Nissan recently launched the all-new 2021 Nissan Magnite BS6 in India. The new Nissan Magnite is the company's first sub-4-metre compact SUV in the Indian market. Nissan is betting big on the new Magnite and the company has priced it very aggressively. The introductory price of the all-new 2021 Nissan Magnite BS6 starts at Rs. 4.99 lakhs and it goes all the way up to Rs. 9.59 lakhs. All prices stick to Ex-showroom Delhi. At this price point, the Magnite undercuts all its direct rivals and it is even more affordable than some premium hatchbacks currently on sale in the country. So, today we thought of comparing it with the base variant of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Here, we have for you a detailed specification-based comparison of the new 2021 Nissan Magnite XE vs the Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 Sigma Base Model.
2021 Nissan Magnite XE vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 Sigma - Price Comparison
| Make and Model | Price (Ex-showroom Delhi) |
| Nissan Magnite XE | Rs. 4.99 lakhs* |
| Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma | Rs. 5.63 lakhs |
Nissan Magnite XE vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma - Looks and Colour Options
Well, looks are subjective and it totally depends on you, which one will be more appealing to you. However, talking in general, the Magnite does look more striking than the Baleno and it has a new-age design theme which will certainly attract the youths. The Magnite gets a macho design language with slim halogen headlamps in the base variant. It gets a bold grille with subtle chrome accents, steel rims, roof rails, body-coloured door handles, etc. But, at the rear, it does get some fancy elements like all-LED taillamps, a roof-mounted spoiler, rear wiper with defogger, etc. The base variant XE of the Nissan Magnite XE is only available in two colour shades. They are Blade Silver and Storm White. All in all, it does look good, considering its price.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a good-looking premium hatchback. However, the base variant of the car doesn't get any fancy elements at all. At the front, one can see the asymmetrical signature grille of the Baleno with Maruti Suzuki's bold logo. Then, we have halogen headlamps, steel rims, body-coloured ORVMs and door handles, etc. At the rear, the base Sigma variant of the Baleno gets a roof-mounted spoiler, halogen taillamps, etc. All in all, it looks decent but lacks the charm. The Sigma variant of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 is available in all the five colour variants. They are Pearl Arctic White, Nexa Blue, Metallic Premium Silver Metallic Magma Grey and Pearl Phoenix Red. Which car looks appealing to you? Tell us in the comments!
Nissan Magnite XE vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma - Dimensions and Capacity
| Specification | Nissan Magnite | Maruti Suzuki Baleno |
| Length | 3994 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width | 1758 mm | 1745 mm |
| Height | 1572 mm | 1510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm | 2520 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm | 170 mm |
| Boot Space | 336-litres | 339-litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 40-litres | 37-litres |
| Kern Weight | 939 kgs | 865 kgs |
| Tyre Size (Base Model) | 195/60 R16 | 185/65 R15 |
| Tyre Size (Top Model) | 195/60 R16 | 195/55 R16 |
Nissan Magnite XE vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma - Engine, Transmission and Mileage
| Model | Magnite XE | Baleno Sigma |
| Petrol Engine | 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated | 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated |
| Maximum Power | 72 PS at 6250 RPM | 83 PS at 6000 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 96 Nm at 3500 RPM | 113 Nm at 4200 RPM |
| Gearbox | 5-speed Manual | 5-speed Manual |
| Mileage MT | 18.75 kmpl (ARAI-claimed) | 21.01 kmpl (ARAI-claimed) |
| Emission Norm | BS6 | BS6 |
The base XE variant of the Nissan Magnite gets a sole naturally-aspirated petrol engine only. It is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. This motor churns out 72 PS of power at 6250 RPM and 96 Nm of peak torque at 3500 RPM. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and its ARAI-claimed mileage figure is 18.75 kmpl. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno's Sigma variant, on the other hand, is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.2-litre K12B naturally-aspirated petrol engine. This petrol motor churns out 83 PS of power at 6000 RPM and 113 Nm of torque at 4200 RPM. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox only in this variant and its ARAI-claimed fuel economy figure is rated at 21.01 kmpl.
Nissan Magnite XE vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 Sigma - Creature Comforts and Safety Features
Safety Features
| Safety Features | Magnite XE | Baleno Sigma |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Front Airbags | Yes | Yes |
| High-Speed Alert System | Yes | Yes |
| Engine Immobilizer | Yes | Yes |
| Reverse Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Reverse Parking Camera | No | No |
| Pretensioners And Force Limiter Seatbelts | Yes | Yes |
| Driver and Co-Driver Seat Belt Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Seat Belts | Yes | Yes |
| Central Locking | No | Yes |
| Child Safety Locks | Yes | Yes |
| Isofix Child Seat Mounts | No | Yes |
| Headlamp levelling | Yes | Yes |
| Rear defogger | Yes | No |
| Global NCAP Crash Test Rating | Awaited | Awaited |
As these are base variants, both the cars are barely loaded with any sorts of creature comfort features. However, both the new Nissan Magnite XE as well as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma base model get some basic and mandatory safety features as standard across all the variants. These safety features include dual front airbags, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and Brake Assist (BA), seat-belt reminders, high-speed alert system, reverse parking sensors, etc. The other safety kits (see table above) and the creature comfort features of the Nissan Magnite XE and the Maruti Baleno Sigma you can see in the table below:
Creature Comforts
| Features | Magnite XE | Baleno Sigma |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable headrest | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Power Windows Front | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows Rear | Yes | No |
| Power Boot | Yes | Yes |
| Air Conditioner with Heater | Yes (Manual) | Yes (Manual) |
| Rear AC Vents | No | No |
| Multifunction Steering Wheel | No | No |
| Adjustable Steering Wheel | Yes (Tilt) | Yes (Tilt) |
| Rear wiper | Yes | No |
| Audio System | No | No |
2021 Nissan Magnite vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 - Price Comparison
| Make and Model | Price (Ex-showroom Delhi) |
| Nissan Magnite Manual Variants | Rs. 4.99 lakhs - Rs. 8.69 lakhs |
| Nissan Magnite Automatic Variants | Rs. 7.89 lakhs - Rs. 9.59 lakhs |
| Maruti Suzuki Baleno Manual Variants | Rs. 5.63 lakhs - Rs. 7.89 lakhs |
| Maruti Suzuki Baleno Automatic Variants | Rs. 7.76 lakhs - Rs. 8.96 lakhs |
So, this was our detailed specification-based comparison of the base model XE of the new 2021 Nissan Magnite vs the Maruti Suzuki Baleno BS6 Sigma variant. Now, between this premium hatchback and the sub-compact SUV, which one will be your personal pick? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below. You can also join our 91Wheels Auto Enthusiast Telegram group (click via mobile to join) curated exclusively for the fans, enthusiasts and the owners. Further, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more such amazing motoring updates.
*Note: Nissan Magnite's Prices are Introductory and will be valid for only those customers who book their car before December 31, 2020. The prices will be hiked from January 1, 2021. Maruti Suzuki will also hike the prices of their cars from January 1, 2021.
