Nissan's fifth-generation Micra is here!
Once the ugly duckling of the Nissan line-up, the now attractive supermini has certainly grown up. While the current Micra is positioned as an entry-level car, the new model moves slightly up the food chain, and allows Datsun to fill its void. That said, the current Nissan Micra Active is expected to continue even whilst this new model is introduced.
The stylish new Micra will now compete with the Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio to name a few.
Thanks to its alliance with Renault, the Micra will ride on the same platform as the fourth-generation Renault Clio and Captur, and even sharing the Clio’s 66kw 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol engine, which will be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Nissan claim it will do 0-100kph in just over 12 seconds, reach a top speed of a whisker under 180kph, and sip unleaded at a rate of 5.1L/100kms.
Much like how Renault has three derivatives of the Clio – Authentique, Expression and Dynamique – Nissan will offer three of the Micra – namely Visia, Acenta and Acenta Plus - priced at R233 500, R257 400 and R272 400 respectively. Interestingly, it offers a slight premium offering over its Gallic sibling, which is priced from R211 900.
The entry-level Visia spec comes with cloth seats, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, hill start assist, stop/start technology, LED DRLs, and automatic headlights.
Next up is the Acenta which adds a 7-inch high-tech infotainment system, a 5-inch colour advanced driver display, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights with LED DRLs, hill start assist, and stop/start technology.
The range-topping Acenta Plus gains what is called an ‘Energy Orange’ interior pack, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, 17-inch alloys, and all the other spec and tech from the Acenta.
It’s also packed with comprehensive safety features in the form of 6 airbags (driver, passenger, side, and curtain), ABS and EBD, Isofix anchorage points, and Vehicle Dynamic Control.
The fifth-generation compact car will furthermore be sold with a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/90 000 km service plan, with services every 15 000kms.
