Nissan Micra 1.2 12v Visia 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The engine of the Micra is designed for efficiency rather than power, and when this is combined with poor handling it doesn't give the driver full confidence in the effectiveness of the car. The ride is reasonably comfortable at slow speed, but it does get a little bouncy at higher speeds, and there is a little too much body roll when cornering. In terms of the driving position in the Micra, the visibility is excellent both to the front and back, but no adjustment for the steering wheel's reach and no seat height adjustment means that some people may struggle to get comfortable.

The 1.2 litre engine isn't designed for sports car performance, and this is certainly visible in the sluggish acceleration, going from 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds. The top speed of 106mph will be more than enough for most people, but those looking for a hot hatch will be decidedly cool when looking at this version of the Micra.

The looks of the Nissan Micra haven't changed that much since the original model was released, and the bubble headlights and small grille are a sure sign of evolution rather than revolution. The curve of the rear end is also much the same as it was on the original, and the brake light mounted on top of the boot door is a good feature that combines an interesting look and practicality. On the inside the look is functional rather than stylish, and the plastic doesn't feel as high quality as it might be.

It is a sure sign of a budget car when it doesn't have alloy wheels included, and the omission of climate control and especially air conditioning could make things uncomfortable in the summer. The Micra does have Bluetooth connectivity, and the CD stereo also has an MP3 and ipod connection.

The whole ethos of the Nissan Micra is one of practicality and reliability, and certainly on the reliability front Nissan has always been the producer of cars that break down very rarely. On the practicality front the surprising amount of space in the rear seats is certainly welcome, and the boot space in the Micra is certainly more than that provided by many other similarly sized cars.

The safety features to be found in the Micra aren't as competent as many other parts of the car, and it only managed to achieve four stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. The lack of a three point centre belt in the rear seat may well have had something to do with this rating, because the Nissan does have the usual range of airbags, including a curtain airbag which helps to protect those in the back.

The list price of this basic version of the Nissan Micra is £9,650, and there is no doubt that the price is very attractive, particularly in this current age of high inflation. However, some people may want to spend a little bit more in order to have a car that at least has some desirable luxuries.

The Micra has always been a car that is cheap to run, and the 1.2 litre petrol engine delivers an impressive average 56.5mpg. The rock bottom insurance group also means that premiums will be quite low, and the road tax liability is quite low too. Depreciation is quite good with the Micra as it is with many small cars, and the inclusion of Nissan's standard three year warranty and breakdown cover package is a reassuring factor for buyers.