Not everyone love’s its cutesy Noddy Car looks, but the Nissan Micra very nearly won the Wheels Car of the Year award a couple of years ago. Its sharp price, good quality, competent handling and choice of two super frugal yet willing engines – a 1.2 three-cylinder and a 1.5 four-cylinder – helped put it in contention.
Prices start at $12,990 for the 1.2 manual but we’ve tested the ST-L which comes in at $16,990 as a 1.5 auto.
It’s the cheapest car in this test but it doesn’t miss out on much. Bluetooth, six airbags, stability control and a full size spare are all part of the package.
The interior is plain but functional and most features are there. One exception: as with the $5000 dearer Mazda2, the Micra misses out on a USB input, but it does have a 3.5mm audio socket.
The only car in this test to do so, the Micra also lacks an adjustable headrest in the centre back seat – or any headrest at all in the centre position for that matter.
It only gets four stars for safety, and not five. But so does the Volkswagen-engineered Skoda Fabia…
Apart from that, the Nissan Micra is a gem. It has a high driving position (almost like a compact SUV) which is good for visibility, the tightest turning circle of any car here and secure, predictable road holding.
The engine is slightly underdone compared with the best in the class, but in isolation it feels like more than enough oomph.
The body is a little narrower than the others, so you’re a little closer for comfort in the back seat (better off as a four-seater than a five-seater) but our back seat testers said they were happy enough to take a road trip in it.
Overall, the Micra 1.5 was yet another (good) surprise package. Indeed, by the end of the process many of us would have been keen to see how the Micra 1.2 version compared.
motoring.com.au's Light Car road-test comparison:
>> Ford Fiesta
>> Holden Barina
>> Honda Jazz
>> Hyundai Accent
>> Kia Rio
>> Mazda Mazda2
>> Skoda Fabia
>> Suzuki Swift
>> Volkswagen Polo
>> Toyota Yaris
The award goes to:
>> Light Car mega-test: The Verdict
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