Nissan Micra review (2017-2022)
It seems like the Nissan Micra has been with us forever. The first Micra hit the road back in 1993, and since then it has gone through almost as many transformations as Doctor Who. One thing that’s stayed the same is its lofty position as a supermini, attracting legions of fans with its practicality and low running costs, especially around town. Dive into our road-tested Nissan Micra review below.
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Pros
- Smart looks
- Comfortable ride
- Great fuel economy
Cons
- Limited rear space
- Rivals are more fun to drive
Interior
Our rating: 7/10
When revamping the Micra, Nissan wisely took the decision to pay as much attention to the interior as to the exterior looks of the car – after all, that’s where you’ll be most of the time as the driver.
The result has been a cabin that may well be the best in class. The instruments are clear and easy to see, and all the switches and other controls are logical and close at hand.
Driving position
Even though it’s a small car, there’s plenty of room for tall drivers. Getting comfortable is easy too, with a height-adjustable seat and a position-adjustable steering wheel that the driver can raise or lower and even move towards or away.
Rear visibility is also an issue for the driver. The combination of a small rear window and wide rear pillars mean you really do need the parking sensors fitted on higher-spec models.
Tech and features
Those higher-spec models also come with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen whose limited size can make some of the icons too small to use properly on the move.
Sat-nav is also only available on cars with the Vision Pack. Luckily, there’s a fast and easy connection to most smartphone mapping services.
Performance
Our rating: 7/10
Handling and ride comfort
One of the problems most superminis face is that they can never provide the smooth ride of bigger cars.
The stiffish suspension Nissan used to give the Micra a sportier feel doesn’t help in this respect, so when you hit a pothole, it can be a bit of a teeth-rattler.
At higher speeds on A-roads and motorways, this isn’t such an issue.
The light and responsive steering makes it a great car for nipping around town, although it can feel a little too light if you’re cornering at speed when you’re out on the open road.
Practicality
Our rating: 5/10
Boot space
With Micra and storage, the clue’s in the name. You’re never going to get all that flatpack furniture home in the back or even head for the airport with four full-sized suitcases.
It's perfectly capable of swallowing up pushchairs or golf clubs, however, and all the luggage you need for a few days away from home.
In terms of the competition, if it’s boot capacity you’re looking for then the Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Ford Fiesta will all offer you more.
The flipside is that the Micra is shorter than all of these so can squeeze into tighter parking spaces.
Storage solutions
There’s not a tremendous amount of space for all those essentials like tissues, gum and drinks bottles in the cabin, so travelling light is the way to go.
Rear seats
Back-seat passengers aren’t so lucky though – the sloping roof means adults are always just a pothole away from banging their heads on the roof.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
Fuel economy
A car like the Micra is never going to break the bank when it comes to running costs. The petrol version promises 52.3-56.5mpg, with the diesel delivering a consistently thrifty 52.3mpg.
When it comes to choosing between them, bear in mind you’ll pay more initially for a diesel model and then the fuel will be that bit more expensive too.
The verdict
Interior
7/10
Performance
7/10
Practicality
5/10
Running costs
8/10
Micra’s target driver has always fallen at two ends of the spectrum – pre-family and those wanting to downsize after the kids have flown the nest.
Keep that in mind and don't expect stacks of space, and you'll be alright.
If you're just after a compact hatchback that's manageable around town and light on fuel, the Micra makes sense, but many of its supermini rivals have it beat in most key areas.
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