Suzuki Dzire vs Nissan Magnite

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Suzuki Dzire in South Africa

Suzuki Dzire

1.2 GL+ CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 272,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 60 kW 🔧 113 Nm ⛽ 18.2 km/l
VS
Nissan Magnite in South Africa

Nissan Magnite

1.0 Acenta Plus EZ-Shift Petrol Current
ZAR 323,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 53 kW 🔧 96 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Dzire vs Nissan Magnite: the short answer

Dzire and Magnite are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Both models start at the same price: ZAR 229,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Dzire Magnite
Maximum Power Dzire60 kW Magnite53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque Dzire113 Nm Magnite96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size Dzire1197 cc Magnite999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Dzire18.2 km/l Magnite16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Dzire0 mm Magnite205 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Suzuki Dzire

1.2 GL+ CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Nissan Magnite

1.0 Acenta Plus EZ-Shift

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Dzire

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Magnite

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Dzire

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Magnite

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Dzire Magnite
Model Introduced Year 2026 2021
Generation Current market generation First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment
Facelift History Current market specification 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades
Facelift Launched Since 2026 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment Sedan Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Sedan SUV
Color Note - Brick Red, Storm White, Pearl White, Onyx Black, Gun Grey, Blade Silver
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Front-wheel drive confirmed by Nissan South Africa derivative/specification data
Tare Mass Kg - 1007 kg
Spec Dzire Magnite
Length 3995 mm 3995 mm
Width 1735 mm 1758 mm
Height 1525 mm 1571 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 205 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 37 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 378 l 336 l
Kerb Weight 960 kg 1007 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1450 kg 1399 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg -
Towing Capacity 500 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 5 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm -
Rear Headroom 950 mm -
Front Legroom 1050 mm -
Rear Legroom 900 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This Dzire and Magnite comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Dzire 23 vs Magnite 16.

Efficiency index: Dzire 69 vs Magnite 65.

Safety-equipment index: Dzire 87 vs Magnite 86.

Practicality index: Dzire 48 vs Magnite 64.

Ownership-cover index: Dzire not separately scored vs Magnite not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Magnite leads by 1 points

Dzire and Magnite are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 56 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 67% source coverage
56
#1 Evidence leader

Magnite

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 86 Check Performance 16
Performance 16
Efficiency 65
Safety 86
Practicality 64
Leads by 1 points
55
#2

Dzire

74% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 23
Performance 23
Efficiency 69
Safety 87
Practicality 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Dzire +7 Efficiency Dzire +4 Safety Dzire +1 Practicality Magnite +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Magnite

Performance 16/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 86/100
Practicality 64/100

Dzire

Performance 23/100
Efficiency 69/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 48/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Nissan Magnite leads the specification evidence index with 56 pts vs 55 pts for Dzire

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Magnite leads. However, Dzire may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Dzire vs Magnite questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.