UK Drive: Nissan’s Micra is a stylish, well-priced supermini that falls just short of the mark

What is it?

This is the latest, fifth-generation of the Nissan Micra – the Japanese manufacturer’s contender in the ultra-competitive supermini market.

The new Micra certainly has its work cut out for it, as it goes head-to-head with the likes of the latest versions of the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta – the undisputed top dogs in their segment.

Helping it stand out from the crowd is a whole suite of personalisation options, as well as an entirely reasonable £11,995 starting price.

What’s new?

This is an all-new car, so practically everything you see has been refreshed and updated. There’s a sporty new exterior, an improved range of petrol and diesel engines and plenty of on-board tech to keep buyers happy.

Safety has also been made a priority with the latest Micra, with higher-grade models benefitting from features such as lane departure prevention, intelligent emergency braking and blind spot warning.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Micra that we put to the test was the top-of-the-line Tekna edition, and was powered by Nissan’s 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.

This punchy little motor develops a respectable 89bhp and 150Nm of torque, meaning it can complete the dash from 0-60mph in 11.9 seconds – although in real life it feels significantly quicker than this. Keep your foot planted to the floor, and you’ll eventually reach the Micra’s 109mph top speed.

In this spec, the Micra won’t break the bank at the fuel pumps either. Nissan claims the 0.9-litre engine can manage 61.4mpg on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions stand at 104g/km mean you’ll only be liable to pay £140 in VED for the first year of ownership.

What’s it like to drive?

We weren’t overly impressed with the way the Nissan Micra drove. Over uneven surfaces, it wasn’t terribly composed, with a noticeable amount of shudder being transferred into the cabin. Our test vehicle was fitted with some snazzy-looking black 17-inch alloys, which did look the part but also gave way to tyre roar when driving at motorway speeds.

The five-speed manual gearbox was vague, and the shift throw felt far too long for a car of this size. Power delivery from the 0.9-litre petrol engine fitted to our test car wasn’t particularly linear, either. Up until about 2,500rpm there was absolutely no shove, and then all of a sudden you’d be met with a surge of acceleration as the engine’s torque became available. It was only a minor annoyance, really, but it did make smooth driving a bit more difficult than it necessarily should be.

How does it look?

While the Micra of old wasn’t particularly engaging to look at, the new model has a far sportier appearance – which is a good thing. Nissan offers owners plenty of chance for customisation, with loads of contrasting colour options and decals available to order. Take this to the extreme, and the Micra can look like a proper little hot hatchback, even if may then be all show and no go.

What’s it like inside?

The Micra’s cabin is typical Nissan fare, with emphasis on build quality and ease of use. Two-tone colour options for the dash and seat upholstery help to lift the interior somewhat, although you’ll never find yourself too far from some cheaper, scratchy plastic surfaces.

While space in the front is abundant, any taller passengers who sit in the back seats will find headroom is incredibly limited. Legroom isn’t great either – even when sat behind a driver of average height it’s likely your knees will touch the back of their seat.

Boot space is one thing the Micra does well compared with its rivals. While the new Ford Fiesta and VW Polo only offer 292 litres and 280 litres respectively, the Micra trumps them both with a 300-litre boot.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for our top-flight 0.9-litre petrol Tekna model start at £17,435 – although with options such as the Vision+ pack (which includes a 360-degree parking camera) our test car came to £20,020.

There’s a generous amount of standard equipment, which includes a Bose speaker system, DAB radio, satellite navigation, rear parking camera, 17-inch alloys and a seven-inch touchscreen display to name but a few features.

Verdict

The Micra is a stylish, well-priced and solidly built supermini that offers plenty of tech for your money. However, while this sounds like the recipe for an ideal small hatchback, it’s let down by limited rear space and a forgettable driving experience.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Nissan Micra Tekna 0.9l IG-T 90
Price as tested: £20,020
Engine: 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 89
Torque (Nm): 150
Max speed (mph): 109
0-60mph: 11.9
MPG: 61.4
Emissions (g/km): 104