BUYER’S GUIDE: Nissan Micra

FROM £7,500 If you do your homework to get the correct engine and spec, then Nissan’s supermini could be right up your street

Richard Dredge

THE Micra has been a staple of Nissan’s price lists for 40 years, the small runabout having been launched four decades ago in the Japanese market as the Nissan March.

The following summer the Micra reached the UK, where it sold in big numbers, thanks to its combination of excellent reliability and keen prices. Over the years, the Micra has grown ever more sophisticated, and after a hiccup with the underwhelming fourth-generation model, the current Mk5 version (codenamed K14 by Nissan) was far more impressive when it was unveiled in 2016. More than 17cm longer than its predecessor, almost 8cm wider, but 5.5cm lower, the fifth-generation Micra was packed with the latest comfort and safety tech.

History

APART from a few early deliveries in March, the Micra reached UK showrooms in April 2017. Buyers could choose between 70bhp 1.0-litre (IG 71) and 89bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre (IG-T 90) petrol engines, or there was an 89bhp 1.5-litre diesel (dCi 90) option. All examples were fitted with a five-speed manual transmission.

The range remained like this until the start of 2019, when Nissan overhauled the engine options. The 89bhp 0.9-litre engine was upgraded to 99bhp to become the IG-T 100, which came with a five-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox. At the same time the 116bhp DIG-T 117 was introduced, also with a turbocharged 0.9-litre engine; this came only with a six-speed manual gearbox.

A range refresh in November 2020 added extra standard equipment, such as LED headlights, to N-Sport and Tekna versions.

THE first Micras were delivered in March 2017. These have cheaper road tax than Micras registered from 1 April 2017, with most subject to £30 VED, compared with £165 for the later arrivals. CO2/tax Running costs Performance

DETAILS Higher-spec Micras come with either 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels. Entry-level models have steel wheels. Vented light units can suffer from condensation, but this is normal

PRACTICALITY With a capacity of 300 litres with the seats up, the Micra’s boot is par for the supermini course. Head and legroom are a little tight for those sitting in the back