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Nissan’s Smallest Hatch Is Back And It’s Unrecognizable

  • The new and fully electric Nissan Micra is a sister model to the Renault 5 E-Tech hatchback.
  • Despite the shared underpinnings, the Micra has a unique exterior design tailored for Europe.
  • The most potent version produces 148 hp and offers 408 km (254 miles) of WLTP range.

Small hatchbacks may seem like they’ve taken a backseat to the SUV craze in Europe, but Nissan isn’t ready to abandon this segment just yet. Enter the sixth generation of the Micra, which has been revamped as an electric vehicle, sharing its bones with the Renault 5 E-Tech. However, the Micra sports its own unique and playful design that aims to stand out in a competitive market.

More: All The New Nissan Models Arriving By 2027, From Sentra To Frontier

Designed at Nissan Design Europe’s London studio with European customers in mind, the new Micra sports some distinctive features. The standout design includes large, circular headlights and taillights, both equipped with body-colored inserts that nod to the 2011 Smart Forspeed Concept. When you lock or unlock the car, the front LEDs perform a little “wink” sequence.

A Nod to SUV Aesthetics, but Still a Hatchback

While the Micra may be compact, it borrows some visual cues from SUVs. Glossy black cladding wraps around the bumpers, profile, and wheel arches, adding a sense of ruggedness to its otherwise small frame. All trim levels come with 18-inch wheels in various designs, giving it a confident, planted look. And for those who love a good color combo, Nissan offers 14 different options, including two-tone combinations with either a black or gray roof.

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Despite its updated features, the new Micra maintains the compact size of its predecessors, measuring in at under 4 meters (157.5 inches) long, with a slightly longer 2.54-meter (100-inch) wheelbase. Like most modern hatchbacks, it is exclusively available in a five-seat configuration.

Interior Features: Familiar Yet Distinct

Inside, the Micra borrows heavily from the Renault 5 E-Tech, with dual 10.1-inch screens and a similar dashboard layout. The main differences come down to Nissan’s branding and a few personalized touche, like the molded outline of Mount Fuji between the front seats. The boot offers a modest 326 liters (11.5 cubic feet) of space, perfect for smaller urban adventures.

The new Micra rides on the AmpR Small architecture (CMF-BEV) and is available in two versions. The entry-level model combines a 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS) electric motor with a 40 kWh battery pack offering 308 km (191 miles) of WLTP range. The more potent version upgrades to a 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) motor and a larger 52 kWh battery, expanding the range to 408 km (254 miles).

The second option is compatible with 100 kW DC charging, allowing the 15-80% charge to be completed in 30 minutes. Both battery packs have Vehicle-to-Load tech for powering external devices and come standard with a heat pump, as well as battery heating and cooling capability.

More: Nissan’s Next Juke Is So Different, You Might Not Recognize It

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Nissan claims the Micra delivers “best-in-class” ride and handling, boasting a low center of gravity, optimized weight (ranging from 1,400 to 1,524 kg / 3,087 to 3,360 lbs), quick steering, and a suspension setup with a multi-link rear axle. Of course, Renault made the same claim about the R5 E-Tech when it launched in 2024, so maybe take that with a pinch of salt.

Pricing and Availability

The Micra is expected to hit European dealers in late 2025, though pricing won’t be confirmed until closer to launch. However, don’t expect it to be cheaper than the Renault 5 E-Tech, which starts at around €25,000. The Micra is positioned as a more premium option in the lineup, and will soon be joined by other electric models like the Juke and the upcoming Leaf crossover.

Nissan’s New EV Embraces Its MINI Side

  • A camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Nissan Micra EV made its spy debut in Europe.
  • The fully electric supermini will be produced by Renault, as a sister model to the R5 E-Tech.
  • The five-door hatchback boasts round LEDs on both ends and a compact footprint.

Nissan has several projects in the pipeline right now, and one of the more interesting ones is the fully electric Micra. A camouflaged prototype of the small hatchback was spotted testing ahead of its European market launch in 2026. The Micra will be manufactured by Renault, sharing its underpinnings with the upcoming R5 E-Tech.

More: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Is A 535-HP Supercar Disguised As A Hot Hatch

While we’ve seen glimpses of the new Micra’s exterior design in official teasers over the past few years, the spy shots are our first real look at the model. The proportions, roof structure, and overall greenhouse seem to mirror the Renault version, but the bodywork has been completely reworked.

Design Influences and Unique Features

The round headlights of the Nissan Micra are similar to those on the Mini Cooper, which also has an electric variant. However, Nissan has thankfully put its own spin on things like body-colored inserts and a grille-less front end. The bumper features a single cooling intake, and it looks like the black accents from the teaser images are actually fully blocked off.

Other interesting design touches include the round LED taillights, hidden rear door handles, and futuristic four-spoke alloy wheels. The sub-4m long, five-door hatchback will also feature glossy black cladding around the wheel arches, keeping in line with the current trends in automotive design.

Powertrain and Battery

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The Nissan Micra will ride on the AmpR Small platform, already used by the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Alpine A290 hot hatch. It’s expected to offer a choice between 40 kWh and 52 kWh battery packs, with the larger pack providing a range of over 400 km (250 miles).

More: Mitsubishi’s American EV Will Be A Nissan In Disguise

In terms of power, the Micra could mirror the Renault 5’s options, with a single electric motor producing 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS), 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS), or 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS). A future performance version of the Micra, partly inspired by the extreme Nissan Concept 20-23, might even borrow the 217 hp (160 kW / 220 PS) motor from the Alpine, though Nissan’s financial situation might put a damper on that idea, as a low-volume hot hatch would require a substantial investment.

Pricing and Availability

Given the Renault 5 E-Tech’s pricing, we can expect the electric Nissan Micra to start at around €25,000 (about $28,200 at current exchange rates) when it launches in Europe next year. Beyond the Micra, Nissan has more electric offerings in the pipeline for Europe, including a zero-emission version of the Juke and a new-generation Leaf crossover. There are also reports that the company is developing an even smaller and more affordable urban EV, based on the upcoming Renault Twingo E-Tech.

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Nissan

All The New Nissan Models Arriving By 2027, From Sentra To Frontier

  • Nissan will launch over 14 new and facelifted models over the next two years.
  • North America will get a new Leaf, a new Sentra, and no less than four SUVs.
  • Highlights from other markets include Micra and Juke EVs, minivans and pickups.

Nissan is having a rough go of it. Between plummeting sales, financial struggles, failed merger talks with Honda, and the resignation of its CEO, things aren’t exactly looking up. But rather than giving up, the Japanese automaker is making its move. With a fresh strategy in place, Nissan is gearing up to unveil a series of new and revamped models by 2027.

The brand’s revamped lineup will feature a mix of combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. Nissan has already dropped teasers of several models set to roll out over the next two years, targeting various markets across the globe.

For North America, Nissan will roll out a batch of fresh cars, including new generations of the Nissan Leaf EV, the Sentra sedan, and the Rogue SUV, alongside a facelifted version of the Pathfinder.

The New Leaf Becomes A Crossover

First up, the Leaf. No longer a plain-Jane hatchback, the new version is going full crossover, complete with sleeker styling, 19-inch wheels, and a panoramic moonroof. It will be built on the CMF-EV platform, borrowed from the larger Ariya, and will have “significant range improvements” over its predecessor. Oh, and it will be the first Nissan to feature the NACS charging port, so it’s officially Tesla Supercharger-compatible.

More: Is Nissan Bringing Back The Primera As An Electric Sedan?

It’s worth mentioning that the new Nissan Leaf will be a global offering, not just for North America. It will also be available in Europe, Japan, and Australia.

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Rogue and Pathfinder Updates

The 2026 Nissan Rogue (aka the X-Trail in other markets) is getting a powertrain upgrade. It’ll be available in gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions. The e-Power hybrid, which uses a 1.5-liter engine that acts as a generator for the electric motor powering the wheels, is back for another round.

And in case you haven’t been paying attention, the Rogue PHEV will actually be a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander. Yes, Nissan is using its Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance to repurpose a Mitsubishi design for this one. If you were hoping for something entirely new, you might want to adjust your expectations.

More: Mitsubishi Ready To Dump Nissan Platforms

The Pathfinder, meanwhile, gets a mid-lifecycle facelift, with a new nose that should bring it into line with the rest of Nissan’s lineup. Expect that to be unveiled later this year.

New Sentra And More SUVs

Alongside it, a redesigned Sentra compact sedan will make its debut, with sharper looks that may or may not make you care more about compact sedans in general.

Finally, Nissan has also teased an “adventure-focused SUV” with an electric powertrain that will be manufactured at the Canton Mississippi plant in the US starting in 2027. The yet-unnamed model has a boxy stance and futuristic LEDs, and appears to be smaller than the Rogue and the Pathfinder.

Electric Micra and Juke for Europe

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Over in Europe, Nissan is set to launch the fully electric Micra, which will finally get its production version after being teased since 2022. Sharing its underpinnings with the Renault R5 E-Tech, this little EV will likely appeal to those who want to go green while still having a cute, compact car to get around in.

Another important debut for Europe will be the fully electric version of the Nissan Juke, inspired by the Hyper Punk concept. The zero-emission subcompact SUV is different from the ICE-powered Juke, featuring a heavily sculpted bodywork while retaining some of its quirkiness.

In the same region, the Nissan Qashqai will receive the third-gen e-Power hybrid powertrain, which promises better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

A New Frontier / Navara For Latin America And A Different Pickup For Australia

Another notable debut is the new Navara/Frontier midsize pickup, set to arrive in 2026. Unfortunately, this rugged truck will be exclusive to Latin American markets (LATAM). From the teaser image, it appears to be a heavily redesigned version of the old Navara, boasting an “evolved design,” upgraded infotainment, and a promising suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

More: 2027 Navara Will Be A True Nissan, Despite Mitsubishi Triton Roots

The successor of the global-spec Nissan Navara will be a different model, sharing its underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Triton. This one is described as an “all-new one-ton pickup” that will be launched in Australia in 2026.

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Indian-Built SUV And Minivan

Nissan is gearing up to launch two new models in India, both of which will be produced at the company’s Chennai factory for domestic sales and exports. First up is a budget-friendly minivan with crossover styling, set to debut in 2025.

This will be followed by a five-seater SUV in 2026, which will be Nissan’s version of the Dacia/Renault Duster, complete with a redesigned front end. Additionally, the company has announced a five-seater SUV for select African markets, though it’s unclear if it will share the same design as the India-bound model.

In Nissan’s home market of Japan, the company will release a facelifted kei car in 2025, along with a new generation of a large minivan featuring the latest hybrid powertrain in 2026.

Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s current chief planning officer and future CEO, had this to say:

“Over the next two years, we are excited to roll out an impressive lineup that will redefine the road! This includes the reimagined Nissan LEAF, and a daring new Micra EV. But that’s not all – we’re refreshing our range of SUVs to elevate the driving experience, and our next-generation e-POWER promises new levels of refinement and efficiency. We are committed to investing in products that embody the very best of Nissan. To our passionate fans and loyal owners around the world, I can assure you, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.”

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