Nissan Magnite vs Ford Puma

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 Puma

1.0T EcoBoost ST-Line Automatic Petrol Automatic

Swap Car B

ZAR 459,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 92 kW (123 hp)

🔧 170 Nm

⛽ 16.4 km/l

＋

Want to throw in a 3rd car?

Pick a car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Puma

⛽ Petrol Economy Magnite

🔑 Ownership Cost Tie

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Puma

/ 100

+12

pts

Magnite

/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

The Bottom Line

Puma has a slight advantage, but Magnite remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Puma +4 pts

Efficiency Magnite +6 pts

Safety Puma +14 pts

Practicality Equal

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Puma

Performance 8/20

Efficiency 9/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 12/20

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

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

🏆 Overall Winner

Puma

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Which One's Right for You?

Magnite

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Puma

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Ground Clearance	205	170
Wheelbase	2500	2594
Length	3994	4186
Width	1758	1805
Height	1572	1531
Kerb Weight	1035	1325
Gross Vehicle Weight	1500	1775
Seating Capacity	5	5
Boot Space	336	456
Towing Capacity	500	1200
Front Track Width	-	1541
Rear Track Width	-	1534
Turning Radius	-	5.4

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Engine	1.0L Naturally Aspirated Petrol	1.0L EcoBoost Mild Hybrid
Engine Type	Inline 3	Inline 3 Cylinder Turbo Mild Hybrid
Displacement	999	999
Cylinders	3	3
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	53	92
Torque	96	170
Fuel System	Multipoint Injection	Direct Injection
Top Speed	150	185
0-100 km/h	14.5	10.5
Power @ RPM	-	6000 rpm
Torque @ RPM	-	2000-4500 rpm
Turbocharger	-	Single Turbo
Compression Ratio	-	10.5:1
Engine Position	-	Front Transverse

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Transmission	5-Speed Manual	7-Speed Automatic DCT
Drive Type	4x2	FWD
Drivetrain Layout	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	None	Not Available
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters	-	Standard
Differential Lock	-	Not Applicable

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Claimed Mileage	19	16.4
City Mileage	15	12
Highway Mileage	20	18
Fuel Tank Capacity	40	42
Emission Standard	Euro 6	Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity	-	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	-	Standard

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Airbags	2	8
ABS	Yes	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Yes	Standard
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	Puma
Cruise Control	No	Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control	No	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	No	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	No	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	No	Standard
Parking Sensors	Rear	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	No	Standard
360 Degree Camera	No	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	No	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	-	Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert	-	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	-	Standard

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Seat Material	Fabric	Sport Partial Leather
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Electric 6-Way
Heated Seats	No	Front
Ventilated Seats	No	Not Available
Steering Type	Electric	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	No	Ambient Sport Lighting
Folding Rear Seats	-	60/40 Split
Front Armrest	-	Standard
Rear Armrest	-	Standard

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

Spec	Magnite	Puma
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	6
Navigation System	No	Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster	-	12-inch Full Digital
USB Ports	-	3
Wireless Apple CarPlay	-	Standard

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

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

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Tyre Size	195/60 R16	225/40 R19
Wheel Type	Steel	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Solid Disc
Spare Wheel Type	-	Tyre Repair Kit

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

Spec	Magnite	Puma
Service Interval	15000 km / 12 months	15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost	Low	Approx R5,000
Battery Warranty	2 Years	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	-	Optional

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

Spec	Magnite	Puma
CO2 Emissions	125	118
Start Stop System	Yes	Standard
Hybrid System Type	None	Mild Hybrid
Noise Level	-	67

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Ford Puma wins with 61 pts vs 49 pts for Magnite

In structured scoring, Puma 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, Puma performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Magnite scores 15 while Puma scores 9 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

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

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

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

Performance category shows Magnite scoring 4 compared to Puma scoring 8, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Puma 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. Puma performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

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

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

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

Performance: Magnite scores 4 vs 8.

Efficiency: Magnite scores 15 vs 9.

Safety: Magnite scores 6 vs 20.

Practicality: Magnite scores 12 vs 12.

Ownership: Magnite scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Puma the advantage in this comparison.

Nissan Magnite vs Ford Puma

Nissan Magnite

Ford Puma

At a Glance — Who Wins What

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Puma

Magnite

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Puma

Magnite

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Magnite

Puma

Which One's Right for You?

Magnite

Puma

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