Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S Visia 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Visia has a DIG-S supercharged, 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, which produces a maximum of 97bhp. It is more powerful than the basic 1.2 engine in the range and doesn’t need to be worked as hard to give a decent pull. The 5-speed manual gearbox, while effective, is light and needs to be worked hard for quick response.

Handling is good in standard dry road conditions, but disappointing in wet weather. Steering is light and accurate, and is particularly useful in city driving. But it lacks the responsiveness needed to enjoy a ride. A small turning circle makes it suitable for urban roads and making turns or parking in small spaces. There is a lot of body lean in bends. Suspension is firm enough and absorbs most road imperfections, except the larger potholes.

The engine is quiet but produces an incessant rumble at speed. The level of wind and road noise in the cabin is bearable. Visibility is good on all sides, thanks to small pillars and moderate-sized mirrors.

The latest Nissan Micra is not as appealing as previous Micra generations, but it is still good-looking from all sides. It is a 5-door, 5-seat small family car, and measures 3780mm x 1675mm. Smooth lines define the familiar hatchback style it is made in and a curved nose gives it soft appeal.

The interior looks cheap and rather dowdy. The materials used are poor in quality, especially the hard, cold plastics on the dash.

The Micra Vista has none of the big-car features every motorist desires, but it is better equipped than most small cars. Standard equipment includes electric power steering, central locking, air con, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobiliser, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and CD player.

Cost options include metallic paint worth £420 and rear parking sensors worth £365.

The Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S Visia is yet to undergo the Euro NCAP crash test. But it has a satisfactory number of safety features. In addition to 6 standard airbags, it has anti-lock brakes, remote central locking and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and engine immobiliser, all designed to boost security and safety.

The brand has a long-standing reputation for reliability. This should build confidence in the car. Not just that, but so far, the Micra has proven to be quite popular, which indicates the car’s good quality.

The cabin is one of the largest in the class. It can comfortably seat five adults, with tons of head, knee and legroom to ensure a comfortable ride. The seats are supportive too and are just what you need for a long drive.

There is no shortage of storage space in the cabin. Two glove boxes, bottle and cup holders, and a shelf are all available. Boot space is limited at 265 litres, although this is pretty much what you get across the class. Fold the rear seats to create a flat load space and increase the capacity to 605 litres.

You should be able to get a good driving position by adjusting the steering wheel height. There are no adjustments for the reach so the distance between the seat and steering wheel may not be comfortable for everyone.

The Nissan Micra 1.2 DIG-S Visia is competitively priced, considering its low fuel economy and very impressive green credentials. It returns a massive 68.9mpg, which is one of the best economy levels in the class. Only the Seat Ibiza returns slightly higher. Emissions average 95g/km only, earning the car tax exempt status.

Insurance costs should be low, as the car is in insurance group 8. Nissan offers a 3-year warranty on this car, up to 60,000 miles. The 12,500 miles service interval is reasonable, given the affordability of Nissan service. Resale values are average, mainly due to fierce competition from (and demand for) the likes of Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up!