The Indian made Nissan Magnite achieved a five star result for adult and three stars for child occupant safety.
In a process of continuous improvement, Nissan introduced a series of safety enhancements to the Magnite, such as six airbags and electronic stability control (ESC), after which it submitted the model for a voluntary round of testing. This series of tests returned a much-improved four star rating. Not satisfied, Nissan further improved the Magnite, submitting it for a second voluntary test. As a result of this, it has become the first car in the South African market under Global NCAP’s current protocols to attain the much sought after five star rating.
In this latest Global NCAP crash test, the Magnite was rated five stars for adult occupant and three stars for child occupant protection. This new result is a dramatic improvement in safety from the previous model (equipped with 2 airbags as standard) which had been rated two stars for both adult and child protection, demonstrating what can be done and critically how quickly it can be achieved when vehicle safety is prioritised.
The new version, launched in South Africa and India, includes as standard, six airbags, ESC, enhanced pedestrian protection, improved restraint systems and 3-point seat belts for all occupants.
Global NCAP’s crash test protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all models, as well as ESC. Pedestrian protection and side pole impact protection assessments are required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings(**).
Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer, Global NCAP, said:
“It’s very welcome to see Nissan’s focus on improving the Magnite’s safety performance. The five star rating is relevant to consumers in South Africa and India and it demonstrates what can be achieved in a relatively short period of time when a manufacturer is fully committed to engage in the NCAP process.”
Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association of South Africa, said:
Nissan’s leap from a two to five-star safety rating for the Magnite is more than just an achievement – it’s a vital step toward safer cars and roads for everyone. This sends a strong message to the entire industry: investing in vehicle safety isn’t just good practice, it saves lives. The AA will continue to advocate for safer vehicles and empower consumers with trusted, transparent safety information.
“The association is very happy that Nissan South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle has attained the much sought after Global NCAP five-star rating and that Nissan has taken the safety of their South African customers to heart with the facelifted Magnite.”
Maciej Klenkiewicz, Managing Director, Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets, said:
“This milestone is a powerful testament to Nissan’s unwavering commitment to safety and innovation. Elevating the Magnite from a two- to a five-star safety rating in such a short timeframe is not just a technical achievement – it reflects our deep responsibility to protect the lives of our customers and their families. As our best-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa, the Magnite now sets a new benchmark in its class. This recognition by Global NCAP reinforces our ambition to make advanced safety accessible, and it inspires us to continue raising the bar across our product range. We are proud to lead this shift toward safer roads in South Africa and beyond.”
Nissan Magnite – 6 airbags (from VIN: MDHFBADD0Z0037139)
Read the full crash test report
Download the crash test images
Nissan Magnite – 6 airbags (from VIN: MDHFBADD0Z0030551)
Read the full crash test report
Download the crash test images
Nissan Magnite – 2 airbags (until VIN: MDHFBADD0Z0030551)
Read the full crash test report
Download the crash test images
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Note to Editors
The #SaferCarsForAfrica Campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2017.
Global NCAP is a major programme of the Towards Zero Founda<on, a UK based charity working internationally in support of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a goal of halving road deaths and injuries by 2030.
About Global NCAP
Launched in 2011, Global NCAP is a programme of the UK registered charity the Towards Zero Foundation. Global NCAP serves as a platform for cooperation among NCAPs worldwide, providing financial, technical and advocacy support to new programmes in emerging markets. Global NCAP leads the Stop the Crash Partnership and has consultative status with the UN (ECOSOC), is a member of the UN Road Safety Collaboration, and an observer at the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Standards.
In 2016, Global NCAP received the Premier Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for outstanding achievement in vehicle safety. In 2020, the Towards Zero Foundation achieved the Premier Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for the #50by30 advocacy campaign.
About The Automobile Association of South Africa
The Automobile Association (AA) has been the trusted champion of the South African motorist and traveller for over 90 years. Along with our AA Accredited Sales Agents located countrywide, the AA offers access to over 50 benefits on 1 card as well as other travel and mobility services that extend far beyond 24-hour roadside assistance – from technical and legal advice to emergency rescue services, roadside security and a mobile app suite. The AA offers specialised apprenticeships to help motor industry players build in-house skill, and short skill courses for individuals.
The Automobile Association of South Africa is a member of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT).