Special Feature: Nothing but Nissan

Japanese engineering is a thing and it has its fans all over the world, especially when it comes to automobiles. And Nissan, one of the world’s most well-regarded automakers, is among the prime proponents of a philosophy that has produced stylish, reliable, and powerful cars all over the world for the last several decades.

Nissan has had a long and illustrious history. Set up in the early 1900s, it has always been at the forefront of innovation in the areas of vehicle engineering, development and production. Over the last 90-odd years, it has produced a variety of outstanding cars, including the 350Z, Bluebird and the GT-R.

The same philosophy of innovation and reliability characterises Nissans sold in India, and these include its two star SUVs — the Kicks and the Magnite.

The Kicks is Nissan’s funky spin on the midsize SUV and an amalgam of traditional SUV strengths with crossover proportions. The latest iteration of the Nissan Kicks features the powerful Nissan Turbo engine and the widely acclaimed X-tronic CVT. With the Magnite, launched earlier this year, Nissan has upended traditional notions about compact SUVs. Despite being temptingly feature-packed, the Magnite presents terrific value. Not surprisingly, the Magnite, which looks cutting-edge and has the go to match the show, has garnered over 65,000 bookings since its launch late last year. The Nissan Magnite comes with several stand-out and segment-first features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and it is also the first car in its class to get a 360-degree reversing camera and display. With Vehicle Dynamic Control, traction control and hill start assist, it’s also got safety covered.

But since the proof of the pudding is in the eating, we spoke to two Nissan owners to find out more about why they picked the Kicks and the Magnite over other cars and how it has made a difference to their lives.

Virat Joshi 34, engineer

I researched a lot before choosing the Nissan Magnite over several other cars on my list. I was especially impressed by how well it’s been packaged and how it fits my life. It’s lively, has enough space, and has been built with the customer in mind. It didn’t take me long to sign on the dotted line for it.

I haven’t had a chance to drive it a lot since I took delivery of the Magnite, but a few things stand out for me. I love the engine’s refinement and the way it delivers power. I opted for the 72hp, 1.0-litre engine with the manual gearbox and it fits my needs perfectly. The cabin is extremely well-equipped and there is space all around. The feature I love most is the auto climate control, which is fantastic regardless of how hot it is outside. Ergonomics are another strong point of the Magnite. The seats are very comfortable and the footwell has been so designed that the driver can rest his right foot as and when required. That makes for very comfortable driving. My experience at the Nissan dealership in Pune was fuss-free and I have enjoyed my ownership experience so far.

Praful Asher 37, software consultant

I have always been a fan of Japanese cars and own a sedan as well. I believe Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan have their aftersales and service sorted, and I speak from experience here. So, it didn’t take me too long to pick the Nissan Kicks. I was looking for a powerful, well-built SUV and the Kicks ticked all the right boxes. It drove well and had great ground clearance that helped me ride roughshod over speed breakers. I am also a big fan of the Kicks’ ergonomic interiors. Gadgets and gizmos are not really my thing, but the Kicks had enough of those to keep me happy.

I have driven over 3,800km in the two months since I bought the Kicks XV Premium Turbo 1.3 CVT, and I have enjoyed every bit of it. The Kicks feels extremely stable and planted on the highway, and there is ample power on tap, especially for someone who is a defensive driver like I am. The CVT shifts smoothly and cleanly, and I had a great experience on a recent drive from Pune to Bengaluru.

The Kicks had a quick check-up at the service centre at around the 2,000km mark, and I’m happy with the way that went. Is there another Nissan I’d like to own? I’ve recommended the Kicks to a bunch of people, but I’d really love to get my hands on the GT-R!