LEPAS L4 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.

LEPAS L4 in South Africa

LEPAS L4

1.5T Pantera 6DCT Petrol 6-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 419,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 108 kW 🔧 225 Nm ⛽ 14.3 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

LEPAS L4 vs Nissan Magnite: the short answer

L4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Magnite starts ZAR 70,000 cheaper L4 from ZAR 299,900 · Magnite from ZAR 229,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification L4 Magnite
Maximum Power L4108 kW @ 5500 rpm Magnite53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque L4225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm Magnite96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size L41499 cc Magnite999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy L414.3 km/l Magnite16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance L4160 mm Magnite205 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

L4

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?

L4

  • 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 L4 Magnite
Model Introduced Year 2026 2021
Generation First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment
Facelift History The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026. 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades
Facelift Launched Since 2026 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Compact SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type SUV 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 L4 Magnite
Length 4406 mm 3995 mm
Width 1820 mm 1758 mm
Height 1635 mm 1571 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 160 mm 205 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 170 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 458 l 336 l
Kerb Weight 1346 kg 1007 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1844 kg 1399 kg
Payload Capacity 498 kg -
Towing Capacity 1200 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.275 m 5 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm -
Rear Headroom 975 mm -
Front Legroom 1040 mm -
Rear Legroom 890 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This L4 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: L4 47 vs Magnite 16.

Efficiency index: L4 56 vs Magnite 65.

Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs Magnite 86.

Practicality index: L4 59 vs Magnite 64.

Ownership-cover index: L4 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

L4 leads by 8 points

L4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 83% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

L4

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 59
Leads by 8 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 L4 +31 Efficiency Magnite +9 Safety L4 +6 Practicality Magnite +5

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

L4

Performance 47/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 59/100

Magnite

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index LEPAS L4 leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 56 pts for Magnite

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, L4 leads. However, Magnite may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

L4 vs Magnite questions

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.