Nissan Micra: Comeback of the small icon
The Nissan Micra was always cuddly, agile and practical - an ideal small car for the city. No wonder, it was a guarantee of success for the Japanese brand. The new Micra seamlessly continues this tradition.
The first Micra generation came onto the market in 1983. The originally sparse appearance was upgraded with the second generation from 1993, and the Micra was even voted «Car of the Year». There was a technological leap from 2003 with the third generation, which already featured keyless access and also came as a coupé-cabriolet. The fourth generation was offered on 160 markets from 2010 and was replaced by the fifth generation in 2017: sportier, wider and for a more design-savvy target group. But then in 2022, after more than six million sales worldwide, it came to an end - what a shame!
Cool and fresh look
Now the Micra, technically based on the Renault 5, is back - and that's a good thing! It is good for the Nissan brand and is really fun to drive. What's more, the small car icon looks very different from its French technology twin. The narrow, circular LED headlights, which are reminiscent of the round lights on older Micra models, are funny. Clever are the side panels and the striking sills, which give the 3.97 meter long and 1.56 meter wide city runabout additional robustness in everyday use and an SUV-like appearance. 14 color combinations, including two-tone variants with a black or silver roof, complete the successful appearance.
The Fuji is always there
Despite the compact exterior dimensions, there is plenty of space inside, at least in the front, and with 326 to 1106 liters of trunk space, there is also sufficient storage space. The interior is well finished and available in three trim levels: from «Modern» with lots of recycled materials to «Chill» and «Audacious» with artificial leather. The similarity to the R5 is unmistakable, especially in the cockpit with its 10.1-inch infotainment and countless levers and switches around the steering wheel - a shame, as the French car was already suboptimal. On the other hand, there is Google on board for direct access to Google Maps or nice details: the legendary Fuji, Japan's highest mountain at 3776 meters, travels in every Micra as an «Easter egg» on the rubber mat in the center console and in the trunk.
The Micra is only available as an electric model. Either with a 40 kWh battery, which allows ranges of up to 317 kilometers with the 90 kW/122 hp electric drive. Or in a version with 110 kW/150 hp, which should be able to cover up to 416 kilometers thanks to 52 kWh. A button on the steering wheel allows you to switch between driving modes and drive in a sportier (with up to 245 Nm), more comfortable or efficiency-conscious (with just 215 Nm) mode.
The Micra is really fun, sits well on the road, impresses with its direct steering and offers sufficient comfort even on bumpy roads. It's just a shame that you are slowed down at 110 km/h on the highway in Eco mode. This forces us to drive behind trucks or change lanes a lot. Otherwise, the Micra, which is available from 28,200 francs, is convincing. Anyone who wants to be greeted by a cheeky wink and special light graphics in the future should definitely take a look at the Micra.
Two of the same vintage: Laurent Fessy and Nissan Micra
