Nissan Micra Review: Generations, Specs and Which One to Buy

A full look at Nissan Micra generations from 1985 to the present: power ranges, gearboxes and the standout versions worth buying used.

The Nissan Micra is a micro-class hatchback built since 1985, with outputs spanning 50 to 117 hp across its lifespan. It suits city drivers who want a compact, front-wheel-drive car with modest running demands, and anyone comparing nissan micra generations before a used purchase. Every generation in the data is front-wheel drive and wears the same micro body type, which keeps the comparison between eras straightforward: what changes over four decades is engines, gearboxes and efficiency, not layout.

Nissan Micra generations

1 generation (1985–1992)

The first Micra ran from 1985 to 1992 in a micro body with 50–60 hp and 14 modifications, all front-wheel drive with a choice of Manual or Automatic. The Nissan Micra 1.0 MT (54 hp) was the economical pick at 5.8 l/100 km and 14.6 s to 100 km/h, using a 988 cc engine. The mass-market version was the 1.2 MT (54 hp) with a 1200 cc unit, while the 1.2 AT (60 hp) with the 1235 cc engine topped the range — it needed 17.0 s to reach 100 km/h and consumed 7.2 l/100 km, the highest figure recorded for the model.

2 generation (1992–2003)

The second generation (1992–2003) grew to 18 modifications with 54–82 hp, adding a CVT alongside the manual. The volume seller was the 1.0 CVT (60 hp) with a 998 cc engine and an 18.0 s sprint. The Nissan Micra 1.4 CVT (82 hp), with a 1348 cc engine, was the strongest version, reaching 100 km/h in 12.5 s, and the range also included a 1527 cc diesel, the 1.5 MT (57 hp), which took 18.0 s to 100 km/h. The 1.0 MT (54 hp) returned 6.1 l/100 km and accelerated in 16.4 s.

3 generation (2002–2011)

Built from 2002 to 2011 with 17 modifications, the third Micra spanned 65–110 hp with Manual and Automatic gearboxes. The Nissan Micra 1.6 MT (110 hp) was the quickest of the era at 9.8 s to 100 km/h from its 1598 cc engine; the same unit was also offered as the 1.6 AT (110 hp) for buyers who wanted the top output with a conventional automatic. The mainstream 1.4 MT (88 hp), with a 1386 cc engine, managed 11.9 s, and the frugal 1.2 MT (80 hp) used 5.9 l/100 km with a 13.9 s sprint.

4 generation (2010–2013)

The fourth generation (2010–2013) trimmed the lineup to 6 modifications, all with a 1198 cc engine, from 76 to 98 hp, offered with Manual, Automatic and CVT. The Nissan Micra 1.2 MT (80 hp) consumed just 5.0 l/100 km and reached 100 km/h in 13.7 s. The most common version was the 1.2 CVT (80 hp) at 14.5 s and 5.4 l/100 km, while the 1.2 CVT (98 hp) led on power.

4 generation, restyling (2013–2019)

The 2013–2019 restyling kept 4 modifications at 80–98 hp with Manual and CVT gearboxes. The Nissan Micra 1.2 MT (98 hp) hit 100 km/h in 11.3 s and used only 4.3 l/100 km — one of the best power-to-consumption balances in the model's history, still from the familiar 1198 cc engine. The 1.2 CVT (98 hp) matched the output with 11.8 s and 5.0 l/100 km.

5 generation (2017–2020)

The fifth Micra (2017–2020) offered 6 modifications from 72 to 117 hp with Manual and Automated manual gearboxes. The Nissan Micra 1.0 MT (117 hp) reached 100 km/h in 9.9 s at 5.0 l/100 km from a 999 cc engine, the volume 1.0 MT (100 hp) did 10.0 s at 4.5 l/100 km, and the 1.5 MT diesel (89 hp), with a 1461 cc engine, sipped just 3.6 l/100 km while accelerating in 11.9 s.

5 generation, restyling (2020–present)

The current restyled fifth generation (2020–present) counts 7 modifications, 72–117 hp, with Manual and CVT options. The Nissan Micra 0.9 MT (90 hp) is the mainstream choice, pairing an 898 cc engine with 4.8 l/100 km and a 12.1 s sprint. The 1.0 MT (117 hp) repeats the 9.9 s sprint at 5.0 l/100 km, and the 1.5 MT diesel (89 hp) improves to 3.4 l/100 km with the same 11.9 s acceleration as before.

6 generation (2025–present)

A sixth generation was introduced in 2025; detailed modification data for it is not yet listed.

Which Nissan Micra to buy

On the used market, the fourth generation and later (2010 onward) share simple front-wheel-drive layouts and small-displacement engines, and the 2013–2019 restyled cars combine the newest pre-2017 hardware with the widest availability among recent Micras. Anyone researching nissan micra reliability should note that the fourth-generation cars all share one 1198 cc engine family, which simplifies parts supply, while the fifth generation splits between 999 cc petrol and 1461 cc diesel units. Earlier generations are now 20+ years old, so condition matters more than specification.

Nissan Micra specs at a glance

Across eight generations the Nissan Micra stayed a front-wheel-drive micro car. Engine sizes ranged from the 898 cc unit in the 0.9 MT (90 hp) to the 1598 cc engine of the third-generation 1.6 versions, with diesels of 1461–1527 cc appearing in the second and fifth generations. Gearbox choice evolved from Manual and Automatic in 1985 to CVT from 1992, and an Automated manual appeared in the 2017–2020 cars. Fuel economy in the data runs from 3.4 l/100 km (1.5 MT diesel, current restyling) to 7.2 l/100 km (1.2 AT, 1 generation), and acceleration from 9.8 s (1.6 MT, 3 generation) to 18.0 s (1.0 CVT and 1.5 MT diesel, 2 generation). Anyone checking nissan micra specs for a specific year should match the production window: 1985–1992, 1992–2003, 2002–2011, 2010–2013, 2013–2019, 2017–2020 and 2020–present cover the distinct engineering eras of the model.