Nissan MICRA review
The Nissan MICRA is back, but not as you remember it. Several generations ago, it was little more than a standard hatchback, but now it’s an all-electric supermini that’s fun to drive, packed with character and makes the best use of technology without being hard to use. Read our full Nissan MICRA review to find out more.
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Pros
- Genuinely fun to drive
- Strong real-world efficiency
- Good mix of tech and hardware
Cons
- Rear passenger space is a bit tight
- Some rivals have higher safety scores
Interior
Our rating: 9/10
Driving position
Despite its chunky exterior design that gives it an almost baby-crossover style, the Nissan MICRA feels very trendy inside. Much like the Renault 5 E-Tech on which it’s based.
Unlike many electric cars that feel compromised by a raised floor (caused by the battery pack underneath), you can sit very low in the MICRA. It’s a bit of a cliché in the world of cars, but it almost feels like a go-kart.
There’s plenty of seating and steering wheel adjustment, but don’t expect high-end electric seats in the MICRA. It’s all manual levers and knobs, which is totally fine.
Together with its Renault 5 cousin, the MICRA is one of the nicest electric superminis to sit in, especially if you like things more on the sporty side.
Tech and features
Nissan MICRA trims
– ENGAGE
– ADVANCE
– EVOLVE
First thing’s first: understanding trim levels. There are three, but they’re not all pairable with the same battery packs.
ADVANCE is the only model available with Standard Range (40kWh) and Extended Range (52kWh) options, with ENGAGE limited to the smaller battery, and EVOLVE getting the bigger pack.
Thankfully, the specs are really easy to understand because Nissan hasn’t overcomplicated things. All models come with the essentials, like a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The system is actually a near-carbon copy of the Renault 5’s... and that’s a theme throughout. Most of the electronics, switchgear and components are lifted straight out of the Renault.
The infotainment system is slightly slicker to use than the standard Nissan kit you get in, say, a Juke, but emerging brands like BYD have better systems still.
Thankfully, there are still a few shortcut buttons on the dash and centre console to access things like the climate control, so it’s really easy to use on the go. We’re big fans of that.
ADVANCE is a nice middle ground, because you get a bigger digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, interior ambient lighting and more. It’s probably the one to go for, not least because it’s also the cheapest way to get into the longer-range MICRA.
It also gets front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Our test car was the top-spec EVOLVE, kitted out with a nine-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system and heating for the front seats and steering wheel.
Performance
Our rating: 9/10
Electric motors and power
Nissan MICRA performance stats
– Power: 120hp or 150hp
– 0-62mph: 8.0 to 9.0 seconds
– Top speed: Up to 93mph
– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
The two electric motors are also borrowed from Renault, but don’t be put off by the relatively low power figures. As we’ve already learned from the R5 E-Tech, and after spending a week with the MICRA, it feels quicker.
The instant throttle response means it’s quick off the line at the traffic lights, and it doesn't sweat over a motorway slip road.
Unlike the Renault ZOE, which came before the Renault 5, the MICRA doesn’t struggle with grip being a front-wheel-drive car.
For an affordable city runaround, it’s a perfect middle ground and quicker than the Citroën ë-C3 (113hp). But if you’re after more power, consider a MINI Cooper Electric, with 184hp, 218hp and 258hp options.
Handling and ride comfort
The all-new, all-electric Nissan MICRA is a hoot to drive thanks to the low driving position and relative lightness compared with some other electric hatchbacks.
Steering is light enough to not be tiring, but it’s still direct enough to give the car some agility into quick turns.
And despite riding on the bigger 18-inch wheels, it’s really comfortable and composed. Those Renault ties are good news, again, because independent rear multi-link suspension is a notable upgrade over other small superminis. It’s usually a setup reserved for bigger cars.
We also love the varying levels of regenerative braking, which goes all the way down to Nissan’s ‘e-Pedal’ one-pedal driving system.
Eco, Comfort and Sport modes also offer enough variation in driving styles, which can be hard to do when there’s only 120-150hp to play with. Sport tightens things up nicely and makes it feel like more of a baby sports car.
Overall, we would consider the Nissan MICRA one of the best-driving cars in its class.
Practicality
Our rating: 8/10
Boot space
Nissan MICRA boot space:
– Boot space: 326 litres
– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,106 litres
The 326-litre boot is about as good as it gets this side of family hatchbacks, which can cost £10,000 more (when new).
It’s slightly ahead of the Citroën ë-C3 (310 litres) and BYD DOLPHIN SURF (308 litres), and a major leap forward over the MINI Cooper Electric (210 litres).
There’s also extra storage under the boot floor if you want to keep your charging cables out of sight.
Rear seats
Remember that the MICRA is a supermini, or compact hatchback, so it’ll never win any awards for rear-seat space. Still, two adults could make do for shorter trips and kids will be absolutely fine.
There’s not much less space than in the bigger Peugeot E-308, and for its class, it’s about average.
We love the hidden rear door handles, which add to the MICRA's sporty looks, but it means getting in and out is far easier than the MINI Cooper Electric.
Storage solutions
There’s only so much you can do with a car this small, but Nissan’s had a go at it. The door bins are a useful size, the centre console includes a small, covered storage and there are a few USB-C ports inside.
There’s also a wireless phone charger on top-spec models, or a convenient phone-shaped pocket on lower trims, under the dash, and a small groove to catch coins and the like.
Nissan MICRA dimensions
– Height: 1,499mm
– Width: 1,830mm (excl. door mirrors)
– Length: 3,974mm
– Kerb weight: Up to 1,524kg
Safety
The MICRA received a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with slightly lower scores for safety assist systems.
Standard kit includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), driver monitoring and lane departure warning, but you have to pay for ADVANCE to get rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, rear AEB and adaptive cruise control.
We’re never fans of restricting safety kit to higher trims.
The BYD DOLPHIN SURF for a five-star rating, though four- and even three-star ratings aren’t that uncommon at this end of the market.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
Nissan MICRA: electric range, battery and charging
– Range: 196 to 257 miles
– Battery size: 40kWh to 52kWh
– Max charging speed: 80kW to 100kW
– Charge port location: Front left
– Charge time (AC): Under 6 hours (40kWh) to 7.5 hours (52kWh) with a 7kW charger
– Charge time (DC): 15-80% in 30 minutes
– Efficiency: 4.2 to 4.4 mi/kWh (claimed)
Its size and lightness are helpful for maximising the MICRA’s range, because despite the small 40kWh battery, the cheapest model will still do very nearly 200 miles. You can get another 50-60 miles of range from the bigger 52kWh battery.
This is because it’s highly efficient, rated at 4.2 to 4.4 miles per kWh, and we didn’t get far off that even on a long motorway drive at 70mph.
11kW AC charging tops up the battery pretty quickly (under four hours for the 40kWh battery), but most homes are limited to 7kW anyway.
15-80% in 30 minutes is normal for this class of car, so even though it only supports 80-100kW rapid charging speeds, don’t be alarmed. Remember, it’s a small battery.
It’s marginally quicker than 10-80% in 30 minutes for the BYD DOLPHIN SURF.
Reliability
Although the MICRA is a new car, the Renault 5 E-Tech has been around for a bit now, so we know it’ll be reliable.
Nissan also has its own, separate track record with EV reliability, having been building the LEAF for over a decade.
As with most manufacturers, the battery gets its own eight-year warranty to protect against excessive wear.
The verdict
Interior
9/10
Performance
9/10
Practicality
8/10
Running costs
8/10
The Nissan MICRA has returned as an all-electric supermini, and it’s probably one of the most distinctive-looking cars out there.
It’s proof that small electric cars can be genuinely desirable – not just box-ticking exercises to keep costs low. And yes, costs are kept low.
Its comfort, handling and efficiency impress, and there’s a trim and battery configuration for most drivers.
Although some rivals have more performance, the Nissan MICRA somehow manages to be the full package, yet most configurations still cost under the £25,000 mark from new.
Whether or not you should buy one over its Renault 5 E-Tech cousin is up to styling preference, but if you’re weighing up between a MICRA and one of its many rivals, it’s an easy choice that falls in favour of this baby Nissan.
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