The Nissan Micra is a great choice if you want a small car but do lots of long journeys because it’s quiet, comfortable and relaxing to drive. It also has many driver safety systems that help take the stress out of driving, which many other superminis lack. The Micra’s also nippy around town, easy to park and good value for money.
The current Nissan Micra has been sold since 2017, replacing a version sold from 2010 to 2017. Here, we’re looking at the current version.
The Micra is a practical five-door hatchback, available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines. A few updates were introduced in 2019, including a more powerful 1.0-litre petrol engine and the option of an automatic gearbox. All the engines are quiet and smooth, and give good acceleration.
You have many models to choose from, starting with the entry-level Visia to the top-of-the-range Tekna. The models have different styling details, wheel designs, badges and interior trim. If you prefer a sporty look, the N-Sport provides it. Every model is well equipped for this type of car.
All Micra models come well equipped for a supermini. Even the entry-level Visia has air con, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and DAB radio. All other models have a touchscreen infotainment display with smartphone connectivity, and cruise control. The top-spec Tekna model is very well equipped, with standard features including sat nav, a 360-degree parking camera, part-leather seats and a BOSE surround-sound stereo.
According to official figures, petrol Micra models give average fuel economy of 40-60mpg, depending on which engine is fitted. The more popular ‘IG-T’ petrol engines give around 50mpg. The 1.5-litre ‘dCi’ diesel engine can give up to 68mpg. Road tax costs are low and the Micra’s high level of safety features helps keep insurance premiums low. Considering its many features, the Micra is very good value.
Certain specifications fall into insurance group 1 keeping your car insurance premiums affordable, find out which.
Most car manufacturers have a supermini in their range so there are a lot to choose from besides the Micra, including the Renault Clio, the Skoda Fabia and the Citroen C3. The Micra stands out for its style, safety features and smooth drive.
The Micra has five doors and five seats. There’s ample space for four adults, although you don’t get as much back seat headroom as in some rival cars. The Micra is more family-friendly than some rivals, however, with three sets of Isofix child seat mounts, including one on the front passenger seat. The boot’s a good size, too, big enough for a family’s weekly food shopping.
The Micra is Nissan’s only ‘conventional’ new hatchback on sale. There’s also the bigger Leaf hatchback, but that’s an electric car that isn’t available with petrol or diesel engines like the Micra. All of Nissan’s other cars are SUVs, of which the Juke is closest in size to the Micra.
The Micra is one of the safest superminis. Safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded it a full five-star rating. All models come with driver safety systems including lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam headlights and automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians stepping out in front of the car.
Nissan Micra
2007 (57) - 1.5 dCi Visia 3dr
Nissan Micra
2013 - 1.2 Visia 5-Door
Nissan Micra
2012 (12) - 1.2 12V Shiro Euro 5 5dr
Nissan Micra
2015 (64) - 1.2 Visia Euro 5 5dr
Nissan Micra
2012 (12) - 1.2 Acenta 5dr
Nissan Micra
2010 (10) - 1.2 80 Visia 3dr
Nissan Micra
2009 (09) - 1.2 Visia 5dr
Nissan Micra
2008 (58) - 1.4 16v Tekna Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual (154 g/km, 87 bhp)
Nissan Micra
2009 (59) - 1.2 80 Visia 3dr
Nissan Micra
2013 - 1.2 12V Visia 5-Door
Nissan Micra
2022 - 1.0 IG-T 92 Tekna 5dr
Nissan Micra
2012 (61) - 1.2 DiG-S Acenta 5dr
Nissan Micra
2020 (20) - 1.0 DIG-T 117 Tekna 5dr
Nissan Micra
2009 (59) - 1.2 80 Visia 5dr
Nissan Micra
2017 (67) - 1.5 dCi Tekna 5dr
Nissan Micra
2020 - 1.0 IG-T 100 N-Sport 5dr
Nissan Micra
2012 (62) - 1.2 Acenta CVT Euro 5 5dr
Nissan Micra
2015 - 1.2 Acenta 5dr CVT
Nissan Micra
2018 (68) - 0.9 IG-T Tekna 5dr