Summarize

Nissan is attacking the entry market with new vigour. We were impressed by the Micra Active – not quite a new car, but the old one reincarnated as a bargain basement fighter to take on Indian imports and other re-hashed last generation cars as are so popular in this market.

Active was added to protect Nissan at the bottom end of the market because the all-new Micra was on its way and now here it is. 

Bold, isn’t it? And quite impressive too.

Carrying all Nissan’s latest cues, Micra is a pretty interesting design, squeezing obtuse angles out of surprising places to cause you to stand back and think about it. You must look at it in the flesh to appreciate what I mean – is it ugly or is Micra sexy – you tell me – that’s your call!

It’s quite daring inside too, once again balancing wild facets off with some more mundane aspects, but it’s a pleasant place to be, comfy and spacious too. Micra also brings an impressive spec at this top level – it’s big, bright touchscreen and interactivity do well for this neck of the woods.

Micra’s state of the art 898cc turbo triple engine is its strongest point. You’d never believe this was anything less than double its capacity – or that it’s a three-pot, but it is. Turning a most impressive 66kW and 140Nm out of that, it delivers handsomely with a 10-second 0-100 dash and brisk overtaking to finally thrust the Japanese squarely into a world ruled by similar, European mighty mini engines.

It’s economical too – easily beating its already meagre claims with a little care, but it is dear, as all its entry rivals also are, so the real trick here is whether the badge will stand up to some revered rivals. It should.

QUICK TEST: Nissan Micra 66kW turbo Acenta Plus

Engine:    66kW 140Nm 898cc turbo petrol I3

Drive: 5-speed manual FWD

TESTED: 

0-100km/h: 10.49 sec   

0-160km/h: 30.19 sec

400m: 17.3 sec @ 128km/h

80-120km/h: 7.73 sec

120-160km/h: 15.29 sec       

CLAIMED:       

VMax: 170km/h 

Fuel: 5.1 l/100km

CO2: 115 g/km

Warranty/Service 6y 150K/3y 90Kkm

LIST PRICE: R272K

RATED:    79%