New looks add some class; comfy seats; nice quality interior; value
Not quite as refined as the best in class (especially on the freeway)
If we had a dollar for every kilometer we’ve driven in Nissan Micras we’d be retired and sipping a cool refreshment on a beach in Florida. Your www.carshowroom.com.au even did numerous Sydney-Melbourne trips in the original 1995 model to verify fuel consumption records.
And we went to Sunderland, near Newcastle in the North of England, to see Australia’s first Nissan Micra come down the assembly line. So yes, we have a soft spot for Nissan’s compact hatchback.
Around seven million global sales later times have changed: the Micra we get here – and the one they sell in Europe – now comes from Nissan’s plant in India. Micra is also made Thailand, Mexico and China leaving the Sunderland, UK plant to focus on production of the Leaf, Qashqai, Note and Juke.
But not everything has turned around. Nissan Micra today – like its predecessors – is super value-for money and presents a compelling case for parents buying a new car for first-time drivers in the form of driver and front passenger front-impact airbags, driver and front passenger side-impact airbags and front to rear curtain airbags.
All of that and a starting price of just $13,490.
Nissan Micra Overview
For this mid-life update Nissan Australia has adjusted the model lineup. The mid-grade ST-L model has been jettisoned and now we have just entry-model ST and range-topping Ti.
There’s a mild facelift (new front-end) and specification changes as well.
So Nissan Micra ST adds as standard cruise control, rear power windows, factory-fitted Bluetooth with audio streaming and USB connectivity.
And Nissan Micra Ti gets all of that plus satellite navigation, reversing camera and new premium quality interior trim.
The lineup looks like this:
| Nissan Micra ST manual | $13,490 |
| Nissan Micra ST automatic | $15,290 |
| Nissan Micra Ti automatic | $16,990 |
Nissan Micra Engine
No driveline changes in this mid-life update – Nissan Micra continuing with its punchy naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine. Maximum power is 56kW at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 104Nmis delivered at 4,000rpm.
For fuel combined-cycle fuel consumption you can chalk-up 5.9l/100kms (manual) and 6.5l/100kms (automatic).
No doubt about it – Nissan Micra’s 1.2-litre is the best of the ‘atmo’ three-cylinder powerplants.
Nissan Micra The Interior
As we know, Micra is a vehicle Nissan targets for Europe and this shows with its classy interior which has been upgraded and now features an even better quality look and feel. In that context it does come as a bit of a surprise the steering column is only tilt adjustable (no reach).
However you do get a rather sporty three-spoke steering wheel which in the tactile sense is certainly better than some rather less-equipped rivals. And there’s no doubt the seats in Nissan Micra are amongst the best in this league for comfort and support.
Other changes for Nissan Micra include a new centre cluster and instrumentation. Range-topping Nissan Micra Ti scores a 5.8-inch touch-screen satellite navigation system and reversing camera.
Oh and the previous wind-up rear windows in the ST have been replaced by electrically-operated ones – very first world we know but we like to be thorough.
Rear seat accommodation is on-par with others in this segment. Same for the luggage space which of course isn’t massive (251-litres with the rear seat in-place) so you’ll need to activate the 60:40 split-fold rear seat if venturing out for a surf or a round of golf.
Nissan Micra Exterior & Styling
Even at first glance you’ll pick the updated looks of the 2015 Nissan Micra. Nissan has given its compact hatchback a bit of pizzazz courtesy of its new ‘corporate’ (meaning other models will copy – see the all-new Navara) ‘V-Motion’ front grille.
There’s also sharp new headlights, new front guards, new bumpers front and rear and new rear lights (LED for Ti). As well, Ti models score body-colour door handles, fog lights and a roof spoiler.
Entry-level ST models ride on 14-inch steel wheels while the Ti steps-up to 15-inch alloys.
Nissan Micra On The Road
Nissan Micra is primarily a city car so no surprise Nissan organized a city-based drive program for the national media launch of the facelifted model. In fact the route from Nissan Casting Australia in Dandenong South to the airport traversed roads we use frequently.
Our Micra test car was a Ti grade and hence drove via the four-speed automatic. Its smooth changes again had us scratching our heads about CVT autos (yes, we know they save a fuel drops of fuel but the price in driveability is not insignificant).
That four-speed auto was nicely matched to Nissan’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (as we mentioned it’s the best of the ‘atmo’ three-cylinders). So the Eastlink and Monash freeways were covered with ample acceleration for merging and maintaining a cruising speed at the legal limit.
Ride and handling too were just as we remembered from our previous tests of the Micra – nice grip from the 175/60 R15 tyres, predictable response and, all things considered rather fun to drive (the tell-tale three-cylinder growl was impressive when working hard).
Of course it’s in built-up areas where Nissan Micras spend most of their lives and there you’ll be well look-after with excellent maneuverability thanks to nicely-weighted steering and a diminutive nine metre turning circle. In a nutshell the Micra has no real vices and will be ideal for mums and those who’ve just gained their drivers’ license.
Nissan Micra Issues
Road noise can get intrusive particularly at freeway speeds.
Nissan Micra Verdict
A smart update for Nissan’s compact hatchback. We’ve always rated the Nissan Micra very highly and we like the styling changes included in this mid-life facelift.
As always in this segment, value is the key driver. And on that front, Nissan’s changes to the Micra lineup and extra kit make perfect sense.
Nissan Micra The Competition
As if life wasn’t difficult for the Nissan Micra and every other compact car in Australia’s most competitive market segment, along came Mazda with the astonishingly good Mazda2 priced from $14,990. OK that’s not the cheapest price in a segment where every cent counts but the ‘2’ is without doubt the new benchmark with its all-round class, SkyActiv everything technology, two handy 1.5-litre engines (the 81kW/141Nm version marginally better than the 79kW/139Nm version) and driving dynamics to match the Ford Fiesta for best-in-class.
Ford’s Fiesta ranks alongside the Mazda2 as the pick of compacts according to the www.carshowroom.com.au team. Yes it too it pricier than the Nissan Micra (from $15,825 to $25,990 – the latter for the racy turbocharged 1.6-litre ST model) but you get a car born and developed in Europe with European design, European ride and handling and very high quality throughout.
While Hyundai is about to launch an all-new Hyundai i20 which we’re sure will be excellent, even the current model would be on our shopping list. Hyundai i20 looks the part, the interior is all class and the 74kW/136Nm 1.4-litre engine packs a punch. Priced from $15,590 it is also worth the extra coin if you can stretch.
And also a ‘must-include’ on your list if the Kia Rio. Prices start at $15,290, power comes from a 79kW/135Nm 1.4-litre (or more coin you can opt for a powerful 1.6-litre). The pen of German master stylist Peter Schreyer is obvious in Rio’s edgy styling and in our eyes, until the Fiesta and Mazda2 arrived, this was the pick of the compacts and is still amongst the best.
