► Micra enters its sixth generation
► Based on the Renault 5
► 40 or 52kWh battery with more range than 5
It’s all change for the Nissan Micra as it enters its sixth generation. Internal combustion engines are out and batteries are in, with electric the only propulsion option these days. Still, the best EVs are getting ever cheaper, so with the UK’s government grant factored in, you’ll be spending less than £22,000 for a base model.
Its styling looks to forget its angular Renault Clio-based predecessor, although that car certainly set the template for this car. One glance at the roofline instantly tells you that it’s based on the desirable Renault 5 with a few styling tweaks that don’t gel perhaps as quite as they could. I’d love to have seen the original K10 Micra used as inspiration rather than the blobby K12, but I suspect the former would have looked too similar to the reborn 5.
So far we’ve driven the Micra on the roads of Rotterdam to see if it’s more than just a simple restyle. If you want to know more about how we test, have a read of our explainer page.
Should you buy one? Quite possibly. I’ll leave you to decide if Nissan’s styling floats your boat, but this is still a sweet driving supermini with a classy interior and big boot. And unlike the Renault 5, you don’t have to select the top spec model to get heated seats.
Pros: Keenly priced with grant, good to drive, big boot for a supermini
Cons: A 5 is more desirable, poor rear foot space, stiff ride
What’s new?
As far as Nissan is concerned, everything. I could say the Mk6 Micra is based on Renault’s AmpR Small platform that’s also found under the 5 and 4 SUV, but the changes between 5 and Micra are purely cosmetic.
Externally most panels have been changed, while the interior just gets a retrim and a few Nissan badges. One thing the Micra does get before the 5 is paddles behind the steering wheel to alter the regen level and trigger one pedal mode. You’ll need mid-range Advance trim for those, but they’ll also be on a 5 if you order a new one now.
Underneath, the Nissan is much the same as the Renault, and given how much we like the R5 that’s no bad thing, is it? In fact, Nissan itself is completely happy to tell you that the suspension tune, tyre size and all is taken straight from the Renault. If it ain’t broke, and all that…
What are the specs?
Unsurprisingly, the Nissan Micra has almost identical tech specs to the Renault 5. That means that there are two batteries to choose from – a 52kWh NMC lithium-ion battery (that’s usable capacity, by the way) or a 40kWh lithium-iron LFP pack, although it’ll be the former that arrives first when sales start at the end of 2025.
Both stream power to the front wheels, with the bigger battery car getting 148bhp for a 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds, while the smaller battery comes with 121bhp and manages the same sprint in 9.0 seconds.
Range and charging
You gain a tiny bit of range in the Micra compared to the Renault because of improved aero, and at 1542kg for the big battery model, it’s still pretty lightweight by EV standards. It manages WLTP range of 198 miles for the smaller battery, or 260 miles for the bigger battery. We’ve now driven the Micra extensively in and around Rotterdam, averaging 4.2 miles per kWh in a big battery model. This equates to a calculated range of 218 miles on easy flat roads with my speed below 60mph most of the time.
Rapid charging peaks at 100kW (80kW for the smaller battery), which is pretty par for the course alongside rivals like the electric Mini Cooper, Fiat 500e, Citroen e-C3 and Peugeot e-208. It’ll get you a 15-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes for both batteries, while a 7kW home wallbox will fully charge the Micra in six to nine hours depending on battery size.
It will take an 11kW AC charge if you’ve got access to a charger to support those speeds, and it’ll even do vehicle to load (V2L) to power 230v household items. A 500kg towing limit is handy should you outgrow the boot.
How does it drive?
Just like a Renault 5, funnily enough. So far we’ve only sampled the 52kWh model which has punchy enough acceleration to trouble the front tyres when it’s damp, and a ride and handling balance that errs towards the latter without making the former uncomfortable. You’re certainly aware of imperfections passing beneath you, but the worst of any impact is rounded off well.
A Citroen e-C3 will certainly deliver a more pillowy ride comfort than the Micra, but the Nissan has usefully more bite and satisfaction to its cornering response without being as unyielding as sporty MINI hatchbacks. When asked whether a Micra Nismo is on the cards using the guts of the Alpine A290, Nissan’s UK MD James Taylor suggested that an exciting EV fits well into the brand’s plans, but wouldn’t confirm anything. I’d bet £20 that we’ll be seeing a racier version of the Micra soon enough.
The brake regen’ works well, too. You’ve got easy control over the three fixed levels via those steering wheel paddles, or if you pull-and-hold the left hand paddle to engage the ‘i-Pedal’ one-pedal driving. Whichever level you choose, it bleeds in nice and predictably, so it’s easy enough to get used to. The brake pedal feel is easy to modulate, too, and the regen’ integrates nicely.
Basically, the electric Micra is a pretty breezy drive whichever of the drive modes or brake regen’ settings you favour; confident, yet wieldy and intuitive. That makes it the sharpest driving and most fun Micra ever.
What about the interior?
Like a reupholstered Renault 5 and all the better for it. Material quality is a good blend of nicely textured hard plastics to keep the price down with padded leatherette on the doors and dash to stop it feeling too cheap. Configurable ambient lighting lifts the mood on mid-spec Advance trim and up, and everything feels sturdily constructed.
Entry-level models get a 10.1-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 7.0-inch driver’s display. Higher trims up the driver’s display to 10.1 inches whilst adding Google connected services to the infotainment – something well worth having. Base Engage trim gets a four-speaker stereo, mid-level Advance six-speakers, and top Evolve a Harman Kardon stereo with eight speakers and a subwoofer.
A quick poke of the screens reveal that it’s Renault’s Google-based system with a new face, and I’m fine with that, too. Nissan’s infotainment systems generally feel about a decade old with their dated-looking menus and fuzzy graphics, but the Micra has a pin sharp display, contemporary graphics and swift responses.
As for space, the Micra feels wide for a car in this class, giving front occupants a spacious feel with good headroom and seats that go a long way back. Rear headroom is OK, but legroom is tight and there’s precious little space for your feet, especially if those in the front have their seats in the lowest position. Boot space is a respectable 326-litres, and most models get underfloor cable storage. The exception is Evolve models that fill the cable storage area with the subwoofer.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
The Micra comes in three trims, but we’d ignore base Engage as it’s missing some key equipment. Evolve is a much better bet and allows you to add heated seats and a heated steering wheel as a reasonably priced option, along with the larger 52kWh battery.
Top Advance trim ramps up the luxuries with a Harman Kardon stereo, two tone paint and sports alloy wheels. It’s expensive, but very well equipped.
Verdict
The Nissan Micra is a fantastic little EV. It was always going to be, really, given that it’s essentially a Renault 5 in different clothes. We’d have liked to have seen the driving experience changed a little – perhaps to improve comfort – while rear space can still be tight, but this is still a great car that addresses a couple of issues with the 5.
However, Nissan will freely admit that it’s the looks and badge loyalty that’ll sell the Micra over the 5. We’re not so sold, although the waterproof leatherette seats are more suitable for those of advancing years than the easily saturated fabric of the 5. Maybe Nissan knows what it’s doing after all….