The Nissan MICRA is back – and this time, it’s fully electric.
For a lot of drivers, MICRA is one of those Nissan names that needs very little introduction. It’s been around for more than 40 years, and has always stood for something simple: a small car with big personality, easy driving and sensible running costs.
The new MICRA keeps that idea, but moves it into the EV era. It’s a five-door, five-seat electric city car, with compact dimensions, useful range, fast charging, modern technology and a starting price from £21,495 including the Electric Car Grant.
It also has a very different look from the last MICRA. The new car is rounder, bolder and more distinctive, with circular LED lights, 18-inch wheels and plenty of colour options. It feels like a proper return for the name: bringing it bang up to date.
What is the new Nissan MICRA?
The new MICRA is Nissan’s compact electric car.
It sits below the LEAF and ARIYA in Nissan’s electric range, giving buyers a smaller and more affordable way into EV ownership. Think of it as the city-friendly Nissan EV: easier to park than a larger SUV, but still with five doors, five seats and enough boot space for everyday use.
This is the sixth generation of MICRA, but it’s the first one to be sold as a fully electric car. That makes it a big moment for one of Nissan’s best-known nameplates.
MICRA gives you electric driving in a car that’s small enough for towns and tight car parks, but still grown-up enough for commuting, shopping, school runs and weekends away.
Is the new Nissan MICRA fully electric?
Yes. The new MICRA is 100% electric.
There’s no petrol engine, no manual gearbox and no tailpipe emissions while driving. Every version uses an electric motor driving the front wheels, with automatic transmission as standard.
That makes the MICRA very easy to drive. Pulling away is smooth, response is instant, and there’s no clutch or gear-changing to think about. Around town, that makes a real difference, especially in traffic.
If you’re moving from a petrol supermini, the biggest change will be how quiet and simple the MICRA feels. You plug it in when it needs charging, then drive it like any other automatic Nissan.
What battery options does the electric MICRA have?
There are two battery options: 40kWh and 52kWh.
The 40kWh MICRA is the standard range version. Nissan lists it with up to 196 miles of WLTP range, which makes it a strong choice for local driving, commuting and regular shorter journeys.
The 52kWh MICRA is the longer-range version. It gives up to 257 miles of WLTP range, which makes the car more suited to drivers who want extra distance between charges.
That choice is useful because not every buyer needs the largest battery. If most of your driving is local, the 40kWh model could be all the MICRA you need. If you regularly do longer trips, or just want the reassurance of more range, the 52kWh version is the one to look at first.
How far can the new MICRA go on a charge?
The official range is up to 196 miles for the 40kWh version and up to 257 miles for the 52kWh version.
For a compact electric car, those are impressive figures. The 40kWh model should cover most daily driving very comfortably, while the 52kWh version gives MICRA proper longer-distance ability.
As with any EV, the real-world range will depend on the weather, driving style, speed, route and how much weight the car is carrying. Even so, the important point is that MICRA isn’t limited to short hops. In 52kWh form, it has the range to work as the main car for plenty of drivers.
How fast does the new MICRA charge?
Every new MICRA has 11kW AC charging, which is useful for home and workplace charging.
On a rapid charger, the 40kWh model can charge at up to 80kW, while the 52kWh model can charge at up to 100kW. Nissan says both versions can charge from 15% to 80% in as little as 30 minutes.
The 52kWh version, that means the car can gain up to 109 miles of range in around 15 minutes on a suitable rapid charger. That’s the kind of top-up that makes longer trips much easier.
For most owners, home charging will probably do the bulk of the work. Plug in overnight, and the car can be ready again the next morning. Public rapid charging then becomes useful for longer journeys or days when you need a quick boost.
How big is the new Nissan MICRA?
The new MICRA is just under four metres long.
It measures 3,974mm long, 1,774mm wide and 1,498mm tall. That puts it firmly in small-car territory, which is exactly where MICRA should be.
Those dimensions help explain why it should feel so easy to use in towns. It’s shorter than a Juke, much smaller than a Qashqai, and more manageable than most electric SUVs. If you have a tight driveway, narrow street parking or regular multi-storey car parks to deal with, MICRA makes a lot of sense.
It also has a 10.3-metre turning circle, which should help with tight manoeuvres and quick three-point turns.
How much boot space does the electric MICRA have?
The new MICRA has up to 326 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place.
That’s a useful amount for a compact EV. It gives you room for shopping, bags, charging cables, school kit or a few weekend bags without needing to fold the rear seats down.
With the rear seats folded, luggage capacity rises to up to 1,106 litres. That makes the MICRA more useful when you need to carry larger boxes, flat-pack furniture, tip-run loads or holiday kit.
There’s also underfloor charging cable storage, which is a small but important detail. It keeps the cable out of the way and stops it taking over the boot.
Is the new MICRA good for town driving?
Yes. Town driving should be one of the new MICRA’s biggest strengths.
The compact size helps, but so does the electric powertrain. MICRA should feel smooth at low speeds, quick away from junctions and calm in stop-start traffic. The raised-feeling driving position and short body also make it easy to place on the road.
Depending on version, MICRA is available with helpful features such as front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, blind spot information and rear cross traffic alert. Those are exactly the sort of features that make a small car easier to use every day.
Advance models and above also get e-Pedal with paddle shifts, so you can adjust the strength of regenerative braking. In traffic, that can make the car feel smoother and more relaxing to drive.
Can the new MICRA handle longer journeys?
Yes, especially in 52kWh form. The 257-mile official range gives the longer-range MICRA a proper advantage if you regularly travel beyond town. It won’t have the space or motorway presence of a LEAF or ARIYA, but it should be perfectly capable of longer trips.
The cabin technology helps here too. With Google built-in on higher grades, MICRA can use Google Maps and route planning to help find charging stops along the way. That’s useful if you’re new to electric driving, because the car can help take some of the guesswork out of longer journeys.
What’s the new MICRA like inside?
Inside, the MICRA feels much more modern than the old car.
Even the entry version gets a 10.1-inch infotainment screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Advance models add an extra 10.1-inch display for the driver, as well as Google built-in (including Google Maps, Google Assistant and Play Store) and a wireless phone charger.
That gives the cabin a much more connected feel. You can use familiar Google services directly through the car, and the built-in route planner can help with charging stops.
There are some nice comfort details too. The MICRA gets automatic air conditioning with a scheduling function, a heat pump, and, on higher versions, 48-colour ambient lighting. Evolve models add a more premium feel, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a Harman Kardon sound system.
What safety equipment does the new MICRA have?
The new MICRA comes with a strong list of safety and driver assistance systems.
Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, emergency lane keeping assist, lane departure warning and prevention, intelligent speed assist, driver monitoring, six airbags and an anti-theft alarm.
That gives the car a reassuring baseline, even before you move up the range. Higher grades add more assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot information, rear cross traffic alert and a rear-view camera.
Evolve models also add ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link, which gives the top version of MICRA a more advanced driver assistance package for longer drives.
Does the new MICRA have Google built-in?
Yes, on Advance models and above.
Google built-in is one of the most useful upgrades in the new MICRA. It brings Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play into the car’s infotainment system.
That means you can use voice control for navigation, entertainment and other functions, while Google Maps can also help with route planning and charging stops. For an electric car, that’s especially useful.
Engage still gets a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so even the entry car doesn’t feel stripped out. But if you want the full connected setup, Advance is the grade to look at.
Can the new MICRA power devices?
Yes. The new MICRA offers Vehicle-to-Load capability, usually shortened to V2L.
Available via an optional adaptor, V2L allows the car’s battery to power external devices – simply by plugging them into the regular charging port. The MICRA can power anything from microwaves, e-bikes, camping gear or laptops – almost anything with a 3-pin plug.
That won’t matter to every owner, but it’s a clever feature. It could be useful for days out, outdoor hobbies, working away from a plug socket or keeping devices charged while parked. It could even come in handy in a power cut, or other emergency situation.
How much does the new electric MICRA cost?
Prices start from £21,495 for the 40kWh MICRA Engage, including the £1,500 Electric Car Grant.
The 40kWh Advance starts from £23,495 including the grant. The 52kWh Advance starts from £23,245, because the longer-range 52kWh versions qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant.
The 52kWh Evolve starts from £26,115 including the full grant. That pricing makes the new MICRA one of the most accessible electric cars in Nissan’s range.
Which MICRA grade should you choose?
The range starts with Engage. This is the entry-level version, but it still gets 18-inch wheels, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic air conditioning, a heat pump, 11kW AC charging and V2L capability.
Advance adds a lot of the features many buyers will want. It brings alloy wheels, heated and electrically adjustable mirrors, dual 10.1-inch displays, Google built-in, Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play, a wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, blind spot information, rear cross traffic alert, a rear-view camera and e-Pedal.
Evolve is the more premium version. It gets the 52kWh battery as standard, two-tone metallic paint, 18-inch Sport alloy wheels, ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link, a Harman Kardon sound system, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
If you want the lowest price, Engage is the obvious starting point. If you want the best mix of price, range and technology, 52kWh Advance is likely to be very popular. If you want the most complete MICRA, Evolve is the one to spend time in.
Is the new MICRA designed in Britain?
Yes. Nissan says the new MICRA was designed at Nissan Design Europe in London, and Nissan UK describes it as styled and designed in the UK.
That gives the car a nice link with Britain, especially given how well-known the MICRA name is here. The previous generations built up a loyal following with UK drivers, and the new car clearly leans into that personality.
Production is handled in Europe at Ampere’s Douai plant in France, as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s European EV production plans.
Can the new MICRA tow?
Yes, but only light loads.
Nissan lists a maximum braked towing weight of 500kg, with the same figure for unbraked towing. That’s enough for certain small trailers or light-duty jobs, but MICRA isn’t aimed at heavy towing.
For bike racks, accessories and light carrying needs, it should be useful. For caravans or heavier trailers, you’d be looking further up the Nissan range.
What warranty does the new MICRA have?
Nissan says the all-new MICRA is available with up to six years’ warranty when serviced at Nissan dealers.
The battery warranty is listed as eight years or 100,000 miles. That’s an important reassurance for anyone moving into EV ownership for the first time.
As with any new car, it’s worth checking the exact warranty details with a Nissan dealer when you choose the car, especially if you’re comparing finance offers, service plans or extended cover.
Who is the new electric MICRA best for?
The new MICRA makes the most sense if you want a compact EV that feels easy, modern and good value.
The 40kWh version is well suited to local driving, commuting and shorter regular journeys. It gives you the lowest entry price and still comes with useful standard equipment.
The 52kWh version is the better fit if you want more range, faster DC charging and extra reassurance for longer trips. In Advance form, it looks like a very strong balance of price, range and technology.
MICRA is also a good choice if you like the idea of an electric car but don’t want something large. It has the character of a small Nissan, but with the quietness and smoothness of an EV.
New electric MICRA: in conclusion
The new MICRA feels like a proper return for one of Nissan’s best-loved names.
It’s small enough to feel right in town, but the 52kWh version has enough range to go well beyond short local journeys. The boot is useful, the technology is modern, and the pricing gives it a strong value story.
It also brings back some of the character that made MICRA so popular in the first place. The design is cheerful without being silly, the cabin feels up to date, and the whole car looks much more distinctive than a typical small EV.
If you want the most affordable route into Nissan electric driving, start with MICRA Engage. If you want the version that looks best balanced for range and equipment, look closely at MICRA Advance 52kWh. If you want the most polished version, MICRA Evolve adds the premium touches.
Either way, MICRA is back – and it’s now a fully electric Nissan.