2013 Nissan Micra 1.2L DIG-S 5MT (98 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Nissan introduced the fourth generation of the Micra, also known as the K13 or the March for specific markets, in 2010, and three years later, the automaker refreshed it.

With a long history behind it, the Micra was deemed as one of the most affordable Nissans available but also a trustworthy vehicle that could carry four adults inside and transport them with low running costs. The car was often praised for its qualities but not too much for its look. Nissan tried to change that when it launched the facelifted version of the Micra’s fourth generation in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

Creating supermini vehicles was not exactly one of Nissan’s specialties, but Renault, its alliance partner, was. As a result, the refreshed Micra sported a front fascia that expressed the new design language of the Japanese brand. Since the bio-design era was already gone for almost a decade, the 2013 Micra featured a pair of headlights that combined curved lines with sharp angles on their rear side. Between them, on the main grille, the automaker placed the badge flanked by a V-shaped chromed trim, while on the lower part of the apron, it installed an upside-down trapezoidal air intake flanked by a pair of scoops that could house the fog lamps.

From its profile, the bubble-top styling of the car remained similar to the non-facelifted version of the K13. It sported the same ascending waistline that crossed the car from headlights to taillights. Its body-colored door handles and mirror caps were available across the range, but the B-pillar remained black to create a coupe-like image for the car. To make it look sportier, the automaker added a roof spoiler at the top of the tailgate.

Nissan offered the Micra in three grades, and the lowest one didn’t even have air conditioning. However, that was available as an extra. Still, it came standard on the second and the third trim levels. Space inside was adequate for four people, and even three adults could fit in the back thanks to generous legroom and headroom. Unfortunately, the elbow room was not that good. At the front, the driver fronted a neatly-designed instrument cluster where the speedometer took center stage. Inside its dial, the automaker placed an LCD showing several onboard computer data. On the left, Nissan placed the tachometer, while on the right, a second LCD showed other information, including the trip meter. The sound system was standard across the range, but the navigation was an asset just for the top trim level.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a 1.2-liter gasoline engine paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. The powerplant was available in a choice of two power outputs, and strangely, the punchier one was better at the fuel efficiency game than the less potent one.