The current fifth generation Nissan Micra is offered in two petrol and one diesel engines. In March of this year, I had the opportunity to test a more powerful turbocharged petrol variant called the IG-T 90 . This time I got my hands on its dCi 90 diesel variant. And it's not by chance, I was simply interested in the comparison of these two engines with similar performance.
The fifth generation suits her
The fifth generation Micra was simply successful, its design has undergone significant positive changes compared to the fourth generation. No longer the ubiquitous round shapes, the fifth generation now offers you a sharply cut coat, in addition to an original and good-looking interior.
The external appearance of the tested car cannot be praised. The dynamic, yet robust construction really suits this city stroller. The front part has large and elongated lights with a dynamic signature of daytime running lights. A pair of moldings then extend from the front mask, which run across the sides of the car and are extended to the rear taillights. The C-pillar is optically suppressed and materially merges with the rear and side windows, the rear door handle is also placed in these areas. A fairly well-known, but very interestingly conceived detail. It is this part, the part around the rear fenders, that I find the most interesting about the exterior concept of the car, it adds strength and stability to this place above the rear axle.
I also have to praise the wheels, the 17-inch wheels with low-profile shoes really fit the Micra. As well as the orange color, which was only combined with black accessories on the tested car. It was therefore a very decent, yet unmistakable color combination. Another advantage of this car is the possibility of its great individualization, which does not extend to the selected level of equipment, at the same time to the price of the car itself. The fifth-generation Nissan Micra simply entertains its surroundings, its stylish and robust appearance does not lack a certain dynamism, and I simply like it.
Playful and spacious interior with new infotainment
The interior of the fifth generation Micra has quality materials with good workmanship. The interior also responds to its playful exterior appearance and colors, the combination of black and orange colors is represented here in many parts.
The dashboard of the car has a simple and clear impression, in the tested version, interspersed with a "leather" orange belt with effective stitching. Its central part is dominated by the new on-board infotainment display, which is decently fitted into the aforementioned orange part of the dashboard. It is a seven-inch touchscreen that fully communicates with your smartphone via Bluetooth. In the new NissanConnect system, you can also use well-known applications such as AppleCarPlay or Android Auto. You can of course also control the audio system or navigation via this display. The audio system in the tested car had Bosé speakers, where for a more intense music experience, two speakers are located directly in the headrest of the driver's seat. The navigation then uses the services of the TOMTOM system, you can plan your journey in advance via mobile/web or on-board navigation thanks to premium traffic data that will offer you the options of an exact route based on the actual traffic situation.
Once again, I have to praise the multifunction steering wheel, it contributes a lot to the good feeling of driving. Its collar is quite subtle, and flattened at the bottom. The steering wheel is multifunctional with control of the audio system, cruise control, telephone or on-board computer.
Unfortunately, the interior space of the Micra can only be praised in the front seats, the driver's position also deserves praise, the passengers in the back seats are a little worse off, the luggage compartment is not great either, it is relatively deep at the expense of the design due to the higher loading edge.
Motorization choice
As I already wrote in the introduction, in March of this year I tested a Micra with a gasoline turbocharged three-cylinder with a volume of less than one liter, which has the same output as the currently tested diesel engine, namely 66 kW (90 hp). However, compared to the diesel engine, the gasoline engine does not have such a torque, and I attributed its somewhat dead position at low revs to this absence.
Low revs are not very good for the petrol engine, not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of noise. Its other negatives include its consumption, which is higher than that of diesel. But when you rev up the engine, the small and light Micro can go quite fast and it's much more fun to drive than a diesel.
The diesel engine has a four-cylinder turbodiesel 1.5 dCi, which is known from Renault and Dacia. Its torque is at a value of 220 Nm, the previously tested petrol shows a value of 150 Nm. The expression of the diesel four-cylinder is significantly more refined than the petrol three-cylinder, and its higher torque also gives it traction from low revs. On the contrary, at higher revs, it can no longer be as fun as a petrol three-cylinder. In addition, the diesel motorization has a transmission with relatively long gears, which you will appreciate mainly within the highway limit, when the engine rotates at less than two thousand revolutions.
The choice of motorization is therefore not easy, even if the diesel is currently gaining more plus points. So how are we doing with the price? According to the list price, the cheapest petrol three-cylinder comes with the VISIA + equipment at 306,300 CZK including VAT, with the same equipment (VISIA +) you can buy the diesel engine for 347,300 CZK including VAT. The cheapest diesel in the basic VISIA equipment will then cost CZK 307,000 including VAT.
From the above, it is clear how important it is to know what you will actually want from the Micra and in what level of equipment the vehicle will suit you. I would subsequently choose the engine after completing test drives with both engines. Gasoline is a bit more fun and suits the overall playfulness of the car for me, but it disappoints with its performance at low revs and consumption, diesel, on the other hand, lacks that playfulness, but it is still far more versatile and I would probably opt for it at the moment.
Whichever engine you choose, it is clear that this fifth generation Micra has clearly succeeded and deserves your attention.
