Exterior
Sitting on another brand’s platform can pose challenges for visual differentiation. But Nissan’s London-based European design team has done a pretty good job of creating some clean air between its new Micra Mk6 and the Renault 5 E-Tech. The Japanese model does share electric-only underpinnings with its French brand sibling, down to almost identical dimensions – its designers say the new Micra is just a bit longer than the R5 – but first impressions, up close and personal, are of a pleasingly distinct vehicle. The new Micra’s split-ring front headlights are very different to the small Renault’s ‘lidded eyes’, but do appear to owe a clear debt to the Fiat 500e. Equally friendly and distinctive in shape are the Micra’s round ring rear light dials, with red tab off-shoots at ‘ten o’clock’ (left) and ‘two o’clock’ (right). Where the previous Mk5 was sportier looking, due in part to its complex angular side creases and sloping rear roofline, the Mk6 is more chunky, horizontal and crossover lite. Its 18in wheels are big for a supermini B-segment car and accentuated by repeated ring creases above the already large-looking wheelarches. Tall black cladding between those arches stretches upwards from the sill into the body-coloured side door sections to reduce their collective mass and rear door handles hidden in the corner of the rear window reduce visual clutter.
Interior
The physical composition of the 5 E-Tech’s architecture has been harder to escape or mask within the Micra’s cabin, with the driver-angled tilt to the centre screen and even the puffy grid of square shapes in the R5’s ceiling carried over. Most of the major Micra changes are in the software and surfaces, from bespoke driver display and centre touchscreen graphics and a neat Mount Fuji-referencing design on the rubber slip mat covering the centre console storage floor. Rear passenger headroom is fine, but room for six-footers’ knees and shoulders is limited. Regular boot space is 326 litres, with 1106 litres max if rear seats are folded forward, but they don’t fold fully flat.
Powertrains
This now EV-only model is offered with two lithium-ion batteries and ranges identical to the Renault 5 E-Tech, namely 40kWh for 192 miles and 52kWh for 253 miles – with motors respectively outputting 120hp and 150hp. A heat pump is standard on both versions and Vehicle 2 Load (V2L) is possible, allowing the battery to plug in external devices including audio speakers, air pumps and more. Charging is a decently quick 30 minutes to get from 15-80% with the 100kW DC charger on the bigger 52kWh version, or 25 minutes from the 80kW DC charger on the smaller 40kWh variant. Nissan’s e-Pedal system for one-pedal driving will feature, steering wheel paddles can adjust levels of regenerative braking and four driving modes – altered via the centre touchscreen – offer Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso (for personal).
Technology
The entry-level Engage equipment grade features a 7in driver display with a 10.1in central screen, while Advance and Evolve feature twin 10in driver and central screens. Google features heavily in the software options, with three types: Google Maps (for navigation); Google Assistant (adding a virtual personal assistant, if you like that sort of thing) and Google Play allowing access to 17 apps. Standard compatibility to Android Auto and Apple Carplay lets owners mirror-link smart phones easily, according to their operating system brand allegiance.
Equipment
Three grades – Engage, Advance and Evolve – make up the Micra Mk6 range, and 18in alloy wheels and a 10in colour centre touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple Carplay wireless compatibility will be standard. Less is known about the extra higher-spec elements so early before launch. One thing the Micra won’t offer that the R5 E-Tech does is loads of personalisation, so don’t expect the Japanese equivalent of clip-on wicker baskets for French baguettes. The Micra product offering is keeping things simpler by focusing on six key exterior colours, three smart wheel trim options and a trio of smart interior colour and trim themes, variously light, dark and bright.
Safety
Like the 5 E-Tech, the Micra offers a lot of safety kit not usually present within the B-segment within its Nissan ProPilot assist system, including emergency braking, lane keep and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, intelligent speed assist, driver monitoring, blind spot warning, plus rear cross traffic and occupant safe exit alerts will also be optional, although not necessarily standard on lower grades.
Costs
Orderable from September 2025 with production starting in October, the first UK deliveries are expected in January 2026. Pricing is very much ‘to be confirmed’ at the time of writing, but our hunch is that the Micra may start just below the Renault 5’s current £22,995 entry model, with some overlap after that depending on spec level.
