• Micra promises low fuel and tax bills
• No hybrid version
• Rivals better for economy and emissions

The Nissan Micra isn’t the most efficient of superminis, with no diesel or any form of hybridisation. Expect mpg in the 40s in the real world while full hybrid rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris will easily achieve over 50mpg in mixed driving, with urban economy even more impressive.

Insurance will be cheap, since the lowliest Micra falls into group 1. Even the highest-spec models only fall into group 8, out of 50.

Nissan claims the model should be cheap to repair in a minor scrape, helping to secure those low insurance groupings.

Reliability

• Nissan has a decent reliability record
• Renault-sourced engines should be strong
• Micra looks set to be a problem-free mini

Historically, Nissan Micras have been among the most reliable superminis out there. We are confident this level of engineering precision should continue with the model introduced in 2017.

All the engines come from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and there are few reports of any problems with the three engines available at launch.

However, we’d be tempted to say that the simpler, cheaper 1.0-litre petrol, shorn of the turbocharged plumbing and diesel filters of the others, may be the most straightforward car for cheap, trouble-free motoring in the long run.