What is the new Nissan Micra based on?
The new Nissan Micra shares its AmpR Small electric platform with the Renault 5 E-Tech. That is no coincidence, with Nissan and Renault having worked together through their long-standing alliance to share development and manufacturing costs while retaining their own individual brands.
The Micra is built at Renault Group’s Douai facility in France, alongside the Renault 5 and Alpine A290. The platform was developed specifically for compact electric cars, with the battery mounted beneath the floor and sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.
Sharing a platform does not mean the two cars are identical, though. Nissan’s European design team has given the Micra its own styling, creating a car that feels much more closely connected to the model’s history.
Design: a familiar Micra character returns
The previous-generation Micra adopted a sharper and sportier appearance, but Nissan has taken a more playful approach with the new car.
Large circular lighting signatures at the front and rear reference the rounded shapes associated with earlier Micras, particularly the distinctive third-generation model from the early 2000s.
The modern interpretation is considerably more muscular, however. Every UK Micra gets 18-inch wheels, while the Evolve tested here adds 18-inch Sport alloys and two-tone metallic paint as standard.
The headlights also perform an animated sequence when the car is locked or unlocked, adding another small touch of personality.
Despite its more substantial appearance, the Micra remains genuinely compact. Measuring 3,974mm long, it should be particularly well suited to urban driving and tight parking spaces.
Nissan Micra 52kWh Evolve: performance and key figures
There are two battery sizes available across the Micra range, but the Evolve is exclusively paired with the larger 52kWh battery.
Its electric motor produces 150PS and 245Nm of torque, driving the front wheels. Nissan quotes a 0–62mph time of 8.0 seconds and a 93mph top speed.
That makes the Micra brisk enough for everyday driving without attempting to turn it into an electric hot hatch.
| Nissan Micra 52kWh Evolve | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 150PS / 110kW |
| Torque | 245Nm |
| Battery | 52kWh usable |
| WLTP range | Up to 257 miles |
| 0–62mph | 8.0 seconds |
| Maximum DC charging | 100kW |
| DC charging, 15–80% | Approx. 30 minutes |
| AC charging | Up to 11kW |
| Boot capacity | 326 litres |
What is the Nissan Micra like to drive?
One of the biggest advantages of the AmpR Small platform is that it was engineered around an electric drivetrain from the outset.
The battery sits low in the chassis, while the multi-link rear suspension is more sophisticated than the torsion-beam setup commonly found in this class.
That gives the Micra a good balance between the manoeuvrability expected from a small car and the stability required on faster roads.
On B-roads, it is playful and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Around town, it is easy to place on the road and simple to manoeuvre into tight spaces. Even on the motorway, it does not feel out of its depth.
The steering is sharp and precise, while the suspension provides enough firmness to keep the car feeling connected without becoming uncomfortable over rougher surfaces.
Drivers can also adjust the level of regenerative braking using steering-wheel paddles, which is particularly useful in stop-start urban driving.
Is the Nissan Micra suitable for motorway driving?
The days when a small electric car was automatically limited to short urban journeys are disappearing.
With up to 257 miles of official WLTP range, the larger-battery Micra is considerably more versatile than a traditional city-focused EV. Real-world motorway range will, of course, be lower, particularly in cold weather, but the combination of a 52kWh battery and rapid charging makes longer journeys perfectly realistic.
For someone who commutes during the week but occasionally undertakes longer weekend trips, the 52kWh version is likely to be the most flexible option.
How quickly does the Nissan Micra charge?
The 52kWh Micra supports DC charging at up to 100kW, with Nissan quoting approximately 30 minutes to charge from 15 to 80% under suitable conditions.
AC charging is supported at up to 11kW, with a full 10–100% charge taking approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes on an 11kW supply.
For most private owners with home charging, overnight charging will be the easiest solution, while workplace charging can provide another convenient option.
Nissan Micra Evolve interior and technology
Inside, the electric Micra represents a significant technological step forward.
The Evolve gets two 10.1-inch displays, with one serving as the digital instrument cluster and the other providing the central infotainment system.
Google is integrated directly into the car, including Google Maps and compatible apps. For an electric vehicle, this is particularly useful because navigation can take charging requirements into account when planning longer journeys.
Thankfully, Nissan has not attempted to put absolutely everything into the touchscreen. Physical controls remain for several commonly used functions, making the cabin easier to operate while driving.
How practical is the Nissan Micra?
Despite measuring less than four metres long, the Micra offers a useful 326-litre boot.
Fold the rear seats and that increases to as much as 1,106 litres. The five-door layout also makes access straightforward, although taller adults who regularly use the rear seats may find a larger hatchback or crossover more accommodating.
Where the Micra really excels is manoeuvrability.
Its 10.3-metre turning circle and compact dimensions make it particularly well suited to urban environments, where its small footprint can be a genuine advantage.
Nissan Micra or Renault 5?
The Renault 5 is perhaps the most obvious alternative to the new Micra, given that the two cars share their underlying platform and several technical components.
The differences are primarily in styling, specification, positioning and brand character.
Renault has leaned heavily into the heritage of the original Renault 5, while Nissan has taken a subtler approach, borrowing rounded lighting and playful design cues from previous Micras without directly recreating one particular generation.
The result is that the two cars may share their mechanical foundations but have noticeably different personalities.
For customers choosing between them, styling preference will obviously play a role, but leasing costs and standard equipment could ultimately be just as important.
Is the Nissan Micra a good company car?
The Micra could also make an interesting choice for business drivers.
As a fully electric vehicle, it currently sits within the UK’s low Benefit-in-Kind tax bands. Nissan lists the Micra at 4% BIK for the 2026/27 tax year, making it considerably more tax-efficient than an equivalent petrol-powered company car.
For drivers who do not need SUV levels of space, that could make the Micra an appealing addition to company car choice lists.
Its relatively modest price also helps keep the taxable value below that of many larger electric SUVs.
Nissan Micra 52kWh Evolve verdict
The new Micra represents one of the biggest changes Nissan has made to the nameplate in its long history.
Going fully electric was always going to change its character, but many of the qualities that made previous Micras successful remain. It is compact, easy to place on the road and straightforward to live with.
What has changed is its capability.
A potential 257-mile range, 100kW rapid charging, Google-based infotainment and generous standard equipment mean this is no longer simply a car designed for short urban journeys.
The Renault 5’s platform gives the Micra strong foundations, but Nissan has done enough with the design, driving experience and specification to give its version a recognisable identity of its own.
For customers considering a compact EV such as the Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3, Peugeot E-208 or MINI Cooper Electric, the new Nissan Micra deserves to be on the shortlist.
It might be electric, but the new Micra has not forgotten what made the nameplate successful in the first place: compact dimensions, easy driving and a character that makes everyday motoring feel a little more enjoyable.
Nissan Micra Lease Deals
