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Nissan Micra

We get behind the wheel of a UK-spec Micra for the first time

Nissan Micra

By Luke Madden

September 2010

The Micra is going global! The latest version of Nissan's supermini will be sold in over 160 countries worldwide and will initially be built in Thailand, Mexico, India and China. But, in trying to appeal to a global audience has the newcomer spread itself too thin?

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Nissan Micra

 

The good news is that UK-specification Micras aren't the same as those currently on sale in Thailand. Over here we get retuned suspension, softer compound tyres and a lower ride height as well as front and rear anti-roll bars.

The interior gets some improvements too – there's more soft-touch materials and a few clever design touches including a double-opening glovebox. But have the changes made the new Micra a real contender in the competitive supermini segment?

On the road, the changes have made a world of difference to the Thai-spec car we drove a few months ago. It still doesn't offer the engaging drive that you'd get from a Fiesta, but the new roll-bars give the Micra a more planted feel through the bends.

The steering has been weighted up a little and now offers more feedback. It's still not a chore to drive around town though and the Micra can weave in and out of traffic easily. The class-leading 4.5-metre turning circle only adds to the newcomer's urban talents.

The upgraded interior is a definite improvement and touches like the chrome door handles help to set-off an otherwise drab cabin. On the plus side, everything feels solid and the amount of space is equally as impressive. There's room in the back seats for adults and the boot is surprisingly spacious, with 265 litres on offer.

Unfortunately, there's a few things that haven't changed from Thai models. The new 78bhp three-cylinder engine sounds a little rough and feels slow, despite the Micra's featherweight 915kg kerbweight. It adds up to a 0-62mph time of 13.7 seconds and a top speed of 106mph. Economy and emissions stand at 56mpg and 115g/km respectively.

The engine can be mated either to a five-speed manual gearbox or an automatic CVT unit, but the latter tends to stifle the power on offer a little so we'd recommend you opt for the manual version.

The restrained design remains too. With its global aspirations, the Micra has to appeal to a worldwide audience and that shows through in the slightly uninspiring exterior. It's smart enough but won't stand out against stylish rivals like the Fiesta and Fiat 500.

With prices starting at ￡8,995 it's good value for money. But, while the Micra doesn't do too much wrong, it also doesn't do enough to make it stand out. Other models offer a similar driving experience and a dash more style, but none can rival the Micra for price.

For an alternative review of the latest Nissan Micra visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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7 Comments

Nice enough

I like the point "UK-specification Micras aren't the same as those currently on sale in Thailand". Adding anti-roll bars makes it sound as though it would just sail through corners!

I do like this new model, but AE have got a point about it not standing out against rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Fiat 500. I reckon it should go head-to-head with the next Toyota Yaris.

By JPW2010 on 15 September, 2010, 10:26am

designwise...this car looks about 4-5 years older..

By cloudz7 on 20 September, 2010, 12:16pm

The blandest thing on the menu

And could it be any more obviously built down to a price inside? I'm all for retro cars, but usually they recreate the spirit of a classic shape from the 1960s not, as cloudz7 rightly says, a car from 5 years ago. If you'd put a Daewoo badge on this, I'd have believed it.

By snappyuk on 21 September, 2010, 8:02am

No thanks.

Yawn. They've taken away the quirky styling that made the previous model somewhat interesting and turned it into a cheap looking box that wouldn't look out of place on a TATA forecourt.

By ashcolyer on 21 September, 2010, 8:51pm

Not for me beaky!

I was so not impressed that I've just traded my beloved and well travelled 03 plate 1.4SX for a 60 plate 1.2 n-tec to ensure a few more years of proper Micra motoring. I'm still trying to work out what the new one is supposed to be. Exterior looks are very down market - snappyuk is right with the Daewoo tag. It will probably sell very well overseas in the Far East, but European tastes are more refined. Nissan may just find themselves with a turkey on their hands.

By Scampscat on 22 September, 2010, 3:57pm

Dodgy quality

I've heard that the first batch of these to be brought over have had to be put through the Sunderland factory to rectify faults. Not a good advert and a problem that may affect all future imports.

By Scampscat on 8 October, 2010, 1:22pm

Pig

The outgoing model is a peppy little thing that still looks really fresh, unlike this total pig which would have looked out of date 5 to 10 years ago. I visited my local dealer today - is this really the same firm which has brought us the Juke? I'd put money on it that this gets pulled and then replaced with a nicer looking car in about 3 years. This thing is not going to sell.

By jcrowley012 on 6 November, 2010, 10:34pm

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FIRST OPINION

    Nissan's latest supermini isn't particularly engaging to drive, nor is it particularly stylish. But, it is easy to drive, surprisingly spacious and cheap. For some, that makes the Nissan a perfect car. Those looking for added performance should wait for the supercharged 1.2-litre engine joining the line-up next year, which boasts improved acceleration and tax-free emissions of 95g/km.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £8,995-£12,095
    Engine: 1.2-litre, three cylinder
    Transmission: five-spd manual, fwd
    Power: 78bhp
    Torque: 106Nm
    0-62mph: 13.7 seconds
    Top speed: 106mph
    Economy: 56mpg
    CO2: 115g/km
    Equipment: six airbags, Bluetooth, electric front windows, remote central locking
    On sale: November
     
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