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Dave Humphreys
Review
Nissan's 2017 Micra has radical style - but how does it fare next to its rivals?
We put the new Nissan Micra through its paces on Irish roads.
OVER THE LAST couple of years, the standard of cars in the B-Segment has risen significantly, with little separating the top players. So when it comes to competing with models like the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, Nissan’s new Micra has its work cut out.
Thankfully though, the Japanese car giant has made a huge effort to transform the boring Micra of old into something fresh and exciting. Built on an updated version of the same ‘V platform’ that underpinned the old Micra, the new model is lower, longer and wider than ever before.
The result? Heaps more road presence and practicality which should expand its appeal to a new audience – and help Nissan to steal some sales from its closest rivals.
The Micra’s V-motion front grille design is similar to that of the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, while the sweeping lines over the front wheel arches and along the flanks dispel some of the previous generations’ reputation for dull exteriors.
With a choice of over a hundred different style configurations, you’re free to personalise your Micra as much as you like. My advice? Don’t be afraid to have a little fun – I loved the orange and black combo in my test car – but keep in mind that wild colours can affect resale values.
Inside, the whole cabin feels well screwed together thanks to its solid switchgear, plus there are a decent amount of soft touch materials and a funky two-tone dashboard. There’s plenty of adjustment in both the seats and steering wheel, and visibility is great overall. I’ll be frank, it isn’t as stylish as the C3 and the quality doesn’t match that of the Polo but it is still a very nice cabin.
In the back, whilst the extra length in the wheelbase does give decent amounts of legroom, headroom isn’t the best and the bench seat will only fit two adults comfortably or three children. The windows back here are small too making it feel a bit more cramped than it actually is, oh, and there are no door bins or storage pockets on the backs of the front seats, there is one cup holder though and storage up front is fine with a large glovebox, door bins, two cup holders and a cubby for your phone.
If you’re in the market for a large boot, you’re in luck, as the Micra packs 300 litres with the seats up, matching that of the Citroen C3 and Renault Clio. This expands to 1,004 litres with the rear seats tumbled.
On the road, the Micra isn’t as dynamic as the Fiesta and is not as engaging as the Mazda2 but it does handle well, with mature road manners and a solid road grip. Heavily-weighted steering means the drive is devoid of any real feel and there is a bit of body-roll, but the suspension does a good job of absorbing road bumps.
One of the best things about driving the Micra is simply how refined it is – the most refined car of its size that I’ve ever driven, with a cabin that’s well insulated from road and wind noise, even at speed. The engine is quiet too apart from the enjoyable whizz of the turbo.
The 90hp 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a delightful engine and once it gets going it feels pretty brisk. Additionally, the five-speed manual transmission has a really nice feel to it and only when you are at top motorway speed will you ever feel the need to reach for that non-existent sixth gear.
Entry models start at €16,650, more expensive that the Fabia (€14,500), Polo (€15,370) and C3 (€15,490) but a touch cheaper than the Fiesta (€17,300).
Overall, the new Nissan Micra has come on leaps and bounds from the previous generation and is now a youthful and fresh looking car that is more practical and desirable than ever before. While it doesn’t have the space or driving dynamics afforded by some of its rivals, it’s a true all-rounder with a wide appeal.
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