Nissan Micra - not so "small" anymore

B-segment cars are the most practical offer for people who rarely travel outside the city. Small, ubiquitous, economical. Unfortunately, it has somehow become so commonplace that limousines, sports coupes or fast hot hatches are filled with testosterone, and city cars are rather polite, sweet and funny. But is it always?

The first generation of urban Nissan appeared in 1983. More than thirty years later, the time has come for a new, fifth version of this popular model. Little Micra has found a lot of supporters: since the beginning of its production, almost 3,5 million copies have been sold in Europe, and as many as 7 million in the world. However, the new Micra is nothing like its predecessors.

Completely different from the previous two generations

Let's be honest - the previous two generations of Micra looked like funny cakes. The car was associated as a typical female and more than once in the parking lots you could see cars with ... eyelashes stuck to the headlights. There was rarely a man behind the wheel, and the emotions that accompanied this car were comparable to Saturday dusting.

Looking at the new Micra, it's hard to see any heritage from the model. It currently has more Pulsar genes than its predecessors. Representatives of the brand themselves admit that "the new Micra is no longer small." Indeed, it is difficult to better define this metamorphosis. The car has become 17 centimeters longer, 8 centimeters wider, but 5,5 centimeters lower. In addition, the wheelbase has been lengthened by 75 millimeters, reaching 2525 mm, with a total length of less than 4 meters.

Size aside, the styling of the Micra has completely changed. Now the Japanese city dweller is much more expressive, and the body is decorated with a lot of massive embossing. The front has a dominant grille and headlights with LED daytime running lights available on all trim levels. Optionally, we can equip the Micra with full LED lighting. There is a slightly subtle embossing on the side, running in a wavy line from the headlight to the rear light, reminiscent of a boomerang. The hidden rear door handles are also an interesting solution.

We can choose from 10 body colors (including two matte ones) and a host of personalization packages, such as the Energy Orange color we tested. We must admit that the new Micra in gray-orange colors, "planted" on 17-inch wheels, looks quite good. We can personalize not only mirror and bumper covers, but also stickers that are applied at the factory, for which the customer receives a 3-year warranty. In addition, we can choose from three types of interior, which gives a total of 125 different combinations of Micra. Everything points to the fact that there is a real fashion for the personalization of city cars.

Spacious Citizen

B-segment cars aren't as driver-focused as the smaller A-segment brethren, but let's face it, we usually drive alone. There is plenty of room in the front row of seats. If you believe the technical data, thanks to the wide range of adjustment options for the driver's seat, a person with a height of two meters can comfortably sit behind the wheel! Passengers traveling in the back might be a little unhappy, though, as the sofa isn't one of the most spacious in the world.

Interior trim materials are decent, although in some places there is not very aesthetic plastic. The interior of the Micra is nonetheless eye-catching, especially in the personalized variant with orange accents. The front panel of the dashboard is trimmed with juicy orange eco-leather. The central tunnel next to the gear lever is also finished in a similar material. Beneath the 5" touch screen (we also have a 7" screen as an option) is a simple and very clear air conditioning control panel. The multi-function steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, fits well in the hands, giving the Micra a slightly sporty feel.

Even though the Micra is a city car, sometimes you may need to take extra luggage with you. We have at our disposal as much as 300 liters of luggage space, which puts the Micra in first place in its segment. After folding the rear seat (in proportions 60:40) we get 1004 liters of volume. Unfortunately, opening the tailgate reveals that the loading opening is not too large, which can make it difficult to pack bulky items.

The new Nissan Micra is equipped with a Bose audio system with Personal, specifically designed for the B-segment driver's headrest. When we lean our head against it, we may get the impression that we are immersed in a "sound bubble", but holding our head in a normal position, it is difficult to notice any difference. Additionally, under the driver's seat there is a small amplifier. What is surprising is the complete absence of sound in the second row of seats.

Security Systems

Previously, the car just drove and everyone was happy. Much is expected of the modern automotive industry. Cars should be beautiful, comfortable, compact, reliable and, above all, safe. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine that Micra would not have systems that support the driver and ensure the safety of passengers. The new model is equipped with, among other things, an intelligent emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, a set of cameras with a 360-degree view and an assistant in case of an unplanned lane change. In addition, the new urban Nissan is equipped with a traffic sign recognition system and automatic high beams, which greatly facilitates movement in the dark.

A bit of technology

When driving the Micra over transverse bumps in the road, the vehicle stabilizes very quickly. This is due to the impulses transmitted, including to the brakes, which are designed to align and “calm” the body as quickly as possible. In addition, steering is facilitated by the inner wheel braking system when cornering. As a result, when cornering at high speed, the driver retains a constant sense of control over the car, and the car does not float on the road. Nissan engineers say the suspension and construction of the new Micra is capable of delivering up to 200 horsepower. Could this be a silent announcement from Micra Nismo?…

Because it takes... three to tango?

The new Nissan Micra is available with three completely different engines. We can choose from two three-cylinder petrol options - a 0.9 I-GT paired with a turbocharger or a one-liter "solo". The brand acknowledges that the 0.9 variant should be the main selling point for this model. Less than a liter of displacement, with the help of a turbocharger, is able to generate about 90 horsepower with a maximum torque of 140 Nm. A slightly larger, liter, naturally aspirated "brother" has less power - 73 horsepower and a very modest maximum torque - only 95 Nm. Fans of diesel engines will be delighted with the introduction of the third engine in the lineup. I'm talking about a 1.5 dCi diesel with 90 horsepower and a maximum torque of 220 Nm.

Micra in gold

Finally, there is the issue of price. The cheapest Nissan Micra with a naturally aspirated liter engine in the Visia version costs PLN 45. Everything would be fine, but ... In this configuration, we get a car without a radio and air conditioning ... You don't want to believe it, but unfortunately it's true. Fortunately, in the Visia+ version (PLN 990 more expensive), the car will be equipped with air conditioning and a basic audio system. Maybe this is the most expensive air conditioner (and radio) in modern Europe? It is worth noting that the BOSE Personal version is only available in the top Tekna configuration, which is not available for this engine.

If you decide to get a broken 0.9, you need to choose the Visia + version (at least we have radio and air conditioning!) And pay the bill for 52 PLN. The highest available Micra configuration with this engine is PLN 490 (according to the price list), but we can choose additional additional equipment for the car. Thus, our test Micra (with a 61 engine, in the second version of N-Connect on top, which initially cost PLN 990), after adding all packages and accessories, received a cost of exactly PLN 0.9. This is a pretty exorbitant price for a B-segment city dweller.

The new Nissan Micra has changed beyond recognition. The car is no longer boring and “feminine”, on the contrary, it attracts attention with its modern look and excellent handling. And with the right equipment, a small Nissan may not lead us to bankruptcy. The brand acknowledges that the Micra should become the second sales pillar behind the X-Trail model, and with the fifth generation of the city baby, Nissan plans to return to the top 10 in the B-segment.