Nissan Micra (2025) review: Less style, more substance
At a glance
| Price new | £22,995 - £29,865 |
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| Road tax cost | £195 |
| Insurance group | 19 - 22 |
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| Fuel economy | Not tested to latest standards |
| Range | 198 - 260 miles |
| Number of doors | 5 |
| View full specs for a specific version | |
Available fuel types
Fully electric
Pros & cons
- Fun to drive
- User-friendly interior
- Competitive range and price
- Tight for rear seat passengers
- Stiff ride
- Boot has a high loading lip
Nissan Micra Electric Hatchback rivals
Overview
Should you buy a Nissan Micra?
Yes. While it’s arguably less desirable than the Renault 5 on which it’s based, the Micra is better in a couple of key areas. If the finances stack up and you like the looks, it could be the small electric car for you.
What’s new?
Although the Micra rides on a platform that’s new to Nissan, you don’t have to look very hard to see that it’s a sister car to the Renault 5 – no bad thing at all. It shares the same motor and battery options as the 5 whilst offering a little bit more driving range, more easily adjusted regenerative braking, and the ability to add a couple of useful options to mid and top-spec models.
Most external panels are new, and there’s a nod to the roundy round Mk3 Micra in the front and rear lights. However, the angular roofline is identical to the 5 and it’s even more similar inside.
Other rivals include the Citroen e-C3, Fiat Grande Panda, and BYD Dolphin Surf. To see how the Micra stacks up, keep reading for our full review. If you want to know how we test cars, we have an explainer page for you.
What’s it like inside?
Just like a Renault 5 albeit with different fabric/leatherette panels on the front doors and dash, and a big Nissan badge on the steering wheel. Not that I’m complaining; like the 5 the interior is well screwed together and has a good blend of physical and touch-sensitive controls.
This includes a row of switches for the climate control and a couple of buttons on the top of the infotainment binnacle to control the volume. The infotainment itself is essentially the Google-based system from the 5 with a light reskin to make it look a little different. Impressive graphics, quick responses and logical menus make this the best infotainment system yet fitted to a Nissan.
Front space is plentiful, with seats that go a long way back and have lots of height adjustment. Lumbar support adjustment is standard on top-spec models, too. The rear is predictably more cramped given the size of the car and is best left to shorter adults and children. Even then, you might need to ask front seat passengers to raise their seats to free up a bit more foot room.
Boot space is a good 326-litres, and all but top spec Evolve models get an underfloor storage area for your cable. If you do splash out on Evolve, this space is swallowed by a subwoofer. You’ll find the loading lip is tall whichever
Nissan Micra range, charging and motors
Like the 5, there’s a choice of a 40kWh battery with a motor that produces 120hp or a 52kWh pack that ups power to 150hp. Both power the front wheels, with the base car taking 9.0 seconds to do 0-62mph, and the punchier one 8.0 seconds.
Range is up slightly thanks to more slippery aerodynamics. This means 40kWh models are good for up to 198 miles according to WLTP combined figures, and 52kWh ones 260 miles. A few hours driving in and around Rotterdam gave an efficiency figure of 4.2 miles per kWh. That’s good for a calculated range of 218 miles, but expect this to drop below 200 if you’re on the motorway a lot or it’s winter.
You can rapid charge the small battery at up to 80kW and the bigger one at 100kW. Both will give you a 15-80% charge in half an hour on a potent enough charger. A 7kW home wallbox will fully charge the Micra in six to nine hours depending on battery size.
It will take an 11kW AC charge if you’ve got access to a charger to support those speeds, and it’ll even do vehicle to load (V2L) to power 230v household items. A 500kg towing limit is handy should you outgrow the boot.
What’s it like to drive?
The Micra’s oily bits are identical to the 5’s, and Nissan hasn’t tweaked the suspension, either. That provides a ride and handling balance that’s skewed towards agility without totally sacrificing comfort. A Citroen e-C3 is noticeably softer, but the Micra is way more compliant than a MINI hatch.
Quick steering, confidence inspiring brakes and plenty of grip means it’ll cover ground quickly whilst providing the driver some fun. Regenerative braking strength is variable via steering wheel mounted paddles, and there’s a one pedal mode for urban environments.
What models and trims are available?
There are three trims to pick from, with the range kicking off with Engage. You get rear parking sensors, wheeltrims, a four-speaker stereo, seven-inch driver’s display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
Upgrading to Advance gives you 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, a bigger driver’s display and connected services for the infotainment. Top spec Evolve gets a black or grey roof, a Harmon Kardon stereo, heated front seats and steering wheel, and adjustable lumbar support.
What else should I know?
One of the styling features that marks out the Micra is the ‘gelato scoop’ that runs the length of the car just below the window line. It looks exactly like it sounds, as if someone has run an ice cream scoop down the side.
