Nissan Micra - a Japanese city car with a French pedigree
The Nissan Micra has been on the world's roads for more than 40 years now. Six million units sold is a respectable result in the history of the motor industry. Now it is time for the world to meet the sixth generation of the model, and the first zero-emission one. Technically it is a breakthrough, but there is still something of the Micra of old in this EV.
The new Nissan Micra is a technical twin of the distinctive Renault 5. This should come as no surprise, as Nissan and Renault have been working together since 1999, sharing technical solutions and even entire models. Nissan's van range was once based on Renault's line-up, and now the two brands have jointly created a small electric city car. Visually, the Micra differs considerably from its French sibling and wages a kind of battle with it over identity. On the windscreen you will find a rooster emblem, a sign of its French origins, while the rubber lining of the centre console features a graphic of Japan's Mount Fuji.
Design and a roomy interior
The Micra was designed at Nissan Design Europe in London, and there are clear references to the third generation, which was controversial but, for that very reason, also well liked and well remembered. The fourth generation was meant to be a thoroughly global product, built in India. And since it was supposed to appeal to everyone, it unfortunately appealed to very few. The fifth generation was developed in cooperation with the French. Many felt it had lost its character, and at the same time production costs could not be kept under control. In the latest model, what catches the eye most are the large round lights at both the front and the rear, and the black trim intended to suggest greater ground clearance. The front and rear lights are a very strong styling element and make the car stand out by day and by night alike.
The Nissan is one of the wider cars in its segment. Add a long wheelbase, and the interior of this little car turns out to be quite roomy. Passengers should have no complaints about shoulder room. The wide-opening doors also deserve praise. Several useful cubbyholes and shelves have been worked in, but the glovebox is very small and the door pockets are too narrow for larger bottles of water.
Cockpit, seats and boot
Inside, the driver has two 10-inch screens. This is a different approach from the one taken by Chinese brands, where the screen in front of the driver is minimalist and the central one is huge. The screens are very easy to read, and the driver can arrange the information on them to suit their preferences. The software is based on Google, which guarantees that navigation and other popular apps run well.
The materials are of a high standard and the seats are generously sized. It has to be said, however, that although the seats look very good, with pronounced side bolsters, finding a comfortable position is not that easy. With the seat set low, passengers in the second row cannot slide their feet under it, and riding in the back becomes an ordeal. A high seating position will not suit everyone because of how close it puts you to the roof. The lumbar support could also offer a wider range of adjustment.
While most manufacturers are cutting down on switches and stalks and moving the controls onto screens, Nissan is going in exactly the opposite direction. There are as many as six stalks around the steering column. The gear selector is positioned so that it gets in the way of the start button. Nevertheless, the ability to control the car's functions in the traditional way will be much appreciated by drivers who follow fashion a little more slowly.
The boot holds 326 litres, and the tailgate opens easily and very high. Bear in mind, though, that some of the boot space will be taken up by the charging cables. It is a pity there was no room for them at the front of the car, in a so-called frunk.
Battery, driving modes and handling
The Micra weighs as much as 1524 kg with the larger battery. There are two capacities to choose from: 40 and 52 kWh (with outputs of 120 and 150 hp respectively). The test car had the 52 kWh battery and 245 Nm of torque. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 8 seconds. The Micra's wheelbase is 2540 mm, its length 3974 mm, its width 1774 mm and its height 1498 mm.
The driver can choose from four driving modes, each of which can be personalised, and the “Perso” mode lets you set as many as six different parameters. When you switch modes, the car changes the screen lighting: “sport” mode, naturally, comes in red. The paddles by the steering wheel set the level of regenerative braking, the strongest being “one pedal”, which in practice lets you do without the brake pedal. This solution was introduced years ago in the Nissan Leaf (e-pedal), when it was highly controversial, and now more and more brands are coming round to it.
It is hard to fault the suspension in any way. Its design takes into account both the car's considerable weight and its urban character. Thanks to its springy, responsive tuning, the car is nimble and agile. It is very pleasant and predictable to drive, and genuinely fun behind the wheel. The cabin is quiet too, although at motorway speeds you can clearly hear the wind rushing around the protruding parts of the body.
Test summary
The new Micra is therefore an interesting blend of past and future. On the one hand, it opens a completely new chapter in the model's history: for the first time, the Micra is powered by electricity alone. On the other, the designers made sure the car did not lose the character that set this model apart for years. The round lights, compact body and a few stylistic touches nod to previous generations, while modern technology, a spacious interior and good driving dynamics show that the Micra has to find its place in a completely new era.
