Remaining relatively faithful to the Sway Concept from last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Nissan unveiled the fifth-generation Micra at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, more than six years after the fourth-generation Micra arrived.
Directed at the European market, which Nissan says is the world’s largest market for hatchbacks, the Micra is not at all intended for sale in the United States. But what about Canada, where Nissan has racked up 27,000 Micra sales in 29 months and the Micra is the brand’s second-best-selling passenger car?
“We don’t have current plans to announce for Micra in Canada for now,” Nissan Canada’s director of corporate communications, Didier Marsaud, told TTAC in an email today. “But Micra remains an important product in our portfolio in the Canadian market.”
So he’s saying there’s a chance.
The 2017 Nissan Micra adopts the Juke’s trick of hiding rear door handles in the C-pillars, but there’s no mistaking the fact the new Micra is a four-door hatchback. Modern Nissan cues abound, from the grille we’ve already seen on the updated 2017 Rogue to the beltline that kicks up at the C-pillar in Murano fashion.
Inside, Nissan claims to have lowered the driving position — you always sat on, rather than in, the fourth-gen Micra — and expanded the cabin overall. Nissan will allow formerly high-end kit to trickle down into its B-segment hatch: lane departure prevention, intelligent emergency braking, an Around View monitor, auto high beams, blind spot monitoring, an available Bose sound system, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. Nissan says Active Ride Control and Active Trace Control will provide improved ride quality and reduce understeer while a brushless electric power steering system, Nissan claims, will enhance steering feel.
Early engines include a gas-fired 0.9-liter turbo triple and a 1.5-liter diesel with 90 horsepower apiece. Nissan will then add a 73-horsepower 1.0-liter gas engine to the mix.
Presently, Nissan Canada’s Mexican-built Micra operates with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 106 horsepower.
Spartan in every sense of the word, the base 2016 Micra is priced from CAD $11,588 including freight and PDI, an unlikely price point for this all-new 2017 French-built Micra were it to arrive on this side of the Atlantic. Given Nissan’s tendency to allow models to live for eons south of the Rio Grande, it seems likely that Nissan Canada — particularly given the statement from the company’s spokesperson — will allow the current Micra to forge on for the time being.
Yet with Nissan returning the Micra to eye-catching status, a corner of the B-segment where the Micra hasn’t lived since the third-gen model brought its froggy look to market, Canadians can look forward to the possibility of a fifth-generation Micra arriving. Later, rather than sooner.
[Images: Nissan UK]
Looks like Scion and Nissan had a baby…Hate to admit it but like the look.
Much as the “Micraxima” styling looks good, it also result in some pretty massive D-pillars.
The current Micra might be spartan and kind of uninspiring, but at least you can see out of it.
Glass is the new unobtanium unfortunately.
I’m not sure why everyone (manufacturers and buyers alike) are so accepting of the poor visibility in our cars these days.
I’m truly surprised IIHS, NHSTA, and the like are on board with it. Less visibility = less safety. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of additional airbags.
Would be an interesting DD/commuter. At least it isn’t overly snooze-inducing boring to look at.
Yep. It looks decent for a super mini. I like the idea of the 900cc turbo triple but expect CVTs everywere.
It’ll have a horrendous A pillar blindspot and zero rear visibility.
At least the picture of the interior shows a honest-to-goodness manual. Not that it matters much, as it isn’t coming to the US.
I expect a cvt later on but so far it looks like only a 5 spd man has been announced.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/485707/2017-nissan-micra-revealed-in-paris/photos/
Hiq press shots.
I like it and for people in the EU UK AU etc. looks like a decent car I expect for well under $15,000 given Nissan is a lower tier manufacturer.
Thought it was A-segment…
It looks good…way better than the cartoonish Chevy Spark.
I agree. It’s mature, and has an air of Citroen about it. As well, it’s WAY better looking than the Versa Note.
Kyree, the 2nd gen Spark has at least calmed down a little from the 1st gen (I actually *briefly* considered a 2nd gen manual for my DD), but I agree that this next-gen Micra is quite a nice looking little hatch. Too bad they won’t grace our roads, not that many folks would likely actually buy one.
Other than the blacked out c-pillar, which is an awful trend, I love it. First Nissan design I can say that about in a very long time.
Mary Samsonite would not approve of this car!
(Loved the reference by the way.)
Do most Canadian branches of manufacturers answer your emails like Nissan does? I seem to recall they provided engineering input on some other question previously as well. Seems like they like TTAC, or Tim.
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*Checks bank account.*
The chance of Canada seeing this French-built model may depend on the trade agreement currently being negotiated with the EU. The EU trade agreement with the US struck out, but maybe there’s a way in via a Canada/EU agreement and NAFTA?
CVT ideal for this small car. Should keep the hwy rpms nice & low. The Canadian Micra blessed with ancient 4spud.
Not keen on French build quality. Really shows in the Yaris hatch.
It’s really down to cost of AquaS. getting a powertrain for the Canadian market.
Looks like a very small and Cramped hatchback.
Wonder if a 6ft+ could fit?
The picture of the front section makes it look very cramped!
The rear design makes it look like it has a very limited rear and side views.