New Models Nissan Micra—Independent in Exterior And Chassis

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With the Nissan Micra, an almost iconic compact car name returns to the automotive stage. Completely restyled, with a fully electric drive and the technology of its sibling Renault 5.

Nissan has always said so when it came to their iconic city car Micra. Since the early 1980s, the Japan mini has stood for affordable reliability and a certain amount of character, charm, and lightheartedness. But over time, Nissan not only lost its courage but also its instinct for form and imagination. The Micra increasingly became a grey mouse in the small car segment.

Now the makers from Yokohama have rediscovered their early form. In its sixth generation and after over six million Micras sold, the small classic arrives completely redesigned, with a fully electric drive and starting prices just under $30,000. The new Micra will mark the beginning of a new electric offensive from Nissan in early 2026. It will be followed by the new Leaf, the fully electric Juke, and a completely new electric car in the A segment.

Specifically Designed for Europe

The electric Micra is anything but a mundane, additional continuation model. Nissan has decided to turn the familiar name back into a statement. Initially designed exclusively for the European market, the five-door vehicle, measuring 13 feet, has grown significantly into the compact class. Designed at the Nissan Design Europe studio in London, the Micra appears more modern, charismatic, and self-assured—seasoned with a delightful touch of nostalgia. Or shall we call it retro charm?

This characteristic is shared with its bandmate, the Renault 5 E-Tech, which also builds on the group’s “AmpR Small” platform and is produced alongside the Micra at the “ElectriCity” plant in Douai, France. A typical win-win partnership. Renault can share production costs, and Nissan—currently not exactly swimming in money—gets access to a recognized high-quality electric platform at a low cost.

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New Lighting Design And 14 Color Combinations

The close relationship with the French counterpart can already be seen in the silhouette, with slightly flared fenders and the side window line. The roof section was completely adopted from the R5. However, the front and rear of the Micra have been completely redesigned, giving the Japanese car a unique character. The seemingly smiling Micra front, featuring cute, round LED eyes that flash invitingly as a welcoming gesture, plays into the childlike cliché of a cute city car—much like the eternal Mini. Fitting for a car from the Land of Smiles.

At the rear, the light strips form a circle, connected by a horizontal bar with the company name in large letters. For those who like it, the compact five-door can be ordered for an additional $960 in a two-tone design with a black or gray roof. In total, there are 14 different color combinations.

Two Drive Variants With Pragmatic Charging Performance

In the future life of the Micra, the R5 plays the decisive role, as both are technically identical twins. Not such bad news for the Micra, after all, the R5 is currently the "Car of the Year 2025." Besides the visual differentiation, the differences lie in the finer details: the Nissan initially offers only two instead of three power levels, and since the Micra offers slightly less wind resistance, its range is slightly better. Specifically, this means that the Micra appears in the price lists with two differently sized lithium-ion batteries.

The entry-level version "Engage" for $30,000 comes with a 40-kWh battery, delivers 90 kW of power, and promises an electric range of nearly 200 miles. The larger 52-kWh battery starts in the "Advance" trim at $32,000, always offers 110 kW of power, and hums up to 260 miles according to Nissan. At an 11 kW AC charging station, it takes around 4.5 hours to recharge from 10 to 100 percent, while the smaller battery finishes an hour faster.

DC fast charging is handled with 80 kW or 100 kW for the larger battery, and in both cases, the energy supply is about 80 percent full after approximately 30 minutes. Particularly practical and always included is the "Vehicle-to-Load" technology, meaning the possibility of bidirectional charging to power speakers, electric grills, or to recharge bicycle batteries.

A Lot of Renault Design in the Interior

The wheelbase of 8 feet provides plenty of room in the front, but taller passengers in the back quickly run out of space for their knees and feet. The trunk, which initially requires navigating a high loading edge, offers a capacity of 320 liters, or 1,100 liters with the rear seatbacks folded down. Visually, everything here is also R5—from the two digital displays and the layout of the cockpit including the center console, to the flattened steering wheel with its overly complex four stalk controls. Even the graphics are adopted by Nissan.

A bit more desire for independence would have suited the Micra well. But that comes at a cost. Thus, the differences are limited to colors and patterns as well as the type of stitching.

Remarkably Agile Driving Experience

Depending on the trim, the central screen is either seven or 10.1 inches in size, and the infotainment system integrates Google services like Maps, Assistant, and Play. Within the menu, 70 apps are available for download. These services are free for five years. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available wirelessly. Naturally, numerous digital assistants are included as standard or optionally available. Through a smartphone app, the Micra can be pre-conditioned, and charging processes can be planned. Standard features include automatic climate control, a heat pump, and the keyless Smart-Key system.

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You can truly appreciate the quality of the donor vehicle's genes once you start driving. First, there are the noticeably quiet wind and rolling noises, a result of elaborate soundproofing, especially in the wheel arches. The suspension—pleasantly balanced between comfort and sportiness—will appeal to most drivers. A highlight in this class is the multi-link rear axle, which keeps the Micra stable during quick directional changes and confidently absorbs uneven roads without bouncing. The Micra's consistently predictable and reliable handling is remarkable. Three driving modes are available: Comfort, Sport, and Eco. Performance-wise, the top version we drove belongs to the weaker electric cars on the market. However, as the Micra keeps its weight in check (around 1.65 US tons), the 110 kW accelerates with ease. It’s more than enough to bring a smile to your face that rivals the one on the Micra itself.

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