There is only one word to describe the All New Nissan Micra – revolutionary. Now in its fifth generation, this new model is a massive progression from the one it is replacing, and from the trio of highly successful superminis which date back to the Micra’s debut in Europe in 1983.
The new Micra is longer, wider and lower than ever before. The car has been repositioned at the very heart of the ultra-competitive European B-hatchback segment.
Conceived, designed and engineered with those customers’ requirements at the top of the agenda, Nissan has a clear ambition for the new Micra; it should re-establish itself inside the top 10 sellers in the segment, and compete head-to-head with the best and most popular in the class. Benchmarked against key rivals, Nissan believes the All New Micra meets and exceeds its targets.
Key to its appeal is the car’s athletic and expressive exterior design, which moves the Micra name plate in a daring new direction. The contemporary look and premium feel continues inside, with a high-quality cabin that boasts two-tone soft-touch materials as standard across the range. Thanks to outstanding packaging, the five-door-only body shell boasts best-in-class ergonomics for front seat occupants, with no compromise to rear passenger space. The boot is big enough to easily cater for customers’ needs.
The All New Nissan Micra is also a technology leader, with a number of ‘in-control’ features – the sort usually associated with more expensive models – now available for the first time. Not only are they new to the Micra, they’re new to the segment. These include Intelligent Lane Intervention, a safety system which gently corrects the Micra back on to the right path should it be required.
Nissan’s acclaimed Intelligent Around View Monitor camera system – as seen on the Qashqai and Juke crossovers – is also available on the Micra for the first time. These and other technologies are a clear demonstration of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s vision for a zero emissions and zero fatalities future.
For music fans, a highlight of the new Micra will be the BOSE Personal audio system. Unique to the B-hatchback segment, advanced speakers built into the driver’s head rest put the driver at the heart of the listening experience.
The All New Nissan Micra is also a fantastic car to drive, with a dynamic performance that is the perfect balance between agility, excitement and the secure feeling that comes with confident and predictable handling.
The car is available with three downsized engines – two petrol and one diesel – all linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. Nissan’s familiar five grades of Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna all feature a high level of standard specification.
From the front, the shortened bonnet design and reduced A-pillar angle create an athletic silhouette. The narrow headlamps stretch through the front wings and include signature LED daytime running lights on every trim level.
Halogen headlamps are standard on all grades, with full LED lighting available as an option. As well as adding to the expressive look of the car, they are more energy efficient and offer improved visibility. The lights frame Nissan’s familiar ‘V-motion’ grille, reinterpreted to complete the new Micra’s bold front-end design – now including the new ‘flat-finish’ Nissan badge.
In profile, the car’s sloping roof line is clearly visible. Below it is the expressive character line which runs the entire length of the new Micra’s body, dipping dramatically as it passes over the front door and sweeping upwards towards the rear. The black B and C-pillars create a floating roof effect, while the C-pillar is home to the discrete door handles which provide access for rear passengers.
At the rear are the striking new boomerang-shaped light clusters. Below them is the sculpted bumper which features a carbon-look finish as standard and hides the car’s exhaust pipe. Above is the sports-style rear roof spoiler, also standard to enhance aerodynamic performance. Together these features create a recognisable motif for the back of the car.
The new Micra is available in 10 body colours. The solid finishes are Ivory and White, with Platinum Silver, Echo Grey and Enigma Black available as standard metallic finishes. The ‘character’ metallic colours are Energy Orange, Passion Red, Pulse Green and Power Blue, and are expected to be among the most popular choices with customers. Glaze White is the single pearlescent option.
Three of the colours – Energy Orange, Pulse Green and Passion Red – are unique to Micra, with the latter using an innovative ‘tinted clear coat’ technology for a truly vibrant finish.
The interior of the new Micra has been carefully created to put the customer at the heart of the experience. The cabin is based around a T-shaped ‘gliding wing’ dashboard, with simple and harmonious structures that create excellent space for the driver and front passenger. The instruments and controls have been grouped together for comfort, convenience and safety. Benchmarking against rivals means Nissan believes the new Micra has best-in-class ‘eyes off the road’ time.
Levels of refinement and the highest perceived quality were a top priority for the development team, expressed through the use of two-tone and soft-touch materials as standard on every grade of Micra. Premium detailing includes the D-shaped multi-function steering wheel – also standard equipment – and chrome finishing on the door handles and air vents.
Outstanding ergonomics was another development target on the new Micra – a target that was achieved. The car sets new standards in the B-hatchback segment thanks to its smart packaging. A rake/reach-adjustable steering wheel is standard, while the lowered seating position for driver and front passenger mean there’s exceptional headroom for taller occupants.
Coupled with class-leading fore/aft driver’s seat adjustment, it means a driver who is 2.03 metres (6 ft 8 ins) can fit comfortably behind the wheel. Nissan knows this as it has one in the Micra development team! Similarly, there’s a female employee who is just 1.52 (4 ft 11 ins) who is also perfectly at home in the new Micra.
The specially designed front seats provide continuous back support, helping to decrease driver fatigue on long journeys. The car’s increased width compared with the preceding model means enhanced elbow space for rear passengers, who also benefit from best-in-class shoulder and knee room.
Boot capacity is a very competitive 300 litres (VDA), and delivered without compromising on rear passenger knee room. That figure expands to 1,004 litres when the 60:40 split rear seats are folded down.
Smart storage options are everywhere in the new Micra’s cabin, with location, capacity and design all optimised to ensure maximum convenience for occupants. Larger items can be placed in the centre console ahead of the gear selector. It offers flat storage for a phone, and includes ambient lighting plus USB and 12v sockets.
The 10-litre glove box has been specifically shaped to take a two-litre drinks bottle, while bottles up to 1.5 litres will fit in the front door bins. Additionally, there are two cupholders between the front seats, plus another in the rear. For driver comfort, air-conditioning is standard on all but the entry level model, with automatic air-conditioning available on the higher grades.
