Nissan March

Nissan March: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Nissan March version to buy depends on whether you value low weight, automatic convenience, AWD, or maximum power. The clearest all-round choice in the data is the restyled fourth-generation 1.2 CVT with FWD: it combines 79 hp, 106 Nm, a 1,198 cc Gasoline engine, 950 kg kerb weight, 140 mm ground clearance, and a 41-liter tank.

The Nissan March version to buy depends on whether you value low weight, automatic convenience, AWD, or maximum power. The clearest all-round choice in the data is the restyled fourth-generation 1.2 CVT with FWD: it combines 79 hp, 106 Nm, a 1,198 cc Gasoline engine, 950 kg kerb weight, 140 mm ground clearance, and a 41-liter tank. Choose its AWD counterpart if additional driven wheels matter more than weight; it is 90 kg heavier at 1,040 kg. For stronger performance, the restyled 1.6 MT provides 150 hp and 160 Nm, while the first-generation 0.9 MT is the distinctive high-output alternative with a Compressor, 110 hp, and only 740 kg kerb weight. Buyers prioritizing measured economy should consider the fifth-generation 1.6 MT, rated at 5.5 liters per 100 km combined.

Nissan March generations: what changed?

The first generation, produced from October 1982 through December 1991, is a Mini 5-doors model with 12 versions. Its range includes 987–998 cc 1.0-liter engines, 1,200 cc engines, and two 930 cc 0.9 versions with a Compressor. Manual models use a 5-speed gearbox, while Automatic models use a 3-speed gearbox. All listed versions are FWD. Kerb weights, where measured, run from 700 to 780 kg, and ground clearance varies from 120 to 165 mm.

The second generation, produced from January 1992 through February 2002, changes to an Estate 5-door body and contains 34 versions, although 12 are detailed in the supplied specifications. The shown range covers 997–998 cc 1.0 versions and 1,348 cc 1.4 versions. It offers Manual, Automatic, and Variable gearboxes, while the displayed versions are FWD. One major chassis difference within this generation is the rear suspension: some versions use Independent, spring suspension and others use Dependent, spring suspension.

The third generation, produced from March 2002 through June 2010, returns to a Mini 5-doors body. It contains 26 versions, with 12 detailed here. The shown engines span 997 to 1,386 cc and produce between 65 and 108 hp. Manual and Automatic gearboxes are available, and one detailed 1.4 MT version has AWD. Ground clearance is consistently 135 mm among the displayed specifications.

The fourth generation began in July 2010 as a Mini 5-doors model. Its original phase, ending in May 2013, contains 3 versions: two 1.2 CVT alternatives and a 1.5 MT. The restyling began in June 2013 and contains 4 versions: two 1.2 CVT alternatives, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. The restyled range expands output as high as 150 hp and offers ground clearance from 120 to 140 mm.

The fifth generation began in February 2021 as a Mini 5-doors model with 2 versions, 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Both use a 1,598 cc Gasoline engine producing 106 hp and 105 Nm, with FWD. The main choice is therefore transmission: 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic.

Nissan March engine specs and version comparison

Repeated version names are separated below by generation, phase, power, or drive so that each specification remains unambiguous.

The strongest power-per-liter result is the first-generation 0.9 MT and 0.9 AT, each producing approximately 118.3 hp per liter. The restyled fourth-generation 1.6 MT produces approximately 93.9 hp per liter. Among naturally aspirated third-generation choices, the 108 hp 1.2 MT and 1.2 AT each deliver approximately 87.1 hp per liter.

Nissan March performance and mpg

Performance measurements are incomplete, so the available figures should guide comparison without filling the gaps. In the second generation, the 54 hp 1.0 MT reaches 100 km/h in 16.4 seconds and 150 km/h, while the equivalent 1.0 CVT takes 19.7 seconds and reaches 145 km/h. The later 60 hp 1.0 MT records 15.5 seconds and 150 km/h; its 1.0 CVT counterpart records 18 seconds and 147 km/h.

The third-generation 88 hp 1.4 MT has the best measured acceleration in the supplied data: 11.9 seconds to 100 km/h and a 172 km/h top speed. The 1.4 AT takes 15 seconds and reaches 158 km/h. Thus, the Manual is 3.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has a 14 km/h higher top speed. Its combined consumption is also 6.3 liters per 100 km, compared with 6.8 for the Automatic.

Among smaller third-generation engines, the 80 hp 1.2 MT records 13.9 seconds to 100 km/h, 167 km/h, and 5.9 liters per 100 km combined. The 80 hp 1.2 AT records 17.9 seconds, 145 km/h, and 6.6 liters per 100 km. The 65 hp 1.0 MT uses 5.8 liters per 100 km combined and reaches 100 km/h in 15.7 seconds.

For the fourth-generation 1.2 CVT with FWD, top speed is measured at 170 km/h in the original phase; acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured. The corresponding AWD figures are not measured. Performance and consumption for every restyled fourth-generation version are also not measured.

The fifth-generation 1.6 MT uses 6.2 liters per 100 km in the city, 4.7 on the highway, and 5.5 combined. The 1.6 AT uses 6.6, 4.8, and 5.8 liters per 100 km respectively. The Manual therefore saves 0.4 liters per 100 km in the city, 0.1 on the highway, and 0.3 combined. Acceleration and top speed are not measured for either version.

Nissan March dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank capacity

Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Weight and chassis measurements provide the useful comparison instead.

The first-generation 0.9 MT weighs 740 kg, giving approximately 6.7 kg per horsepower. The 0.9 AT weighs 780 kg, or approximately 7.1 kg per horsepower. Among the basic first-generation models with measured weight, the 52 hp 1.0 MT weighs 700 kg, while the 52 hp 1.0 AT weighs 730 kg. Tank capacity is 40 liters throughout this generation.

In the second generation, measured kerb weights extend from 775 kg for the 54 hp 1.0 MT to 960 kg for the 1.4 AT. Ground clearance is 150 mm and the tank holds 42 liters. Gross weight, where available among the detailed versions, runs from 1,290 to 1,340 kg.

The displayed third-generation versions range from 870 kg for the 90 hp 1.2 MT to 1,215 kg for the original 1.5 MT. Ground clearance is 135 mm and tank capacity is 41 liters. Gross weight, where measured, is 1,430 or 1,475 kg depending on version.

The original fourth-generation 1.2 CVT weighs 950 kg with FWD and 1,030 kg with AWD. After restyling, the corresponding weights are 950 and 1,040 kg. All four have 140 mm ground clearance and a 41-liter tank. The restyled 1.5 MT weighs 1,010 kg with 120 mm clearance, while the 1.6 MT weighs 1,030 kg with 130 mm clearance.

The fifth-generation 1.6 MT weighs 1,004 kg and has a 1,394 kg gross weight. The 1.6 AT weighs 1,016 kg and has a 1,406 kg gross weight, making the Automatic 12 kg heavier in both measures. Ground clearance is not measured. Both accept 165/70 R14, 175/60 R15, and 185/55 R16 wheel sizes and use a 41-liter tank.

Which Nissan March version should you buy?

For the best power-to-weight result, choose the first-generation 0.9 MT. Its 110 hp, 130 Nm, Compressor, and 740 kg kerb weight produce the strongest calculated ratio in the supplied catalogue. The 0.9 AT keeps the same output but adds 40 kg and uses a 3-speed Automatic instead of a 5-speed Manual.

For the quickest version by engine output, choose the restyled fourth-generation 1.6 MT. It makes 150 hp and 160 Nm—34 hp and 4 Nm more than the restyled 1.5 MT—while weighing only 20 kg more. Measured acceleration, speed, and consumption are unavailable for both, so the recommendation rests on output and weight rather than unrecorded performance.

For a balanced automatic city-car specification, choose the restyled fourth-generation 1.2 CVT with FWD. Compared with the AWD version, it retains the same 79 hp and 106 Nm but weighs 90 kg less. Choose AWD only when drive configuration outweighs that weight difference.

For verified fuel economy, choose the fifth-generation 1.6 MT. It matches the 1.6 AT at 106 hp and 105 Nm, weighs 12 kg less, and records lower consumption in every measured cycle. The Automatic remains the alternative when transmission convenience matters more than the measured 0.3-liter combined-consumption difference.

For a third-generation car with the best documented balance of acceleration and consumption, choose the 88 hp 1.4 MT. It combines the generation’s fastest measured 0–100 km/h time and highest measured top speed with lower combined consumption than the 1.4 AT. If AWD is essential, the third-generation 1.4 MT with AWD provides the same 88 hp and 128 Nm, but its performance, economy, and kerb weight are not measured.