The Nissan Magnite has secured a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating. The Magnite is made at Nissan’s India plant for the domestic market and export markets like South Africa, and it underwent multiple rounds of testing. Nissan sent the pre-facelift, facelift and a modified version of the facelifted compact SUV.
- Pre-facelift Nissan Magnite scored 2 stars
- Facelift achieved a 4-star rating initially
- Nissan then upgraded it and voluntarily sent it for testing again
Nissan Magnite GNCAP crash test first round
Pre-facelift Magnite scores 2-star Global NCAP rating under new norms.
The pre-facelift model (produced before October 2024) was the first to be tested, and it scored 2 stars each for adult and child occupancy. This Magnite was equipped with just 2 airbags, did not get ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and ISOFIX anchors as standard, and did not meet pedestrian protection norms. Interestingly, the pre-facelift Nissan Magnite tested under Global NCAP’s older norms (phased out in July 2022) managed a 4-star adult occupancy and a 2-star child occupancy safety rating.
While no side pole impact test was conducted, the pre-facelift Magnite scored 10.036 out of 16 points in the frontal offset deformable barrier test, and 14.454 out of 16 points in the side movable deformable barrier test. The total adult occupancy score was 24.49 out of 34 points, with GNCAP noting that the driver’s chest showed weak protection, and the driver’s knees and passenger’s left knee showed marginal protection.
Pre-facelift Magnite got 2-star child occupancy protection rating.
The pre-facelift Magnite’s total child occupancy score of 18.39 out of a maximum 49 points is on the poor side. It managed a 14.59/24 dynamic score, a 3.8/12 in CSR installation, and a 0/13 in terms of vehicle assessment. It was noted that the 3-year-old dummy’s head was exposed during a frontal collision, and the chest also received weak protection. Further, protection for the 18-month-old dummy’s chest was also rated weak.
Nissan Magnite GNCAP crash test second round
Magnite facelift initially got a 4-star GNCAP safety rating.
Next, Global NCAP tested the Nissan Magnite facelift that has been on sale in India since October 2024. This model comes with 6 airbags, ESC and ISOFIX mounts as standard, and meets pedestrian protection norms. The Magnite facelift secured a 4-star adult occupancy rating, with a score of 26.51 out of 34 points. While the compact SUV’s score in the side movable deformable barrier test improved by over 1.5 points to 16/16, its performance in the frontal offset deformable barrier test was only marginally better at 10.51/16. A side pole impact test was also conducted, and the model was rated ok, with the head, abdomen and pelvis showing good protection, and the chest showing adequate protection. The Magnite facelift showed the same weaknesses in frontal offset deformable barrier test as the pre-facelift model.
Magnite facelift secures 4-star child occupancy rating.
In terms of child occupancy protection, the Magnite facelift improved on its predecessor’s score by a significant amount, managing a 4-star rating with a score of 36/49. The dynamic score increased to 20/24, while the vehicle assessment score improved to 4/13; the Magnite facelift scored a full 12/12 in CRS installation.
However, Nissan was not satisfied with the 4-star rating and is said to have further improved the Magnite, submitting it for another voluntary test.
Nissan Magnite GNCAP crash test third round
Nissan upgraded the Magnite to get a 5-star GNCAP safety rating.
While the exact upgrades have not been mentioned, the facelifted Magnite was sent for another round of tests where it secured a 5-star rating. This version of the Magnite got 32.31/34 points in adult occupancy protection, as the compact SUV managed to achieve 15.307/16 points in the frontal offset deformable barrier test. Protection for the driver and front passenger were rated good to adequate, helping it achieve the 5-star rating. The other scores – the side movable deformable barrier, side pole impact tests are identical to the previously tested Magnite. However, the child occupancy rating, interestingly, dropped to 3 stars, with with dynamic, CSR and vehicle assessment scores of 15.64/24, 12/12, and 6/13, respectively. This was because protection for the 3-year-old dummy's head was rated poor.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
