There aren’t many cars with stories like the Nissan Micra. Everyone seems to have a connection to it — maybe you learned to drive in one, maybe your gran popped to the shops in hers, maybe it was your first taste of independence. But for the past few years, the Micra has been missing, quietly retired in 2022 and leaving Nissan without a supermini.
Now it’s back, and it’s gone fully electric.
I first saw hints of this car a couple of years ago, when Nissan rolled out the Concept 20-23 in London. That car was bold, brash, and showed a glimpse of what was to come. Fast forward to last week in Rotterdam, and I finally had the keys to the real thing — the sixth-generation Micra.
Despite Nissan’s talk about the new Micra being audacious, the car’s rebirth is less radical than Nissan might like you to think. Underneath, it’s a Renault 5 with a Japanese accent. The two share almost everything from motors to batteries to chassis, with Nissan engineers admitting to us that there’s been nothing done to the mechanical bits to separate the Micra from the 5.
The designers have given the car at least a little of its own personality, though. The cues are subtle but deliberate: the headlights with their circular running lights nod back to the K12 Micra of the early 2000s (if you’ve got some imagination), and round taillights replace the Renault’s vertical clusters. A chunky rubbing strip runs along the doors, and there’s a playful “gelato scoop” crease beneath the windows. Look closely and you’ll even spot a few Mount Fuji motifs, although the effect of those is somewhat undermined by the very French rooster on the windscreen.
It can’t disguise the Renault DNA, but it does make the Micra feel more cheerful, more approachable. If the Renault 5 is retro chic, the Micra is clean-cut modern.
Inside the new Nissan Micra
Step in and it’s more déjà vu — in a good way. The cabin is almost a carbon copy of the Renault 5’s, but Nissan has tweaked the materials and trim to give it a slightly different vibe. In the Evolve model I drove, the padded faux-leather dash trim gave a near-premium feel, though there’s still plenty of hard plastic lower down to remind you this is a car that starts at under £23k.
Space up front is generous, with plenty of adjustment in the seats and driving position. Even taller drivers won’t struggle, and, as if to prove it, I shared a car with EV Powered’s giant of an editor. Rear space is another story, though. It’s fine for kids or very short hops with adults, but cramped otherwise, with far less kneeroom than some other compact rivals.
Boot space is better news. At 326 litres, it’s bigger than many larger cars, though the high loading lip makes lugging heavy items a bit more awkward.
The tech is where the Micra really shines. The 10.0-inch infotainment system runs on Android Automotive. Given the sorry state of Nissan’s infotainment systems in its other vehicles, this is a huge leap forward, and one point where we should be glad about the Renault-Nissan alliance. Google Maps is built in, route planning takes charging stops into account automatically, and the interface is crisp and responsive. And, of course, you can load in at least some of your own apps, and log in to personalise the experience. Despite the digital makeover, physical climate controls remain, which is a relief.
New Nissan Micra’s electric power and range
Buyers get two options. The entry-level Micra uses a 40kWh battery with a 122hp motor, good for up to 198 miles (officially, at least) and a 0–62mph time of nine seconds. Step up to the 52kWh battery and you get 150hp, 0–62mph in eight seconds, and a range of up to 260 miles.
On Rotterdam’s mix of city streets, canalside roads, and a blast on the motorway, I averaged around 4.3 miles/kWh. That works out to a real-world range of just over 220 miles in the larger-battery model, although expect that to dip closer to 180 on long motorway runs, especially in winter. Still, that’s more than enough for most people’s daily needs.
Charging speeds are competitive if not groundbreaking. Both models can charge from 15–80% in about 30 minutes on a rapid charger, with speeds of up to 80kW for the smaller battery, and 100kW for the larger. In real terms, that’s 145 miles of extra motoring in half an hour, based on my personal experience. At home, a 7kW wallbox will fill the car overnight. Nissan has also fitted every Micra with a heat pump as standard, which should help efficiency when temperatures drop.
Nissan Micra review: On the road
If you’re expecting fireworks, you’ll be disappointed. The Micra isn’t trying to be a hot hatch, but it is fun. The instant torque of the electric motor makes it feel lively around town, and the well-weighted steering helps it dart confidently through traffic.
At higher speeds, performance tails off, but that’s to be expected. The ride is more than a touch firm over rougher surfaces, particularly on 18-inch wheels, yet it never tips into uncomfortable. It feels mature and composed, more “grown-up” than Micras of old, and very European (maybe even French…) in character.
I did enjoy the flexibility of the regenerative braking. Flick the paddles behind the steering wheel and you can adjust the level instantly, from gentle coasting to strong one-pedal driving. It makes urban driving a breeze and gives the Micra a bit more personality than you might expect.
Running costs of the new Nissan Micra
Prices are virtually identical to the Renault 5, which is a little surprising. The range starts with the Engage trim, at £22,995 (before a discount thanks to the government’s Electric Car Grant), which has the smaller 40kWh battery pack but is still loaded with tech. Advance adds some more equipment, and the choice of either the 40 or 52kWh battery, while Evolve tops the range at £29,865, with heated seats and steering wheel, a Harman Kardon stereo, two-tone paint, and the larger 52kWh battery as standard.
There’s a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, which is less generous than Kia provides, but matches what you’ll get from Ford, Skoda, and even Volvo. Service intervals are usage-based, but an annual visit to the dealer is recommended.
Nissan Micra review: The verdict
The new Micra doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It takes everything good about the Renault 5 and gives it a fresh twist. It’s efficient, fun to drive, and packed with useful tech. Rear space is tight, the boot has a high lip, and it lacks the Renault’s retro-chic star quality, but it’s still one of the most convincing small EVs on the market.
And there’s good reason for that. Sorry to bang on about the Renault, but it won the sought-after Car of the Year award
this year, and the Micra is all but identical. That means it’s every bit as good as what’s been recognised as the best car on sale.
For anyone who remembers the Micra as a cheap learner’s car, this feels like a massive leap forward. It’s still accessible, still approachable, but now very much ready for the electric age.
This or a Renault 5? Honestly, it comes down to which take on style you prefer.
Model tested: Nissan Micra Evolve 52kWh
Price: £29,865
Average Joes rating: ★★★★★
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.