An effortless drive through city streets, the new Nissan Micra is manoeuvrable and nippy, making it ideal for urban living. Large windows and slim pillars mean that all round visibility is excellent, so parking in small spaces will never be difficult.
A car you can always rely on, the Nissan Micra has plenty of safety equipment to keep you protected on the road. Stability control and anti-lock brakes are fitted as standard along with front, side and curtain airbags for complete peace of mind.
Engines, performance and comfort
Two 1.2 litre engines are available, both petrol and three-cylinder rather than four. If cutting back on fuel consumption is a priority, this little sprog will save a small fortune . Drivers can hit 62 mph in 13.7 seconds in the basic 79bhp Micra. The new DIG-S supercharged version, which delivers 97bhp, is noticeably zippier but it’s best to go for the manual gearbox as the automatic one gives the impression that the tank is filled with Mogadon. That said, this compact car, with its ultra-light steering and small footprint is ideal for city driving and parking.
The cabin is very comfortable for a smaller car, and the suspension interacts very well with even the most bumpy of road surfaces.
Practicality and fuel economy
Nissan has established a well-deserved reputation for reliability over the years and there is little reason to suppose that the Micra won’t confirm it admirably. Its safety profile is exceptionally good, with ESP and anti-lock braking. All models are fitted with six air bags. Boot space is a little on the small side at 265 litres, but even tall passengers will find that they have plenty of space at the front and the rear.
With a gearbox that puffs out mere wisps of CO2 (115g/km), owners can be confident that their annual road tax bill won’t exceed £35. The combined fuel economy is 56.5 mpg for the more basic engine and an impressive 68.9 mpg for the supercharged version. CO2 emissions plummet to 99g/km on these models, so owners will be altogether exempt from road tax, not to mention the London Congestion Charge.
Prices
This is a budget car with a budget price tag and the Nissan Micra doesn’t pretend to be otherwise. The entry-level “Visia” comes with a CD-radio and Bluetooth but these are bog-standard these days. Take a little hop up the range and there’s cruise and climate control along with alloy wheels with the “Ascenta.” Those who want to go for the top model will have sat-nav, automatic lights, automatic wipers and parking sensors, big car gadgets in a pint-sized motor. Prices range from £9,650 - £14,650.
For further details on the new Nissan Micra, visit your local Lookers Nissan dealer in Chester today.