On a winner with new Micra

When the first Nissan Micra appeared more than 30 years ago, it marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment and opened a new chapter for Nissan.

This fifth generation Micra is just as revolutionary and is intended to raise expectations for what a small hatchback can and should, deliver to its customer.

If you’re used to the conservative design of the old fourth generation Micra, you may need to sit down and have a cup of hot sweet tea after looking at this one.

The styling remains faithful to that of the 2015 Geneva Motor Show Sway concept car that led to the development of this one.

It’s a riot of emotive curves and creases, with design cues including a distinctive V-motion grille, from where a sharp-edged character line runs through to the rear end with its boomerangshaped lights.

Under the bonnet, buyers get the choice of either a naturally aspirated 73hp 1.0-litre petrol engine, a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit or a 1.5-litre diesel, the latter two powerplants both developing 90hp.

Of perhaps more importance are the efforts that have been put in to improve the way that this Micra Gen5 drives.

This model now features what Nissan calls Active Ride Control for enhanced ride comfort and Active Trace Control for reduced understeer and sharper handling – both features borrowed from the brand’s larger Qashqai and X-Trail models.

Much attention has been paid to reducing noise in the cabin. Improvements include considerably improved noise insulation and optimisation of the car’s aerodynamic performance.

Enhanced aero efficiency has been achieved thanks to the combined roof and side spoiler. As a result, this Micra has achieved a Cd of 0.29 – impressive for a supermini of this class.

Prices start at around £12,000 and there are five grade levels to choose from – Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna

The entry-level 73bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine isn’t particularly frugal but the 0.9-litre 90bhp unit achieves a much better combination of performance and efficiency.

Go for the 1.5-litre dCi diesel and you can expect around 80mpg and under 95g/km of CO2.

In the supermini segment, it’s going to take a very special car to divert customers from their Fiestas and Corsas.

If this Micra Gen5 isn’t that car, then it’s hard to see what else the Japanese brand could have done.

The Micra marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment