Nissan Micra review

If the latest Nissan Micra were a person, it would be the performer who had to go on after rock ’n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis had just set fire to his piano.

Yes, to say it has a tough act to follow is a massive understatement. It’s the second electric car to emerge from a joint project between Nissan and Renault, with it sharing its underpinnings, batteries and motors with the Renault 5 – a car that's received a lot of plaudits, including being named What Car? Car of the Year.

Nissan Micra video

Other rivals include the Fiat 500e and Mini Cooper Electric. And like those models – and indeed the Renault 5 – the Micra looks to the past for its design inspiration; its elliptical headlights and round taillights are a nod to the third-generation (K12) Micra from 2002.

This might help it pull at the heart strings of all those people who either had a Micra as their first car or were driven around by their granny in one when they were a child. But is the style backed up with enough substance for us to recommend the Micra over the best electric cars?

What’s new?
- August 2025: Micra prices and specifications released
- May 2025: all-new Nissan Micra EV revealed, which is based on the Renault 5. All models will have Google connectivity built in, including smart route planning to take into account recharging stops
 

How fast is it and which motor is best?

The cheapest version of the Nissan Micra (badged Engage) comes with a 121bhp electric motor, which provides enough power to push the car to 62mph in a not too shabby 9.0 seconds.

This unit is also available with the mid spec Advance trim. Or, alternatively, there's the option of a 148bhp motor (standard on the range-topping Evolve model) that cuts the 0-62mph time to 7.8 seconds. Okay, that's still not as swift as a Mini Cooper SE, but it’s in-line with an equivalent Renault 5, and far nipper than any Citroën e-C3 or Fiat 500e.

We’d go for this bigger-motor Micra, not only because its extra oomph is useful out of town, but also because it brings a bigger battery that increases the range between charges (see below).

To cater for different driving scenarios, there are four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso (short for personal), which can be selected using a button on the steering wheel. They adjust the power and torque, accelerator response and steering weight, as well as the car’s ambient interior lighting.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The Micra drives just like a Renault 5, which is a good thing, because it means its ride is supple enough to cushion you well over bumps and potholes, yet controlled enough that the car never feels anything less than composed.

True, the e-C3 is also a comfortable cruiser, but the Micra is far more confidence inspiring in the corners, thanks to accurate steering, good grip and strong brakes.

Is it fun to drive? Next to the e-C3, the 500e and BYD's Dolphin Surf, yes, although the Micra's handling isn't quite as sharp as a Mini Cooper Electric's.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

A lot of electric cars have decidedly grabby brakes. However, the Micra has the same ‘brake by wire’ technology as the Renault 5, and this makes it fairly easy to slow the car smoothly.

As a bonus, in range-topping Evolve trim, the Micra gets something no Renault 5 has: paddles behind the steering wheel, which allow you to adjust how much energy is put back into the battery when you lift off the accelerator, and consequently how quickly the car slows. There are four settings, including a one-pedal mode that's so strong the car will swiftly come to a halt without you touching the brake pedal at all.

The Micra is pretty quiet on the move; there's only a small amount of wind noise at 70mph, although tyre noise is more intrusive than it is in the BYD Dolphin Surf and e-C3.

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The smaller of the Micra's two battery options (which you get with the 121bhp motor) has a 40kWh capacity and an official range of up to 198 miles on a full charge. Meanwhile, the 148bhp motor is paired with a 52kWh battery and delivers up to 260 miles officially. 

Both of these ranges are slightly higher than those of the equivalent Renault 5, because the Micra has a more aerodynamic shape.

Although the 52kWh battery can charge a little faster than the 40kWh one (100kW compared with 80kW), they’re both capable of receiving a 15-80% top-up in 30 minutes, as long as you’re plugged into a fast enough public charging point.

All Micra models come with an EV heat pump as standard, for more efficient warming of the interior in cold weather.

“The Micra has no 'park' option for the gearbox. The parking brake comes on automatically when you turn the power off or open a door. Once I got used to this, I found it a great time-saving feature.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The Micra has a Nissan badge on the steering wheel, an outline of Mount Fuji on the centre console and a Micra-specific colour scheme, but apart from that, it’s pretty much the same as a Renault 5 inside. 

Again, though, that’s a good thing, because it means the interior is smart, modern and surprisingly plush for a car at its price point. You get soft-touch plastics and padded fabric on the dashboard and doors, which give it a more premium feel than than a Citroën e-C3 or Fiat 500e, and raise it very close to the standard of a Mini Cooper Electric. 

We’ve only driven a top-spec Micra so far, though, and we expect the entry-level version to be a bit more basic, as is the case with the cheapest Renault 5.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The driver’s seat is comfortable and lines up neatly with the pedals and steering wheel, plus top-spec Evolve trim comes with electronically adjustable lumbar support as standard.

Adjustable lumbar support is also an option on the mid-level Advance spec. Standard fare on Advance is six-way manually adjustable seats, while entry-level Engage gets only four-way adjustment. 

The Micra is easier to see out of than a Cooper Electric. And while the rear screen is fairly small, rear parking sensors are standard on entry-level Engage trim, and the posher trim levels add front sensors and a rear-view camera.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

A digital instrument display sits in front of the driver, with this measuring 7in on the cheapest trim, and 10.1in if you go for one of the higher-spec variants. However, whichever Micra you choose, you get a 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard.

On mid-spec models upwards this borrows the NissanConnect with Google built-in services technology from the larger Nissan Qashqai. It enables the driver to use the screen or voice control to make phone calls, stream music, plan trips via Google Maps, and control various vehicle functions, including the heated seats.

Below this screen, meanwhile, you'll find a handy row of buttons that allow you to alter the air-con temperature and fan speed. These are much easier to use on the move than the touchscreen-only systems in the BYD Dolphin Surf and Mini Cooper Electric. 

Another bonus of the Google built-in system is that it will pre-condition (heat up) the EV battery pack to the optimum temperature for charging if you’re heading for a charging station and using the sat-nav. Plus, the Micra is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so you can use your smartphone apps through its infotainment screen.

“I like the way the Micra's ambient interior lights change colour when you swap between the four driving modes. Red is for Sport, which adds a fun feel to driving.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

How much space does it have for people?

Interior space in the Nissan Micra is identical to that of the Renault 5, and that means even tall adults will be happy up front.

Sadly, though, despite the presence of rear doors (something you don’t get on a Fiat 500e or Mini Cooper Electric), rear-seat passengers are less well catered for. Yes, children and shorter adults will fit just fine, but anyone approaching 6ft tall will feel cramped. The BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën e-C3 are both roomier.

How much room does it have for luggage?

The Micra has 326 litres of boot space, plus a small compartment under the boot floor that’s handy for storing charging cables, although there's no additional storage compartment under the bonnet. 

We’ve not measured the Micra’s boot ourselves, but we expect it to be able to fit four carry-on suitcases beneath the parcel shelf – the same number as the Renault 5. For comparison, the e-C3 can swallow five cases, but the Cooper Electric can take only two.

However, the Micra isn’t as versatile for load carrying as the smaller Hyundai Inster, some versions of which have rear seats that slide back and forward. At least the rear seat backs split 60/40 and can be folded down to create more space. 

“I find it disappointing that there’s a big lip at the boot entrance, because this would be a pain to lift heavy items over.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Although the Micra doesn’t beat the Renault 5’s starting price of £21,495 (after a £1500 electric car grant from the Government), it matches it, so buyers of neither model should feel hard done by. Even the priciest Micra, the Evolve 52kW, comes in well below £30,000 – it’s £28,365 with the EV grant applied. 

That said, the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroën e-C3 cost even less, and we don’t yet know how the Micra will compare with these rivals per month if you're buying on PCP finance.  

Entry-level Engage trim is fairly well kitted out, getting air-conditioning, cruise control and keyless entry as standard.  

We’d recommend stretching to mid-rung Advance trim, though, because it brings the Google-based infotainment system, adaptive cruise control and some extra paint options for the exterior.

The top spec Evolve version adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Nissan’s Propilot driving assistance features and an upgraded sound system. 

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

Although the Micra is too new to have featured in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, it's very encouraging that the previous-generation Nissan Leaf finished third in the electric car class.

A three-year/60,000-mile warranty is provided on most components – a level of cover that's a bit disappointing by modern standards. However, you do at least get five years’ cover for the electric motor and eight years’ on the battery.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The Micra hasn’t yet been tested by the independent safety experts at Euro NCAP. However, given that it shares its underpinnings and technology with the Renault 5, we expect it to gain the same four star (out of five) rating as that car. 

All versions have automatic emergency braking (AEB), driver attention monitoring and lane-keeping and departure assistance. 

What's more, all Micra models are fitted with a Thatcham-approved immobiliser to help prevent them from being stolen.

“I like the level of customisation on offer; the Micra is available in 14 exterior colour combinations, including two-tone options for a black or grey roof.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Buy it if...

- You want a car that’s equally suited to narrow urban streets and high-speed motorway driving 

 - You love old-school styling, but want modern creature comforts

- You can benefit from cheap off-peak home EV charging tariffs

Don’t buy it if…

- You regularly carry tall passengers in the back of your car

- You regularly transport large, bulky items

- You want an EV with a very long range 

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