Nissan Micra (2010-2017) Review

• November 2010 Goes on sale in UK
• February 2011 More powerful and efficient DIG-S engine added to range
• December 2011 Kuro and Shiro special editions introduced, which are based on Micra Acenta cars, but have extra equipment incluing parking sensors and heated seats, as well as the option to upgrade to sat-nav cheaply.
• April 2012 Recall of 4,690 2011 Micras & Jukes for potential fuel leak
• August 2012 The Elle special edition is introduced. Based on the Micra Acenta, it adds a panoramic glass roof, 15in alloy wheels and different seat upholstery.
• May 2013 Recall of 8,288 Jun ’12 - Mar ’13 Micras for braking problem
• June 2013 An update brings revised styling, improved quality and a new dashboard design with a USB port and 12v socket across the range.
• January 2014 Limited Edition joins the range. The roof is painted in a contrasting colour to the rest of the car.
• February 2015 Recall of 1,919 May ’10 - Jul ’12 Micras for airbag issue
• April 2015 Recall of 3,806 Oct ’10 - Feb ’15 Micras for acceleration problem
• August 2015 Introduction of N-Tec trim level with sat-nav and parking sensors.
• January 2017 The car is replaced with an all-new Nissan Micra

1.2, 1.2 DIG-S (petrol)

There are just two 1.2-litre petrol engines offered in the Nissan Micra. The basic 1.2-litre is not very powerful, with just 80 horsepower (hp). It’s cheap, but makes for slow and lethargic progress. It's not very efficient either: a diesel-powered Land Rover Discovery Sport has a better mpg figure.

You can also specify an automatic gearbox with this engine (except in Tekna trim), but it's best avoided unless you really need an automatic Nissan Micra. That's because the automatic is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which delivers worse fuel economy, makes performance even slower and results in the engine making an unpleasant droning noise. 

The best engine for the Micra is the 1.2 DIG-S motor, which is supercharged, boosting performance and improving fuel economy at the same time. It’s offered only in Acenta, N-Tec and Tekna trim. This engine is also available with the CVT gearbox, but only in the most expensive Tekna trim level, and again, fuel economy and performance suffer compared to the manual.

No Micra is particularly fast or satisfying to drive, but it’s a competent performer around town. The 1.2 DIG-S engine in particular doesn't feel too strained on the motorway

Visia Limited Edition, Vibe, Acenta, N-Tec, Tekna

The trim levels on the Nissan Micra let you know how much equipment comes as standard. These did change during the car's life, so it's worth checking the specification to ensure that the car you're looking at has the equipment that you expect.

Visia Limited Edition is the most basic level, coming with central locking, six airbags, a four-speaker stereo with MP3 player and USB ports, Bluetooth phone connectivity, 14in wheels with plastic covers, front electric windows and a one-piece folding rear seat, which means that nobody can sit in the back if you decide to boost luggage capacity by folding the seats.

Micra Vibe models were a full £1,000 more expensive when new, even though they only offer two additional pieces of equipment. You are likely to want them though: air conditioning and 15in alloy wheels. Both of these cheapest trim levels are only available with the least powerful engine.

Nissan charged £1,500 more for an Acenta model, which makes the Micra start to look expensive when new. You would pay another £1,000 on top of that for the more powerful engine. However, the price difference of used cars is considerably smaller, so it maks sense to look for these cars. Acenta Micras have a more practical split-folding rear seat, so you can increase luggage space and have room for at least one passenger in the back. There's also a height adjustable driver's seat, powered side mirrors, front foglights, cruise control and climate control, which allows you to set the interior temperature.

Jumping to N-Tec level is worth doing if your budget allows. These cars have rear parking sensors, which can measure the size of a parallel parking bay and let you know whether the car will fit, as well as the Nissan Connect 5.8in touchscreen in the dashboard, which controls functions such as the radio and includes sat-nav. Buyers of this model also get tinted privacy glass, 16in alloy wheels and blue stitching on the steering wheel and seats.

Tekna is the range-topping edition of the Micra, but it’s expensive. For the money, you get everything on the lower-spec cars, plus a push-button start, suede-effect trim inside, a leather gearknob and the option of a large panoramic glass roof.

As a brand, Nissan doesn't have a good reputation for reliability. However, this is partly due to the poor performance of the Nissan Qashqai, pushing the company's score down.

The Micra is a simple and straightforward little car that’s been around for a good few years now, using well-tested parts.

The Micra loses a lot of its value in the first few thousand miles on the road, which is excellent news for second-hand buyers, who can pick up a nearly new Nissan Micra for two-thirds of its new price.

The value will keep falling, though, and it may only be worth half of its new price after a year. The big price falls mean that relatively well-equipped Acenta cars are affordable for secondhand buyers, as are N-Tec cars with sat-nav. With this trim level, you should aim for a model built after the Micra was updated in 2013. These cars have a 5.8in dashboard screen with modern software, rather than the smaller and outdated 5in version fitted previously.

Cars built after the 2013 update also have a better-designed and more solid dashboard. You can recognise them by the chrome u-shape on the grille.