Nissan Micra: What do you think of the twin of the Renault 5?

The Nissan Micra is back, but not quite as we knew it. For 2026, the Japanese city car radically changes its appearance… and its heart.

Under a characterful body, the Nissan Micra hides exactly the same technical base as the new electric Renault 5. Same platform, same batteries, same engine: the Micra and the R5 are now true twins under the hood… and more generally under the body! Because the interior is practically identical to that of the Renault 5, minus the diamonds. Double 10.25-inch screens and always meticulous finishes, but more subdued colors (white, gray, black) to emphasize a slightly more upscale positioning.

Here is the challenge posed to Nissan: how to offer a model with strong DNA when all the technology is already known, already tested, and especially already visible at Renault? Engineers and designers had to work with this imposed base, called AmpR Small, to imagine a Micra that is not just a “Renault 5 with a Nissan badge”.

At first glance, the bet seems successful: the new Micra displays a style all its own. Taller at the front, with marked wheel arches and lines shaped to give it a slight crossover look, it clearly distinguishes itself from its cousin. The nod to the 2002 Micra is visible in the round headlights and generous volumes, and a few details like the more sculpted rear or the side line indicate a clear effort to stand out.

But then, does this Micra have a true identity or will it remain in the shadow of the highly anticipated Renault 5? It’s hard to say for now. The style is there, the intention is too. But in an ultra-competitive segment and facing a strong icon like the R5, the Micra will need to do more than just play the difference. It will have to prove that it can attract on its own. To be continued.

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