The iconic Nissan Micra reborn as an all-electric city car

The Nissan Micra, a familiar nameplate for many small car enthusiasts, is charting a new course into the world of electric cars. After quite a hiatus, this compact runaround is set to return in 2025 as a sixth-generation model, this time exclusively as an electric vehicle. Nissan claims this new iteration captures the spirit of its predecessors – a stylish, straightforward, and popular choice, now with a zero-emission powertrain designed for urban adventures.

Nissan's European design studio in London spearheaded the Micra's transformation, giving it a fresh and distinctive appearance. Misleading appearance - this isn't the tiny Micra you might remember. The all-new electric Micra ventures closer to the SUV territory and if you think it looks familiar, that's because it essentially is a dressed-up Renault 5.

It stands on 18-inch wheels with three different wheel designs available, depending on the chosen grade. The headlamps playfully perform a "welcome wink" lighting sequence upon unlocking and a "farewell" display when locking the car. The rear features circular LED taillights - there is no chance of mistaking the new Micra for any other car at night. Buyers will have plenty of personalization options with 14 exterior color combinations, including two-tone choices that pair the body color with a black or grey roof.

The interior carries on the legacy of simple, understated looks found in previous generations. A subtle nod to Nissan's Japanese heritage can be found in a molded outline of Mount Fuji integrated into the storage space between the front seats – a thoughtful detail. The driver gets a three-spoke steering wheel and a 10.1-inch configurable digital display for vital vehicle information. Taking center stage on the dashboard is an additional 10.1-inch touchscreen, spanning much of the dash width, for seamless control of navigation, audio, and phone functions.

Depending on the grade, customers can choose from three distinct interior upholstery trims – Modern, Audacious, and Chill – to create their preferred ambiance. Despite its compact dimensions, measuring under 157 inches in length and less than 70.9 inches in width, with a wheelbase of 100 inches, the five-door Micra offers a surprisingly spacious feel. It also addresses a common compact car shortcoming with a generous trunk capacity of 11.5 ft³.

At the heart of the Micra's electric soul are two battery options. A 40 kWh battery provides a range of approximately 191 miles, coupled with a 90 kW electric motor (around 121 horsepower) producing 166 lb-ft of torque. For those of you seeking more range, a 52 kWh battery option extends the distance to an impressive 254 miles and is paired with a more potent 110kW motor (roughly 148 horsepower) delivering 181 lb-ft of torque.

The 40 kWh battery version supports DC fast charging up to 80 kW, while the 52 kWh version can accept up to 100 kW. This allows for a quick charge from 15% to 80% in about 30 minutes. To optimize charging efficiency and battery longevity, both battery options come standard with a heat pump, as well as battery heating and cooling systems – features that are not always a given in the small EV segment. Adding to its practical appeal, the Micra will be equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology on both battery versions.

Nissan promises the new Micra will deliver a driving experience that surpasses its predecessors. Built on the same AmpR EV platform as its twin Renault 5, the battery pack is positioned low within the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The front suspension uses independent struts, while the rear features a multi-link geometry – a setup typically found in larger, more expensive vehicles.

The electric Micra gets NissanConnect with Google built-in services from the get-go, offering a connected experience. The NissanConnect services app provides remote access to features like battery status, car location, charging history, and climate control pre-conditioning. Nissan ProPilot Assist will be available as well, with its semi-autonomous driving support on highways, alongside a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance technologies.

Sales of the all-new Nissan Micra EV are scheduled to start in Europe later this year, with pricing and market-specific details expected closer to the launch. This isn't the Micra many of us remember - it's much larger, much more comfortable, quicker, and definitely pricier. The Micra has grown up.

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