Nissan Micra – Value for money
For nearly three decades, the Nissan Micra has been a superstar on the supermini sales floor, thanks to the Micra’s reputation for reliability. The fourth generation of the Micra is more spacious and luxurious as it aims to beat the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo. It’s more efficient and better equipped too. Micras are sold all over the world, so build quality is compromised.
There’s a problem with the new Micra though, it doesn’t have the same unabashed appeal of its predecessor. Nissan designers are more conservative in styling the new Micra. More expensive Acenta models have been given a boost by adding 15-inch alloy wheels. The door handles and mirrors have also been finished in body color. The top-of-the-range Tekna model now has a panoramic glass roof. Once you get in, you immediately feel that the Micra has been built as a budget car. The plastics feel cheap and some sharp edges are left over from the molding process. The switchgear feels flimsy.
The Micra is an excellent city car thanks to its good visibility, compact exterior dimensions and light controls. But once you hit the highway, the Nissan’s shortcomings soon become apparent. The steering wheel is unresponsive and the ride is bumpy and the shifter is lazy. The powertrain is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. It lacks power, but makes up for it by giving a sound with character. The Micra has received a four-star Euro NCAP rating, meaning it lags behind its rivals when it comes to safety. You get four airbags, Isofix anchor points for child seats, and electronic stability control. The Micra has a strong reliability record that plays a big part in Micra sales.
There is a lot of space in the cabin due to a vertical body. Two adults should be able to fit in the rear, which also features a split/fold feature on Acenta and Tekna variants. Boot capacity is 265 litres, more than you’ll get in a Mazda 2 or Hyundai i20. As expected from a supermini with low running costs, the 1.0-litre engine offers 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions are 115g/km. Its maintenance is cheap and it is divided into five insurance groups, which means low-cost coverage. The depreciation is not as much as about 40% of Mirca’s control over his securities. There are also a fair number of kits available; The Tekna variant gets satellite navigation parking sensors and climate control.
