aside from these, its tools checklist is barely common. One factor consumers of both automotive will miss is a sunroof.

Wi-fi Android Auto/Apple CarPlay amongst many phase firsts in Magnite.

DRIVE MODE

For 2 petrol powertrains that make roughly the identical horsepower, these two couldn’t be much less alike. The Nissan makes use of a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol, whereas the Maruti a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol aided by an electrical motor that gives a gentle increase to acceleration at occasions. The Nissan’s torque output is, expectedly, a little bit greater, and whereas the Magnite has a CVT, the Brezza makes use of a 4-speed torque-converter auto.

Maruti’s old-school 4-speed torque-converter auto may be sluggish to reply.

You do get a couple of three-cylinder-typical vibes at idle within the Magnite, nevertheless it smoothens out admirably the second you get shifting. Extra obvious on the transfer, the truth is, is street noise, particularly on coarse surfaces, and, general, the Brezza feels extra refined in any respect speeds.

There are occasions when the Maruti will get noisy however that has extra to do with its gearbox. The old-school 4-speed unit, whereas easy and efficient at low speeds, does really feel a bit sluggish to reply if you attempt to get a transfer on. It wants a agency kick to provoke a downshift, there’s a pause earlier than shifting, and the shift itself may be fairly agency. It will possibly additionally maintain on to gears too lengthy, even in case you don’t imply to, which causes the engine to rev out and make a racket. And whereas the engine cease/begin characteristic is a welcome fuel-saving device, together with the abrupt auto ’field, it takes a little bit getting used to earlier than you possibly can set off easily.

The Magnite’s CVT is miles smoother, and at occasions feels extra like a torque-converter than the Brezza’s gearbox. It’s responsive, however not frantically so off the road, and it eases you thru the turbocharged powerband in a progressive method. And even if you wish to drive aggressively, there’s virtually none of that CVT-typical rubberband impact right here. Although neither automotive will get a guide mode, the Magnite’s CVT has a sport mode, which livens up responses rather well in case you’re in a rush. A very good auto ’field ought to let you take advantage of the engine’s efficiency in quite a lot of conditions, and although the Brezza’s works effectively at low speeds, the Nissan’s powertrain does a a lot better job general.

The Magnite has that good robust mid-range you need out of your turbocharged engine and it does effectively to strengthen the entire SUV character. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated engine has a surprisingly meaty torque band proper from low down, and doesn’t rely as closely on excessive revs like say a Honda i-VTEC engine, which once more, is nice for an SUV. In our efficiency assessments, the Nissan was about 1sec faster to 100kph, at 12.28sec, than the Maruti, with the same hole in timings from 20-80kph in kickdown acceleration. However then the Maruti can be a full 100kg heavier.

On its grippier, wider tyres, the Brezza does encourage a bit extra confidence round corners, and in addition at greater speeds, due to a extra solid-feeling suspension setup. That mentioned, the Magnite isn’t all that far behind in these regards, and it’s solely effectively previous 100kph that you simply’ll maybe wish to ease off a bit. The steering helps, nonetheless, because it weighs up properly as speeds construct, nevertheless it must be mentioned, this isn’t the quickest steering round and would require a couple of extra twirls to execute a U-turn. The Brezza’s steering doesn’t weigh up sufficient as you go quicker, and also you’ll wish to maintain a agency grip on it out on the freeway.

Delicate-hybrid system with engine cease/begin helps save gas within the Vitara Brezza.

Experience consolation is a detailed name too, however the Brezza nearly edges it. It feels just like the extra strong suspension if you’re tackling actually critical bumps, and at decrease speeds it’s bought the softer edge too. The Magnite’s setup does have an underlying firmness, nevertheless it’s to not the purpose of discomfort. Furthermore, as you choose up the tempo, it tackles poor surfaces higher and is a more in-depth match for the Maruti.

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

The Brezza could have moved up from the finances finish of the compact SUV phase, nevertheless it’s grown as a automotive within the course of. It’s now comfier, extra refined and is enhanced with intelligent mild-hybrid tech. Its robust fundamentals haven’t modified both, and with the backing of brand name Maruti, it’s all the time going to have its set of loyalists. The factor is, this solely makes the Magnite’s achievement even greater – a brand new entrant to a massively aggressive phase that may not solely maintain its personal towards the Brezza, however beat it in some key areas, like on the tools checklist. And that it does this at a worth that’s Rs 1.02 lakh decrease than the Suzuki is one thing actually commendable. How have they achieved it? Properly, you do see some indicators – refinement, toughness of construct and inside end – which although nonetheless not dangerous in isolation, do level to the Magnite being constructed to a worth. However what a worth it’s! That it’s the higher worth compact SUV is with out query, however that additionally it is such a powerful product is why it wins this take a look at. 

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