Suzuki Jimny vs Nissan Magnite

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Suzuki Jimny in South Africa

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 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

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Jimny
Fuel Economy Magnite
🛡 Safety Jimny
📦 Practicality Magnite
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
Magnite starts ZAR 215,000 cheaper Jimny from ZAR 444,900 · Magnite from ZAR 229,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Jimny Magnite
Maximum Power 75 kW @ 6000 rpm 53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque 130 Nm @ 4000 rpm 96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size 1462 cc 999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 15.9 km/l 16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 210 mm 205 mm
Boot / Load Bay 85 l 336 l
Airbags 6 6 airbags
Kerb Weight 1110 kg 1007 kg
Seating Capacity 4 seats 5 seats
Warranty 5 6 years / 150,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

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

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Jimny +13 pts
Efficiency Magnite +4 pts
Safety Jimny +2 pts
Practicality Magnite +20 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Catalogue-index leader

Jimny

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

Magnite

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

Which One's Right for You?

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Magnite

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Jimny Magnite
Model Introduced Year 2019 2021
Generation Fourth generation (JB74 series); entirely new K15B engine replaces previous K13B; AllGrip Pro 4WD system replaces previous generation's 4WD setup; new body retains ladder-frame construction and live rear axle from all previous generations First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment
Facelift History Fourth-generation Jimny launched globally in 2018 and in SA in 2019; minor specification updates in 2021 including updated connectivity; 5-door Jimny Sierra launched globally in 2023 but not confirmed for SA as of end-2025; no mechanical changes to the 3-door SA model since launch 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl Brick Red, Storm White, Pearl White, Onyx Black, Gun Grey, Blade Silver
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Front-wheel drive confirmed by Nissan South Africa derivative/specification data
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published Active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1115 kg 1007 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec Jimny Magnite
Length 3625 mm 3995 mm
Width 1645 mm 1758 mm
Height 1720 mm 1571 mm
Wheelbase 2250 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 205 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 85 l 336 l
Kerb Weight 1110 kg 1007 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1435 kg 1399 kg
Payload Capacity 325 kg -
Towing Capacity 1300 kg -
Seating Capacity 4 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 3 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.9 m 5 m
Front Headroom 990 mm -
Rear Headroom 910 mm -
Front Legroom 900 mm -
Rear Legroom 600 mm -

Source-backed Catalogue Index

A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.

Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout

Jimny leads by 1 points

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

Index leader 57 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 93% source coverage
57
#1 Index leader

Jimny

93% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 61
Safety 88
Practicality 44
Ownership 71
Leads by 1 points
56
#2

Magnite

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 86 Check Performance 16
Performance 16
Efficiency 65
Safety 86
Practicality 64
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Jimny +13 Efficiency Magnite +4 Safety Jimny +2 Practicality Magnite +20

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader

Jimny

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 44/100
Ownership 71/100

Magnite

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

How to Read This Comparison

🏆 Suzuki Jimny leads the catalogue index with 57 pts vs 56 pts for Magnite

In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, Jimny leads. However, Magnite may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

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

Performance index: Jimny 29 vs Magnite 16.

Efficiency index: Jimny 61 vs Magnite 65.

Safety-equipment index: Jimny 88 vs Magnite 86.

Practicality index: Jimny 44 vs Magnite 64.

Ownership-cover index: Jimny 71 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.