Now in its fourth generation, the current car made its debut in 2011 and was given a subtle facelift two years later. Where previous models featured bold design and top notch quality, the latest version has been built as a low cost ‘world car’ that can be assembled and sold in emerging markets. As a result it suffers from rather awkward exterior styling and a low rent interior. On the plus side, the Micra’s five-door only body is roomy and features a decent 265-litre boot. The Nissan is reasonably well equipped, too.
Buyers can choose from four trim levels: Visia Limited Edition, Visia, Acenta and Tekna. All versions get Bluetooth phone connection, electric front windows, remote central locking and a trip computer. Acenta trim adds cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, alloys wheels and a leather steering wheel, while the flagship Tekna features sat-nav, keyless entry and parking sensors.
The only engine option is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit that’s available in naturally aspirated and supercharged guises. The Former delivers 79bhp and emits 115g/km of CO2, while the latter produces 97bhp yet emits as little as 95g/km. Both get a slick five-speed manual as standard, while a CVT automatic transmission is available as an optional extra.
Light controls and good visibility make the Micra a doddle to drive around town, plus it’s easy to park. However, with its lifeless steering, low levels of grip and average body control, the Nissan can’t match models such as the Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 for driving fun. Finally, a choppy ride and poor refinement combine to make the Micra far from relaxing on long journeys.
Our choice: Micra 1.2 Acenta
The latest Nissan Micra has lost the distinctive looks of its
predecessor, but the current car’s more grown-up design is more likely
to appeal to a wider audience. Even so, Nissan updated the Micra in
2013, adding all-new front wings, a new bonnet, new headlights and a
rear bumper to help create a cleaner look that’s more in line wit the
brand’s latest family look.
The Nissan Micra is available in four trim levels: Visia Limited Edition, Visia, Acenta and Tekna. The Nissan Micra Visia is fairly basic, and it goes without kit such as alloy wheels and front fog lamps, while air-conditioning costs an extra £500 (unless you opt for the supercharged DiG-S engine, in which case air-con is standard). Even so, it does get body coloured bumpers, USB connectivity, Bluetooth phone connection, electric front windows and stability control.
The mid-range Nissan Micra Acenta models get 15-inch alloy wheels, body coloured door handles and mirrors as well as chrome finishes in the interior, more safety features and auto headlamps.
The Tekna adds parking sensors, keyless entry unique alloy wheels and a roof-mounted spoiler. The flagship model also gets a touchscreen sat-nav, as well as Google technology that allows you to use your phone and access your music library.
Yet despite this big car kit, the Micra feels a little low rent inside. There’s nothing wrong with the robust fit and finish, but the materials used throughout look and feel cheap. Some of the trim even has sharp edges left over from the moulding process - the glovebox lid and the internal door handles are among the worst offenders.
The Nissan Micra is available in four trim levels: Visia Limited Edition, Visia, Acenta and Tekna. The Nissan Micra Visia is fairly basic, and it goes without kit such as alloy wheels and front fog lamps, while air-conditioning costs an extra £500 (unless you opt for the supercharged DiG-S engine, in which case air-con is standard). Even so, it does get body coloured bumpers, USB connectivity, Bluetooth phone connection, electric front windows and stability control.
The mid-range Nissan Micra Acenta models get 15-inch alloy wheels, body coloured door handles and mirrors as well as chrome finishes in the interior, more safety features and auto headlamps.
The Tekna adds parking sensors, keyless entry unique alloy wheels and a roof-mounted spoiler. The flagship model also gets a touchscreen sat-nav, as well as Google technology that allows you to use your phone and access your music library.
Yet despite this big car kit, the Micra feels a little low rent inside. There’s nothing wrong with the robust fit and finish, but the materials used throughout look and feel cheap. Some of the trim even has sharp edges left over from the moulding process - the glovebox lid and the internal door handles are among the worst offenders.
In spite of its flaws, the Nissan Micra is great as a city runabout as a
result of its good visibility, light steering and responsive controls.
It also benefits from a tight-turning circle, meaning navigating busy
urban areas is a breeze.
The 1.2-litre petrol engines that power the Nissan Micra won't amaze you with their performance and in many respects, the naturally aspirated 79bhp unit is the better bet, as it’s cheaper to buy yet doesn’t feel much slower than the 99bhp supercharged DiG-S unit.
Regardless of engine choice, the Micra feels a little out of its depth through a series of corners. The light steering lacks feedback, there’s plenty of body roll and it can’t match rivals such as the Ford Fiesta for grip. Still, it’s safe and predictable, while the high-set driving position and excellent visibility make it easy to place on the road.
Unfortunately, at higher speeds the Nissan Micra's suspension doesn’t feel up to the job of dealing with rough roads, and it feels crashy and a little unsettled. The engine makes a racket in the cabin and there’s a lot of wind and road noise, too.
The 1.2-litre petrol engines that power the Nissan Micra won't amaze you with their performance and in many respects, the naturally aspirated 79bhp unit is the better bet, as it’s cheaper to buy yet doesn’t feel much slower than the 99bhp supercharged DiG-S unit.
Regardless of engine choice, the Micra feels a little out of its depth through a series of corners. The light steering lacks feedback, there’s plenty of body roll and it can’t match rivals such as the Ford Fiesta for grip. Still, it’s safe and predictable, while the high-set driving position and excellent visibility make it easy to place on the road.
Unfortunately, at higher speeds the Nissan Micra's suspension doesn’t feel up to the job of dealing with rough roads, and it feels crashy and a little unsettled. The engine makes a racket in the cabin and there’s a lot of wind and road noise, too.
In our 2014 Driver Power survey, the Nissan Micra didn't feature in the top 150 cars, but in the previous survey, it managed to achieve a respectable 24th place – a result that can be largely attributed to the car’s reliability and low running costs – although owners also praised the Nissan Micra’s technology. However, Nissan finished 22nd in the 2014 Driver Power manufacturers' rating - a pretty significant 10-place drop from 2013.
The Nissan Micra also received a disappointing rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. It only managed four stars and this is a severe disadvantage in a class and an industry where five-star ratings are becoming the norm.
Even so, all Nissan Micra models get six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control as standard safety kit. What’s missing is the option to add the brand’s award winning Safety Shield kit that includes low speed collision avoidance and blind spot monitoring.
Thanks to its wheel at each corner design, the Nissan Micra is actually
quite roomy for such a small car. For starters, there's enough room for
relatively tall adults to sit in the back seats, plus there’s 265
litres of boot space, which is around what you'd expect from a
supermini. You can fold down the rear seats to increase the capacity in
the boot of the Nissan Micra to 1,132 litres, but only mid-range Acenta
and top-spec Tekna versions come with split-folding seats – entry-level
models get a single piece bench.
Having said that, the entry-level Nissan Micra Visia still has a bigger boot than the likes of the Suzuki Swift or the Hyundai i20. There's also plenty of storage space in the cabin, including a huge, double-decker glovebox, decent-sized door bins and a couple of cup holders.
Having said that, the entry-level Nissan Micra Visia still has a bigger boot than the likes of the Suzuki Swift or the Hyundai i20. There's also plenty of storage space in the cabin, including a huge, double-decker glovebox, decent-sized door bins and a couple of cup holders.
You'd expect a supermini to be cheap to run, and the Nissan Micra is
exactly that. While it doesn't come with a diesel engine, the petrols
are frugal and feature reasonably low CO2 emissions
For instance, the standard three-cylinder 79bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine returns fuel economy of 56.5mpg and emits 115g/km of CO2. It doesn't feel excessively slow and it reaches 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds, meaning it feels nippy and responsive, even on the open road.
Those after a mix of performance and economy should opt for the slightly more powerful and stop/start equipped 97bhp DIG-S supercharged engine, which improves the Nissan Micra both in terms of efficiency and power, as in Visia guise it manages 68.9mpg on a combined cycle and emits 95g/km of CO2 (the heavier Acenta and Tekna versions claim 65.7mpg and 99g/km).
For instance, the standard three-cylinder 79bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine returns fuel economy of 56.5mpg and emits 115g/km of CO2. It doesn't feel excessively slow and it reaches 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds, meaning it feels nippy and responsive, even on the open road.
Those after a mix of performance and economy should opt for the slightly more powerful and stop/start equipped 97bhp DIG-S supercharged engine, which improves the Nissan Micra both in terms of efficiency and power, as in Visia guise it manages 68.9mpg on a combined cycle and emits 95g/km of CO2 (the heavier Acenta and Tekna versions claim 65.7mpg and 99g/km).
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