Micra-Managing

After creating the crossover sector, Nissan fancies re-energising its supermini credentials with the highly sophisticated and sharp-suited fifth-generation Micra.

- Steve Loader

NISSAN’S best-known UK model of the Noughties was the Micra. The supermini was also built here, at the Japanese marque’s massive Sunderland plant.

But when that site started building the Qashqai in 2007, thereby creating the crossover sector, Nissan’s most junior model slipped down the pecking order.

It was not helped by the 2010 fourth generation car; more conventional than its funky predecessor and built in India to keep costs down (which showed).

It was also designed to please as many global markets as possible, a move guaranteed to create a jack-of-all-trades that failed to please the discerning drivers of Europe and the UK.