The Micra has new petrol engines - will they help the supermini compete with its rivals?

This isn’t a facelift, and so 2019 Micras don’t look any different to their predecessors. The changes come under the bonnet, where Nissan’s fitted a pair of new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines to replace the ageing - and not particularly good - 0.9-litre unit. They offer 99bhp and 116bhp, and the former can be mated to an automatic gearbox. Nissan’s also introduced a new ‘sporty’ trim level. Called N-sport, it’s available exclusively with the higher-powered engine and aims to take the fight to the Ford Fiesta St-line and VW Polo R-line. Finally, there’s a new infotainment system. The higher-powered engine comes complete with 17-inch alloy wheels, a quicker steering rack and lowered sports suspension. It makes the Micra more agile than the likes of the VW Polo, and it’s certainly easy to fling about city streets. Lower-powered models with the standard suspension do tend to lean through the bends but overall the Micra is one comfortable supermini. Although space is only average for the class, the sharply designed dashboard and lashings of interesting material choices - plus the sheer level of personalisation on offer - ensure there’s something to appeal to almost everyone. The headline upgrade is the new infotainment system. It now offers live services and, crucially, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. The new N-sport trim is based on the mid-spec Acenta, so rather than dazzling with lots of equipment it offers a sporty look and mid-range spec. Still, sports seats, keyless entry, fog lights, carbon-fibre finishes for the door mirrors and alloy wheels plus rear privacy glass add to an already generous roster of climate control, cruise control and all-round electric windows. This update feels like the car that the Micra should have been at launch. It’s not the class best when it comes to driving dynamics, but now offers the great economy, good levels of equipment and sharp looks as it did before, just without the poor engine to hold it back. The Xtronic automatic could be one of the best non-electric inner-city cars you can buy.