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Nissan Micra 1.2 three-door

There aren't many cars that can claim to have a built-in device for saving relationships. The all-new Nissan Micra, however, is one of them. Thanks to its on-board computer diary, you'll never forget that vital wedding anniversary again.

By Mike Askew

November 2002

There aren't many cars that can claim to have a built-in device for saving relationships. The all-new Nissan Micra, however, is one of them. Thanks to its on-board computer diary, you'll never forget that vital wedding anniversary again. Simply key in the date and, as soon as the big day arrives, it will remind you with an on-screen message - leaving you plenty of time to pick up a nice bunch of flowers on the way home.

Thankfully, the new Micra is more than a few clever gadgets in a funky-looking package, as we found out last week when we exclusively pitted the five-door model against its key rivals in a four-car shoot-out. On sale from late January, the third-generation version is Nissan's most focused attempt yet to break into the supermini premier league. And much of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the 1.2-litre three-door variant, driven for the first time here. It's the key model which, Nissan reckons, will account for well over half of all Micra sales.

Powered by an 80bhp 1,240cc four-cylinder 16v engine, the 1.2 generates only 8bhp less than the flagship 1.4. And, in almost every respect, it is a match for its big brother. The unit is beautifully crafted, revving freely, while power delivery is effortless and smooth. The only fly in the drivetrain's ointment is a short final drive which means that, at cruising speed, the engine spins at more than 4,000rpm. And it affects the fuel economy. Nissan claims a combined figure of 46.2mpg for the 1.2-litre car. But after a long motorway drive on our test route, the on-board computer read 32mpg.

The rest of the car is harder to fault, its fresh interior putting Ford's Fiesta in the shade for design originality. A 70mm increase in wheelbase over the old car provides a considerable improvement in passenger space, while a new, Toyota Yaris-style sliding rear-seat assembly adds to the practicality.

The trim materials are basic, but applied so that you don't really notice where the pennies have been saved. On the road, the Micra retains the easygoing nature of its predecessor with light controls and sensibly spaced pedals that even the most ham-fisted driver can soon master. The speed-sensitive electric power-steering lacks the natural feel of a hydraulic set-up, but thankfully proves precise. And the Micra has one of the tightest turning circles we've ever experienced.

Nissan has yet to discuss prices - expect an announcement towards the end of this month - but the five trim levels have already been revealed. All except the base E and range-topping SVE are available to 1.2-litre buyers, while every model gets four front airbags, a CD player and ABS brakes.
Good to drive, great to look at and featuring a bigger personality than some far more illustrious rivals, this is by far the finest Micra to date.

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

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FIRST OPINION

    By injecting a sense of fun and personality, Nissan has found the missing pieces in the Micra jigsaw. Although it retains the core values of driving ease and bomb-proof reliability, the newcomer adds style and innovation to the mix, becoming a serious alternative to the usual supermini suspects.
 

AT A GLANCE

    All-new Sunderland-built Micra on sale 23 January 2003
    Prices expected to range from £7,500 to £12,000
     
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