New Micra chip off the old blockbuster

The Nissan Micra used to be a firm favourite among UK learners, being easy to drive, compact and cheap to run. But over the years it lost its mojo and became a rather forgettable alternative to the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo. So Nissan axed it in 2022.

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But now the firm is bringing it back as an EV. Here we see if it's got what it takes to trump the likes of the Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5.

WHAT'S NEW?

The Micra sits on the same platform as the Renault 5 and the same interior layout, drivetrains and mechanicals. The exterior styling has been tweaked to differentiate it and there are different interior fabrics and materials.

UNDER THE BONNET?

There are two battery sizes, the same found in the R5. Our car has a 52kWh battery with an electric motor producing 147bhp. It does 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and the top speed is 93mph. Nissan claims 260 miles fully charged with 100kW DC rapid-charging taking 30 minutes to go from a 15 to 80 per cent top-up. There is a smaller 40kWh battery offering 198 miles on one charge.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The Micra drives almost like the R5, but that’s not a criticism. It's best suited to urban driving with its light steering and tight turning circle.