You might be surprised what £8,000 buys you in the supermini sector. Something like Nissan’s Micra Visia+ for example. Jonathan Crouch checks it out….
Let’s be honest. We all like to go large, but doing so can be bad for the wallet as well as the waistline. In the case of buying a budget supermini, it is of course the wallet area that suffers if you go a bit too wild. You know, opt for the slightly larger engine. Throw in a few well-chosen extras. Before you look round, you’re looking at a price that’s taken you well over budget.
If that’s a familiar scenario for you, then read on for Nissan claim to have an answer, even on a budget of £8,000. We’re talking here about the Micra Visia+ model, not the most snappily-named car it’s true but offering a snappy value package. For just £500 over the cost of a standard ‘Visia’ Micra variant, you get the two things that most entry-level Micra customers really want: the feistier 80PS 1.2-litre petrol engine (rather than the feebler 65PS version) and manual air conditioning. All at a price that still keeps you the right side of £8,000, in three-door form at least.
On the road, you’ll find the 80PS engine just as economical as the 65PS unit, delivering 47.9 mpg (manual) and 42.8 mpg (automatic) combined, yet the manual model hits 62mph in a more sprightly 13.5 secs for a more dynamic drive in the cut and thrust of city traffic.
For those who like their interiors a little bit more vibrant, there’s a unique cabin treatment on offer, with snazzy orange seat trim contrasting with a chocolate finish to the dashboard, steering wheel and gear lever (something my little ones already apply to every car interior I subject them to). Graphite upholstery remains available for those with more conservative tastes. On the outside, the full Micra palette of paint shades is available, but they’re joined by the ‘exclusive’ and ‘sparkling’ Sunlit Copper that Nissan claims will show the Micra Visia+ off to best effect should you be fortunate enough to get some sunshine.
"There’s something about this car that makes other superminis look very boring. …"
The added spec comes on top of the standard Visia grade’s side airbags, front active headrests, a CD player, power front windows, rear sliding seat, central locking and ISOFIX childseat mounting points. We also liked the various life-easing convenience features such as can-holders front and rear plus a bag hook. Prices start at £7,995 for the 3 door manual, with an extra £650 for the 5 door model and a £900 supplement for the automatic gearbox option. In terms of insurance, all models get a low group 2 rating.
Of course, much will hinge on how easily the Micra’s styling rests on your eye. Few small cars generate such a ‘Marmite’ love it or hate it response. It’s been tweaked in recent times to give a cleaner more modern look. Other small changes have been made to the switchgear and Nissan have worked hard to improve the Micra’s refinement, fitting thicker front door glass, improved door seals and revised wheelarch liners. Engine noise has been reduced by stiffening body panels and the roof while an engine isolation pack has been developed with thicker insulation material and better bulkhead sealing to keep noise out of the cabin.
True, this isn’t the largest supermini in terms of interior space but as long as you don’t place cabin room at the top of your priority list, this Micra deserves consideration. In sacrificing space for style, it’ll disappear off the shortlists of some and onto those of others. The fact that the Micra has changed from an old person’s car to one favoured by younger buyers can only be a good thing for Nissan, but the figures need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Moving the mean purchasing age from 52.5 years down to the mid forties doesn’t make the Micra the supermini du jour for twentysomething urban trendies but it’s a step in the right direction.
And me? Well call me old before my time, but I’m a convert. There’s something about this car that makes other superminis look very boring. And anyway, I’m a sucker for going large…..
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Nissan Micra Visia+
PRICES: £7,995-£8,895 – on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 2E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 139g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.5s / Max Speed 90mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 47.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, (5dr) 3715/1860/1540mm