Nissan brings the Micra into the all-electric age

The sixth generation of Nissan’s Micra has gone on sale in the brand’s dealerships nationwide, offered only as a fully electric vehicle with two battery sizes, up to 408km range, and with convenient quick charging.

The Micra first arrived here over 40 years ago, and the model soon forged its reputation as one of the most practical and affordable cars on the market. Over 1.6 million Micras have been sold globally.

Nissan says the new model "makes it easier than ever before for drivers to fit EV driving into their everyday lives". In Ireland, the target audience is motorists aged 55+ who are now considering buying an electric vehicle, perhaps for the first time, but it will appeal to drivers of all ages. The nameplate is certainly familiar to Irish motorists, young and older, as a trusted choice for reliability and is the car many people learnt to drive in, a first car for some, or perhaps a last car for those downsizing.

The new model has been given a refreshed and distinctive new exterior look with an SUV-inspired design, solid stance, simple and uncluttered surfaces, pronounced wheel arches, and higher ground clearance. All models get 18-inch wheels, a floating-style roof, and gloss black detailing.

Micra EV is available only in a five-door configuration. The car is bigger than before, measuring under four metres in length and less than 1.8 metres in width, and with a wheelbase of 2.54 metres.

The interior is well thought out and well built with a good finish to all materials and surprisingly spacious for a compact car designed to seat up to five people.

On our test drives at the car’s recent press launch from Dublin to a destination in Virginia, Co Cavan, and back to Dublin, we found entry and exit to be tricky enough for anyone over 6ft in height due to the car’s low doorway opening but otherwise felt very comfy up front in our snug and comfy seats (with manual seat adjustments) and with lots of head and legroom. Front seats and the steering wheel could be heated in our top-grade model.

The car is packed with intuitive technology. Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store are built in, along with voice control and the most up-to-date navigation. A NAVI Link feature allows the car to ‘look down the road’ ahead and anticipate conditions.

Screens are a 10.1-inch configurable driver’s display and a separate touchscreen display angled slightly towards the driver. Both come within a single enclosure, and the car’s on-off switch is located between them. All virtual and physical buttons are clearly labelled, while the driver’s information screen is uncluttered with your speed shown in large white numbers.

The three-spoke hexagonal steering wheel feels very good in your hands; the drive mode button is located off the steering column, allowing you to choose from Eco, Sport, Comfort, or Perso modes.

The rear could be a bit tight for tall people, so the seats here are perhaps best suited for smaller adults or children. Rear seats can fold 60:40, there’s a flat floor, and two ISOFIX child seat anchors. Luggage space of 326 litres can be expanded to 1,106 litres, and there’s a storage area below the floor for cables.

Three grades are offered. The entry-level Engage has privacy glass, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Auto LED headlamps with High Beam Assist; Advance adds Google Automotive Services, a 10-inch colour TFT screen, multicoloured ambient lighting, and braking modes; Sport has special interior trim, Harmon/Kardon audio system, ProPILOT, 18-inch alloy wheels, and those heated seats and steering wheel.

Fourteen exterior colour combinations are offered.

Customers can choose from two battery options: a 40kWh with a 310km range for the entry-level grade, ideal for city use; Advance offers the 40kWh and a 52kWh variant with a 408 km range; while Evolve is only available with the more powerful battery, which offers drivers the chance to escape to the countryside without experiencing range anxiety.

You can DC fast charge from 15-80 per cent in 30 minutes. A heat pump is standard on both battery options, as is V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology to power external devices.

There are many standard safety features on board, and a full suite of driver assistance features is also available, including adaptive cruise control and parking support.

The car proved plenty agile over Dublin suburbs before joining the N3 motorway, and thereafter travelling along many tight, twisty roads en route to our destination. I’m always appreciative of having Blind Spot Warning in a press car, along with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Occupant Safe Exit alert. Driving at a steady 100km/h on the N3 motorway on our way back to Dublin, we actually gained charge.

The new Micra is part of Nissan’s plan to introduce four new fully electric models by 2027 as part of its push towards electrification. Micra EV achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

PRICES: are from €25,995 for Engage, €27,995 Advance, and from €32,995 for Evolve grade. All prices include the SEAI grant of €3,500 and exclude delivery-related charges.