Nissan Magnite vs Toyota Starlet

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.

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
VS
Toyota Starlet in South Africa

Toyota Starlet

1.0T XR CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 319,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 72 kW 🔧 140 Nm ⛽ 16.7 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Nissan Magnite vs Toyota Starlet: the short answer

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

Magnite starts ZAR 15,000 cheaper Magnite from ZAR 229,900 · Starlet from ZAR 244,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Magnite Starlet
Maximum Power Magnite53 kW @ 6250 rpm Starlet72 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque Magnite96 Nm @ 3500 rpm Starlet140 Nm
Engine Size Magnite999 cc Starlet996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Magnite16.9 km/l Starlet16.7 km/l
Ground Clearance Magnite205 mm Starlet162 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.

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

Toyota Starlet

1.0T XR 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

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)

Magnite

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

Starlet

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

Which One's Right for You?

Magnite

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Starlet

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Magnite Starlet
Model Introduced Year 2021 2020
Generation First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment First generation Starlet in South Africa on B-segment platform
Facelift History 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades Minor updates since launch
Facelift Launched Since 2023 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Hatchback
Color Note Brick Red, Storm White, Pearl White, Onyx Black, Gun Grey, Blade Silver White, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Front-wheel drive confirmed by Nissan South Africa derivative/specification data -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact SUV Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 1007 kg 1005 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Hatchback
Spec Magnite Starlet
Length 3995 mm 3995 mm
Width 1758 mm 1695 mm
Height 1571 mm 1520 mm
Wheelbase 2500 mm 2520 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 205 mm 162 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 336 l 265 l
Kerb Weight 1007 kg 1005 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1399 kg 1420 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5 m 4.9 m
Payload Capacity - 415 kg
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 125 mm
Towing Capacity - 1600 kg
Front Headroom - 982 mm
Rear Headroom - 955 mm
Front Legroom - 1030 mm
Rear Legroom - 885 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Magnite and Starlet 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: Magnite 16 vs Starlet 32.

Efficiency index: Magnite 65 vs Starlet 66.

Safety-equipment index: Magnite 86 vs Starlet 98.

Practicality index: Magnite 64 vs Starlet 53.

Ownership-cover index: Magnite not separately scored vs Starlet 43.

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

Starlet leads by 3 points

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

Evidence leader 59 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 90% source coverage
59
#1 Evidence leader

Starlet

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Performance 32
Performance 32
Efficiency 66
Safety 98
Practicality 53
Ownership 43
Leads by 3 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 Starlet +16 Efficiency Starlet +1 Safety Starlet +12 Practicality Magnite +11

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Starlet

Performance 32/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 53/100
Ownership 43/100

Magnite

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota Starlet leads the specification evidence index with 59 pts vs 56 pts for Magnite

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

Magnite vs Starlet 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.