Car review: eye catching Nissan Micra shakes off dull image with design revamp

By Staff Reporter - 3 October 2017

Motoring

Five generations of the Nissan Micra have shown the car to be a worthy, if dull contender in the small car stakes. It sold very well and was sound and reliable but couldn’t really shake of that fuddy-duddy image. That’s all changed now. Ignore the rather silly ‘accomplice’ TV ad and instead concentrate on the many good points of this very attractive car.

Visual Appeal

It is a new design from the ground up. The Nissan Micra has been given a fresh look with crisp, energetic contours. Unlike earlier models the sporty demeanor gives it appeal across all age groups. At last, young people can buy this car without looking like they have borrowed it from their Nan.

Real attention to detail has been paid to the design. With headlamps, grille and the sweeping window treatment, the Micra certainly stands out in a crowd. In a sector packed with fine choices the floating roof and glass-covered rear pillars of the Nissan acknowledge the latest design trends, with a coupé styling provided by concealed rear door handles. It’s a good-looking motor.

Interior Appeal

The list of standard equipment is impressive and includes a bright, seven-inch screen, Siri voice-control via Apple CarPlay, and a powerful Bose stereo system optional on certain models. Top models in the Micra range start to get a tad expensive but come loaded with kit and still undercut equivalent competitors on price. For safety, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and auto-dipping headlights are standard across the range. The front seats are firm but very comfy indeed although the sloping roof line will affect taller folk in the back. Overall, the highly customisable, cheerful and well-fitted interior is a big hit.

Driving Appeal

Right now, showroom customers can choose from a turbocharged 0.9L petrol engine or a 1.5L diesel as found in our test car in which economy proved to be very good delivering in excess of 60mpg on a long run.

Both are driven through a crisp, five-speed manual gearbox. A cheaper, naturally aspirated 1.0L petrol will follow later as will a CVT auto. For most users, the lively 0.9L turbo would be the right choice, I’d say.

In order to keep the Micra on an even keel in corners, the suspension felt firm to some. Personally I liked it as it helped to deliver a responsive, fun drive.

True, on rougher roads (that’s most of them) occupants were jiggled about a bit. It’s a matter of personal preference as there are perhaps more comfortable offerings elsewhere although the Micra has most of them beaten on price. The Nissan Micra is a real star.

Geoff Maxted

www.drivewrite.co.uk

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