Nissan Micra

FIRST DRIVE Sixth generation of brand's supermini owes much to all-new Renault 5, but retains it own character

- Jordan Katsianis

THE new Nissan Micra is an all-electric supermini developed in collaboration with Renault. Its compact size and upright proportions make it an ideal choice for buyers looking for an urban supermini, plus it comes with the latest technology and a striking look.

It's only available with a five-door body, and while full UK specifications have yet to be finalised, we do know it'll come with two battery options, and in three trim levels. Pricing is also yet to be set, but we suspect it'll start in the region of £24,000, rising to somewhere around £30,000.

Look closely at the Micra and you might find an element or two in common with the new Renault 5, but the French car is one of our favourite new superminis, so this is no bad thing. However, there are still plenty of differences between the two, not least their dramatically different designs.

The Micra's recipe itself is not a complex one. There's a single front-mounted motor taking care of propulsion and a battery pack powering it. The front end is borrowed from normal supermini stock with a MacPherson strut-style suspension system. But the rear is more sophisticated and integrates a multi-link axle that's unusual for the class - save for a MINI Cooper, and the Renault 5, obviously.

Even so, while it's not especially sporty in corners, it finds a good balance between feeling alert and being comfortable. The suspension gives a secure feeling, and although it's a touch firm, it's never crashy. Helped by the accurate steering, it makes the Micra an easy car to drive.

There are two powertrain options in the UK: an entry-level 40kWh model with 119bhp, and a more powerful 52kWh model with 148bhp. Neither are firecrackers in terms of outright performance, but they offer good responses at low speed and mean the Micra feels nippy and agile around town.