Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District

Plenty of appeal

The new Nissan Micra has got the looks, the drive and the economy to become a serious contender in the small hatchback market as Rebecca Chaplin discovered

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Let’s face it, the last Nissan Micra wasn’t exactly a big hit in the UK market. It was a bit too quirky compared with previous generation­s and what had been the first-car staple of so many young drivers became the reserve of the older generation.

Nissan has breathed a new lease of life into the latest Micra, though, bringing it into line with the rest of its product range and offering segment firsts on the safety and technology fronts. It’s been redesigned from the ground up to offer far better driving performanc­e, plus the combinatio­n of standard safety options, improved driving aids and tech developmen­ts make it a very appealing option.

When it comes to looks, the fifth-generation Micra has certainly improved and is likely to win favour with those looking for a stylish, but practical alternativ­e to the traditiona­l cars on the market. It’s clear that the target market for Micra is younger drivers and Nissan is hoping to capture the attention of this audience with its new customisat­ion options. There are three levels for this, covering the exterior and interior, meaning buyers have 125 options to choose from and can ensure their car stands out on the road.

The new Micra has a longer wheelbase than ever, and that means more legroom for all occupants. This is another way that Nissan has challenged rivals, as it’s moving away from a cramped supermini to a small hatchback. With five doors and a reasonable boot, it would be appealing for any family with young children. Space in the back is still limited, although two adults could squeeze in. The roof curves into the rear spoiler, so it looks great from the outside, but there’s more headroom than you’d expect.

The Nissan Micra is available with two engine options at launch – a 0.9-litre turbocharg­ed petrol and a 1.5litre diesel – both producing 89bhp. From March, when the car goes on sale, there will be a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, producing 74bhp, coming to the UK, but details are limited. It’s only available with a five-speed manual gearbox.

According to Nissan, the 0.9litre petrol engine will achieve 64.2mpg and produce 99g/km of CO2 with stop-start fitted. Its diesel counterpar­t will do 88mpg, while producing 85g/ km of CO2. The Micra does offer plenty of options, ranging from the entry-level Visia to the top-spec Tekna. The entry-level car is priced at £11,995, which will give you a fairly basic array of goodies, including 15-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, electric door mirrors and front windows, hill start assist and emergency braking and the two-tone dashboard.

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