2026 Nissan Gravite Short Review: What We Liked & What Needs To Improve

Nissan has, for a good few years, been struggling to expand its portfolio, but now, with a renewed strategy and focus, the carmaker wants to change that. And the first product to bear fruit out of this is the new Gravite, which wants to shake up the entry-level segment by offering a 7-seater at the price of a hatchback. But is it reflective of a new Nissan India? Let’s find out:

Nissan Gravite Looks

Yes, the Gravite is based on the Renault Triber, and it does not try to hide that fact in its proportions. It still has the upright stance, the stretched-out side profile and the pointy headlamps that make its relations quite clear. However, it has been ‘Japanese-fied’ with pretty significant changes for a sharper and more youthful design.

You, of course, have the unmistakable C-shaped accents on the bumpers, an interesting-looking gloss black honeycomb grille, bold decals, funky wheel covers and the black taillamp casing. A bit too ‘out-there’, sure, but that’s also what makes it appealing. This doesn’t look anything like what your neighbourhood taxi guy, or for that matter, even your grumpy building secretary would drive.

Nissan Gravite Space & Quality

Look at the numbers and the space inside the Gravite will deceive you. It is nothing less than a marvel of packaging that it can seat 7 adults fairly comfortably, and there are some thoughtful touches that convey the fact that Nissan really thought about giving buyers all the flexibility.

For starters, you have dedicated AC vents for all three rows, a sliding, reclining and tumbling second row to make access easier and even a fully removable last row, which creates a mammoth 625 litres of boot space to haul luggage around. 

There are some limitations, like the second row being a bit narrow for three adults or the proper knees-up position for the last row, but even for using it as a comfortable 4- or 5-seater, the Gravite makes for a pretty darn good case for itself.

Even for the driver, the seat goes light on bolstering, and thus, feels spacious. It is placed quite high up, too, which boosts confidence, especially for new drivers.

Quality levels inside are quite consistent. This is no luxury car, and there are hard plastics everywhere, but the fit-and-finish levels, textures used and tactility of switchgear all feel to be of consistently good levels.

Nissan Gravite Tech

The strong first impressions go further into the feature list. There is a surprising amount of luxuries inside for a car of its class. First up, you have the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is quick, hassle-free and easy to navigate through. It also gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, which makes life a lot easier. Then there is the wireless charger, which works well and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster with an easy-to-read layout that adds a premium touch.

Other Features

There are a few omissions like automatic climate control, alloy wheels or a better quality rear view camera, but they all feel good-to-haves and not essentials. Overall, it comes across as a well-equipped package, and most will have no reason to complain.

Nissan Gravite Boot Space

With all rows up, the Gravite’s boot is modest, and can fit two soft office bags at most, but the real trick up its sleeve is the removable third row, which gives it a massive 625 litres of luggage-carrying capacity. What makes this even better is the low loading lip and the boxy shape of the cabin, which makes stacking bags easier.

Of course, if that’s not enough for you, the second row also folds down completely if you want to transport ponies or motorcycles, or just make it into a bed (I don’t judge). 

Nissan Gravite Drive & Ride

This ride and handling setup keeps the Gravite comfortable for all occupants. In the city at low speeds, and on pothole-ridden stretches, the suspension feels quite plush, and all but the largest of bumps are dealt with silently and effectively. On the open roads, there is some vertical movement, but the car settles down quickly.

Even while handling curves, the Gravite is predictable and composed, and there are no surprises to be found. Furthermore, the steering also weighs up well, offering a balanced mix of light and easy operation in the city, and a weightier and confidence-inspiring feel at higher speeds.

On the other hand, it is the engine that reminds you of its budget-conscious nature. With a 1-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine under the hood, this MPV is best driven sedately, as pushing it makes it feel strained and loud. To counter the low output of the engine, Nissan has cleverly given it short gear ratios in the manual transmission-equipped Gravite we had for this test, which certainly helps mask the effect to an extent, although with long throws and notchy shifts.

However, this also brings up a few more irritants, like an over-eager first gear that can make you stall the car easily in bumper-to-bumper traffic or the fact that it keeps the engine spinning faster and louder than you would expect while on the highways.

Overall, it does its job just fine, but this is not a car that will excite you. It feels best when driven smoothly and in a relaxed manner. Notably, Nissan also offers a 5-speed AMT with the Gravite, but we recommend you go for the manual only, given its light clutch and the AMT’s jerky nature (as we have seen in the larger Magnite before).

Nissan Gravite Safety

For its price, the Gravite gets plenty of safety tech that should keep most buyers happy. Standard safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat anchors and 3-point seatbelts for all occupants. 

Higher variants will also get you front parking sensors, rear wiper and washer, rear defogger, rain-sensing wipers and a rear view camera.

To Summarise

This product is an important pivot for Nissan’s India operations, and while we will see more ‘original’ products from the brand soon, the Gravite could play a key role in pulling in consistent volumes- something Nissan needs badly. That said, this is a good attempt as well. The MPV is spacious, comfortable, feature-loaded and offers the sort of flexibility that few cars do at this price point without being too vanilla.

Yes, the engine feels a bit dreary, and you could always do with some nicer tech inside, but at a starting price of Rs 5.65 lakh (ex-showroom), is there really even a reason to complain? 

Would you pick the Gravite over its rivals? Comment down below!