Nissan Magnite vs Ford Mustang

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.

Nissan Magnite

1.0 KURO 5MT Petrol Manual

Pick a Variant

Swap Car A

ZAR 315,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 53 kW (71 hp)

🔧 96 Nm

⛽ 19 km/l

Ford Mustang

5.0 GT Premium Convertible Automatic Petrol Automatic

Swap Car B

ZAR 1,449,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 338 kW (453 hp)

🔧 515 Nm

⛽ 9.1 km/l

＋

Want to throw in a 3rd car?

Pick a car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Mustang

⛽ Petrol Economy Magnite

🔑 Ownership Cost Tie

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Mustang

/ 100

+18

pts

Magnite

/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

The Bottom Line

Mustang holds a noticeable edge over Magnite, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Mustang +16 pts

Efficiency Magnite +10 pts

Safety Mustang +14 pts

Practicality Magnite +2 pts

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Mustang

Performance 20/20

Efficiency 5/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 10/20

Ownership 12/20

Magnite

Performance 4/20

Efficiency 15/20

Safety 6/20

Practicality 12/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Magnite

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

🏆 Overall Winner

Mustang

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Which One's Right for You?

Magnite

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Mustang

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Ground Clearance	205	134
Wheelbase	2500	2720
Length	3994	4788
Width	1758	1916
Height	1572	1381
Kerb Weight	1035	1815
Gross Vehicle Weight	1500	2245
Seating Capacity	5	4
Boot Space	336	408
Towing Capacity	500	Not Rated
Front Track Width	-	1617
Rear Track Width	-	1607
Turning Radius	-	6.1

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Engine	1.0L Naturally Aspirated Petrol	5.0L Coyote V8 Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 3	V8 DOHC Naturally Aspirated
Displacement	999	4951
Cylinders	3	8
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	53	338
Torque	96	515
Fuel System	Multipoint Injection	Direct Injection
Top Speed	150	250
0-100 km/h	14.5	4.6
Power @ RPM	-	7300 rpm
Torque @ RPM	-	4250 rpm
Turbocharger	-	Not Available
Compression Ratio	-	12.0:1
Engine Position	-	Front Longitudinal

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Transmission	5-Speed Manual	10-Speed Automatic
Drive Type	4x2	RWD
Drivetrain Layout	Front Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive
LSD Available	None	Electronic LSD
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters	-	Standard
Differential Lock	-	Not Applicable

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Claimed Mileage	19	9.1
City Mileage	15	7
Highway Mileage	20	11
Fuel Tank Capacity	40	61
Emission Standard	Euro 6	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	-	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	-	Not Available

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Airbags	2	8
ABS	Yes	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Yes	Standard with Track Mode
Traction Control	Yes	Standard
Hill Descent Control	No	Not Available
Child Safety Lock	Yes	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Yes	Standard
Brake Assist	Yes	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Yes	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Yes	Standard
Hill Start Assist	-	Standard
Alarm System	-	Standard
Central Locking	-	Standard
Side Impact Beams	-	Standard

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Cruise Control	No	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	No	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	No	Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	No	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	No	Not Available
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	No	Standard
360 Degree Camera	No	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	No	Not Available
Lane Departure Warning	-	Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert	-	Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition	-	Not Available

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Seat Material	Fabric	Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Electric 6-Way
Heated Seats	No	Front
Ventilated Seats	No	Front
Steering Type	Electric	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	No	Not Available
Folding Rear Seats	-	Not Available
Front Armrest	-	Standard
Rear Armrest	-	Not Available

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Climate Control	Manual	Automatic AC
Power Windows	Front	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Yes	Standard
Push Button Start	No	Standard
Wireless Charging	No	Not Available
Sunroof	No	Convertible Soft Top
Electric Tailgate	No	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	-	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	-	Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror	-	Standard

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Infotainment Screen	8-inch Touchscreen	12-inch SYNC 4 Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Yes	Wireless
Android Auto	Yes	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Yes	Standard
Number of Speakers	4	8
Navigation System	No	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	-	12.4-inch Full Digital
USB Ports	-	2
Wireless Apple CarPlay	-	Standard

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
LED Headlamps	Halogen	Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	No	LED
Roof Rails	No	Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design	Steel Wheels	19-inch GT Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	-	Not Available
Body Cladding	-	Not Available
Rear Spoiler	-	Rear Spoiler

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Approach Angle	20	-
Departure Angle	28	-
Wading Depth	300	-
Terrain Modes	None	-
Locking Differential	None	-

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Tyre Size	195/60 R16	255/40 R19
Wheel Type	Steel	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Disc	Brembo Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Brembo Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type	-	Space Saver

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam	Independent Multi-Link
Chassis Type	Monocoque	Monocoque
Power Steering	-	Electric
Steering Column	-	Tilt and Telescopic

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	10,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost	Low	Approx R7,000
Battery Warranty	2 Years	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	-	Optional

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	90000	100000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	-	6 Years

Spec	Magnite	Mustang
CO2 Emissions	125	261
Start Stop System	Yes	Not Available
Hybrid System Type	None	Not Applicable
Noise Level	-	72

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Ford Mustang wins with 67 pts vs 49 pts for Magnite

In structured scoring, Mustang emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Magnite may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. 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

Based on structured category scoring, Mustang performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Magnite scores 15 while Mustang scores 5 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, Magnite scores 6 and Mustang scores 20. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

Magnite scores 12 versus Mustang scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives Magnite 12 and Mustang 10, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Magnite scoring 4 compared to Mustang scoring 20, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Mustang may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Mustang performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Mustang the overall advantage.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Magnite and Mustang in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Magnite scores 4 vs 20.

Efficiency: Magnite scores 15 vs 5.

Safety: Magnite scores 6 vs 20.

Practicality: Magnite scores 12 vs 10.

Ownership: Magnite scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Mustang the advantage in this comparison.

Nissan Magnite vs Ford Mustang

Nissan Magnite

Ford Mustang

At a Glance — Who Wins What

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Mustang

Magnite

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Mustang

Magnite

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Magnite

Mustang

Which One's Right for You?

Magnite

Mustang

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down