Nissan Magnite AMT in CarToq’s first drive review [Video]

The Japanese carmaker Nissan has been inactive in the Indian market for a long time. Their only product, the Magnite, was the last major introduction. Now, the brand has introduced the new EZ Shift or AMT gearbox in the Magnite. Here’s our take on the new addition.

Nissan Magnite EZ-Shift

The aim behind introducing this new transmission is to make automatic transmissions more accessible to buyers. Nissan already offers the CVT automatic with the Magnite, which is also a fantastic choice, but it may be out of budget for many.

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This transmission is also featured in Renault cars, including the Kiger. It has the typical characteristics of a lazy, noticeable shift like all other AMTs. However, if you primarily drive within city limits, the Magnite AMT would definitely suit your style. It offers simple, easy shifts, which is a boon for manual car drivers stuck in the never-ending traffic snarls of growing Indian cities.

However, taking the Magnite AMT to the highway and flooring the throttle reveals that AMTs still remain crude and simplistic. Overtaking maneuvers require drivers to develop some patience. Additionally, at slower rolling speeds of around 15-20 km/h, the transmission takes time to decide whether to shift up or down. Perhaps, it improves over time as the transmission learns the driver’s behavior and predicts the shifts.

Nonetheless, driving the Nissan Magnite AMT or any other AMT requires learning and skill. Therefore, it is best for new drivers or older individuals who want an automatic car to enjoy their retired life.

No other changes

While Nissan could have taken the opportunity to add a few new features or tweak the looks, the Magnite remains identical. With the new AMT, you do get “EZ-Shift” badges. However, everything else remains exactly the same, including the alloy wheels.

Fortunately, the Magnite doesn’t look outdated. The car incorporates all the modern elements, including sleek all-LED headlamps. However, a facelift could have highlighted the update even more. Nissan has announced that a facelift will arrive next year, which might bring some changes and additional features.

The cabin of the new Magnite remains the same as before. The feature list also seems ample, especially given its positioning in the segment. It has a low-res infotainment system, but offers wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support.

The space is also well-managed, with plenty of utilizable space around the vehicle to hold large water bottles and small items. Even the rear passengers have plenty of room.

While top-end turbo-petrol variants offer a few extra features, including a wireless car charger, the AMT version is only available with the naturally-aspirated engine and misses out on such features.

Should you buy it?

Nissan surprised everyone with an exciting price tag when they first introduced the Magnite in the Indian market. They are likely to bring in a similar price for the AMT. We can expect Nissan to mark-up the price by around Rs 60,000 over the manual variants. Since even the base variant of the Magnite will offer the AMT, we may see a very affordable price tag on the car. Nissan will announce the price later this week, and if done right, this car might become the choice of many first-time car buyers and older couples looking for an automatic SUV with ample space and low maintenance.

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