Nissan Micra review: more than just a rebadged Renault?

Look at the new Nissan Micra and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d seen it before. That’s because, aside from exterior styling differences, this electric hatchback is mechanically identical to the Renault 5.

In the context of the Micra itself, this is a positive development. As part of a 21st-century turn, the supermini is now squarely aimed at younger buyers. At least, that’s what Nissan is hoping. No longer is this the car that your grandma drives. 

Based on how good the Renault 5 is to drive, we’re expecting equally good things from the Micra. That’s to say, the Micra should be fun to drive, comfortable and have a pleasant interior. But is it? Read on to find out.

There’s no getting around it; the Nissan Micra looks an awful lot like the Renault 5. The only exterior changes are some modified headlights, plus adjusted bumpers and body surfacing. According to Nissan, nothing beneath the metal has changed - so it’s the same drivetrain, chassis and suspension tuning as the 5. 

Move inside, and it’s the same story. As standard, the Micra gets a 7in digital driver display paired with a 10.1in infotainment system, while higher trims get a dual 10.1in screen setup. Space is identical to the 5, which means an airy front row, though legroom is lacking in the rear.

Underneath, there’s a choice of battery configurations. Cars with the 40kWh battery have a range of 198 miles, while those with 52kWh batteries have 259 miles. All can charge at speeds of up to 100KW, which is competitive for the class.

Efficiency is claimed to stand at 4.1mpkWh. We’ve not extensively tested the Micra’s efficiency yet, but Nissan’s hatch showed the same lack of efficiency at motorway speeds as the Renault 5. On faster roads, expect no more than 180 miles from models with a 54kWh battery.

The Micra’s chassis development was left to Renault, which means this small EV is fun to drive at urban speeds and agile on faster country roads. It’s a small, nimble car, which thankfully also possesses comfortable ride quality. Noise isolation levels are good, too.

Two motor options offer 121bhp or 148bhp, with the more powerful version hitting 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. It’s not the quickest car around, but the Micra makes good use of strong off-the-line performance. Power tails off at higher speeds - but that’s to be expected at this price point.

Standard equipment is good and includes a heat pump to boost efficiency. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports and 18-inch wheels are also standard. Features including a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charging, heated seats and a heated steering wheel are found on higher specifications.

Fun to drive, comfortable enough and nice to sit in, the Nissan Micra is a very competent small electric car. However, it’s not as good to look at as the Renault 5 on which it is based - and that’s a key factor in the small French car’s success. For such similar prices, it’s largely down to which design you prefer.