April 4, 2017

Interior quality, practicality and comfort, sexy body styling and athletic engine under the bonnet make Nissan Micra a very impressive supermini

Introduction:

The Nissan Micra is a supermini made by Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan since 1982. The Micra came up in five generations including first generation (K10; 1982–1992), second generation (K11; 1992–2003), third generation (K12; 2002–2010), fourth generation (K13; 2010–2016) and the fifth generation (K14; 2017–present). The new Nissan Micra casts away the dry image of precursors to become a top supermini. The Nissan Micra has had a complete makeover, with this latest model finally able to compete properly with opponents such as the Volkswagen Polo and Renault Clio. It’s sexy and good to drive, with a quality interior including plenty of kit and safety features. In fact, it’s one of the most-refined cars of recent years, and any prospective supermini buyers should definitely have the Micra on their shortlist. Even the enthusiastic drivers will discover something to like in the Nissan, and while it’s not top of its class, it does have a striking spread of abilities.

Engines in Nissan Micra:

There are two engines available in the Micra at launch, a 1.0-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. We’ve only been able to drive the petrol so far, which has 88bhp and 140Nm of torque thanks to a small turbocharger. It’s a punchy enough unit, but falls behind similar 1.0-litre engines in the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. Those engines are more engaging, with the Micra’s smaller petrol getting the job done rather than enjoying it along the way. There’s a bit of background thrum, but it’s lacking character for a three-cylinder engine. The 1.5-Litre diesel also has 88bhp, but with 22Nm of torque it’s faster than the petrol, taking 11.9 seconds to go from 0-62mph (the petrol does it in 12.1 seconds). It’s much more economical as well, some models managing over 88mpg. A third engine will join the Micra range soon: the non-turbo 1.0-litre engine has 72bhp and 95Nm of torque, so will suit buyers looking for a model with a lower insurance group rating.

Interior Specifications:

With its sweeping lines, floating roof and angled bonnet the new Micra is certainly striking. It’s a revolutionary look for the car, and it’s easy to see just how different this Micra is from the dumpy previous model. There’s something of the Renault Clio about it too, with the hidden rear door handles being an obvious parallel. Get inside and the changes are similarly huge, with a high-quality feel in evidence throughout. The contrasting color schemes are optional, and will appeal to drivers looking to make more of a statement, but overall the design is neat and smart. The material quality is high as well, with soft-touch finishes in all the right places, although there are some cheaper bits lower down.

Size:

With 3.99m length, 1.74m width and 1.45m height, the new Micra is a totally different structure to before - it’s longer and wider, but lower than the last car. It’s slightly longer and wider than a VW Polo, which is 3.97m long and 1.68m wide.