The Nissan Micra: From a cute dwarf to a chic small car!

Thomas Wachsmuth 7 October 2023 Nissan

Reading time 4 Min.

The Nissan Micra finally says goodbye to the image as a lovely city car and presents itself with a stretched look and more extensive equipment details. What has been racing on the streets for over 30 years has undergone a significant metamorphosis since 2017. You could say that the Micra has finally grown up. With his now 3,99 meter length he leaves the former “puny” image behind and presents good ones 300 liter boot volume, which outshine competitors like the Hyundai i10 and Renault Twingo. The Micra, built in the French Renault factory, also impresses inside with contemporary design and advanced technology, incl. 360 degree all-round vision system and actively intervening Lane Keeping Assist.

the Nissan Micra

Five different equipment lines, from Visia up to Tekna, bring customization options that range from basic features to luxurious details such as Bose sound system, 17-inch alloy wheels or comprehensive security systems. But not everything about the Micra is great, the engine in particular leaves room for more. While the 1,0 liter petrol engine only does so at a leisurely pace 71 PS The 0,9 liter turbo petrol engine delivers 90 PS, but only at higher speeds and the diesel variant 90 PS would be despite the torque of 220 Nm There is still potential for improvement.

The interior combines functionality and modernity. infotainment systems and Navigation feature can be controlled via a touchscreen, and the interior is not only user-friendly, but also significantly more spacious than its predecessor. It's a bit narrower and darker at the back, but it's still comfortable enough to survive longer journeys. The Micra has thanks for families and small transport tasks 60:40 split rear seat and up to 1.004 liters of loading volume, it is suitable for everyday use. Despite the more mature appearance and the solidly expanded space, there is still room for improvement - especially when it comes to the Power goes.

with Safety Package 1

So it will be interesting to see whether future generations of the Micra will really grow up not only on the outside, but also under the hood. When it comes to safety, the Micra plays a big role: with this Safety package 1 he gets the full score of five stars NCAP crash test. Without this it remains at a solid four stars. In terms of price, it still plays in an attractive league. With a starting price of €10.910 and up to €28.683 for the high-end variant, it has a tempting price Price-Performance Ratio, which is rounded off by a three-year guarantee. Photo credit: Nissan

Dimensions and design:

Length: 3,99 meters
V-shaped grille
Deep roof
Striking rear headlights and rising side lines
17 centimeters longer than its predecessor
5 seats and 5 doors

Trunk:

Volume: 300 liter
With seats folded down: 1.004 liters

Engines:

1,0 liter gasoline engine:
- 71 PS
- Torque: 95 Nm
- 0-100 km / h: 15,1 seconds
- Consumption: 4,6 l/100 km
0,9 liter three-cylinder turbo petrol engine:
- 90 PS
- Torque: 140 Nm
- 0-100 km / h: 12,1 seconds
- Top speed: 175 km / h
- Consumption: 4,4 to 4,6 l/100 km
1,5 liter four-cylinder diesel:
- 90 PS
- Torque: 220 Nm
- 0-100 km / h: 11,9 seconds
- Top speed: 179 km / h
- Consumption: 3,2 to 3,5 l/100 km

Handling and driving behavior:

Weight: Over a ton
Turning circle: 10,3 meters
Steering: smooth, direct, and precise
Comfort: acceptable, but problems on bad roads due to stiff chassis
Safety and assistance systems: 360-degree all-round vision system, lane departure warning

Interior and comfort:

Increased freedom of movement compared to the previous model
Space at the rear: acceptable for the vehicle class
60:40 split rear seat backrest
Modern and intuitive operation of the cockpit and infotainment system

Infotainment and equipment:

5 equipment lines: Visia, Visia Plus, Acenta, N-Connecta, and Tekna
Infotainment: 7-inch audio system with touchscreen and Apple CarPlay (depending on equipment line)
Navigation system available
Bose sound system (Tekna)

Safety:

Emergency brake assistant (standard in all equipment lines)
Pedestrian detection (depending on the package selected)
NCAP crash test: 5 out of 5 stars (with Safety Package 1) or 4 stars (basic version)
Lane keeping assistant, blind spot assistant, traffic sign recognition
360 degree all-round vision system (depending on equipment)

Price:

RRP: €10.910 to €28.683

Production:

Production location: Renault factory in Flins, France
Available exterior and interior packages
Three-year guarantee

Conclusion and criticism:

Positive: Exterior design, interior quality, safety and comfort features
Criticism: Performance of the engines, especially in the lower speed range
Further improvements to the engines are necessary
Generally rated positively in terms of suitability for everyday use and value for money