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The name may not have changed, but the car certainly has, beyond all recognition.
The Micra had had that plump look about it since the early 1990s, appealing primarily to women with its curves giving it a babyish appeal, its smile-like radiator grille and its headlights that looked like big, round eyes.
When it came to designing the fifth-generation Micra, however, Nissan took a different approach; the little city car has grown no fewer than 17cm, meaning that it now stretches 3.99m in length. It is also 8cm wider and 6cm lower than its predecessor. Its cute curves have been replaced by a body that is now noteworthy for its sharp edges and its precision lines. The front end also cuts a striking figure, with the assertive contours of its bonnet, flanked by acute headlights built into the wings, stretching forward in a V-shape until it merges with the radiator grille.
The new version now comes in a choice of ten colours, with four style packs available in contrasting colours, meaning that there are over 100 different combinations to choose from when it comes to personalising your Micra.
This diversity is also reflected in the passenger compartment, where the dashboard, seats and upholstery can also be given a splash of colour thanks to the various interior packs on offer, depending on the model chosen.
The appeal of the cockpit, meanwhile, lies in its fully adjustable flat-bottomed steering wheel and its compact and well laid-out instruments. All models from the mid-range Acenta up are fitted with a 5-inch TFT screen built into the multi-functional dashboard that displays relevant journey information at the press of a button, along with a 7-inch touchscreen built into the central console that can be used to control the air-conditioning, audio and navigation systems and smartphone.
Designed to reflect European dimensions, the Micra is also very spacious inside. Seated behind the wheel, you certainly don’t feel like you’re driving a small car, whilst the back offers enough head and leg space for at least two adults. The 300L boot, meanwhile, can be increased to 1,004L - even if it’s not entirely flat - by folding down the back seats.
What are even more impressive than the new dimensions of this little Japanese motor, though, are its technological features, inherited from its big brothers the Qashqai and the Juke. For example, the Micra is the first city car to be equipped with an Around View Monitor screen that displays the car in 360° from an aerial perspective. The corrective braking system triggered when the driver unintentionally deviates from their path, meanwhile, is currently only available on higher-end models.
The safety features generally look pretty good, too. In addition to the regulatory systems such as electronic stability control (ESP), ABS and tyre pressure control, the vehicle is also fitted with six airbags, an emergency braking system with a collision warning system, hill start assist and an automatic light system that also turns on the hazard lights in the event of an emergency as standard. In addition to these features, a blind spot warning system and high-beam assist, an emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, a reversing camera with parking sensors and road sign recognition are available as optional extras and on higher-end models.
Given this abundance of new technologies it is almost surprising that Nissan stuck to the tried and tested model when it came to engines. When the Micra was launched it was available with a 898cm³ three-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.5L four-cylinder diesel engine. Both of these engines are manufactured by Renault, have a power of 90hp and are fitted only with a five-speed manual transmission. With its 220 Nm torque over 2000rpm, it is the 1.5 dCi diesel engine that offers the best feeling of power. The base price starts from €13,825.