Denied! The cute Nissan Micra has been reborn as an EV rival for the MG4 and BYD Dolphin, but not for Australia

May 24, 2025May 23, 2025 Bruce Newton 707 Views 0 Comments 5 E-Tech, nissan, renault

Nissan has pulled the drapes of its 2026 Nissan Micra EV small car.

Developed alongside the well-received Renault 5 E-Tech, it’s said to deliver a decent small car range of more than 400km, offer fine driving manners and class-leading in-car tech.

But sadly, it’s unlikely ever to be offered in Australia. Frustratingly, the 5 E-Tech remains unconfirmed for Australia as well.

Reviving the 42-year-old nameplate for the all-electric age, the latest Micra EV is one of four Nissan EVs due from now until 2026.

That group also includes the battery-powered Juke, a tiny electric city car and the third-gen Leaf SUV that will be offered to Australians from next year.

The Micra, meanwhile, is limited to Europe and is unlikely to ever return to Australia where it hasn’t been sold since 2016.

Developed alongside the new Renault 5 E-Tech, the Micra EV was restyled by the Japanese brand’s London based design studio.

Drawing clear influences from the Mk3 Micra (K12) that was sold from 2002, the baby Nissan EV gets neat circular LED daytime running lamps that are replicated at the rear by another pair of pencil-thin LED tail lamps.

At the front, when you unlock the car, its LED lamps ‘wink’ at the approaching driver. Other design cues include new black plastic cladding around the bumper, arches and lower sills that are said to add some ruggedness.

From launch all Micra EVs ride on 18-inch wheels and are offered with the choice of 14 different colours that include a two-tone paint that blends a colour with either a black or grey roof.

Despite measuring in at under 4000mm long, Nissan claims the new Micra’s 2540mm wheelbase, provides enough space for five adults and an average-sized 326 litre boot.

Within the cabin the Micra looks almost identical to the latest R5, blending the dual 10.1-inch Google-powered screens that now feature Nissan-specific skins.

Based on the Renault-developed AmpR Small architecture, the Micra is offered with two powertrain choices:

2026 Nissan Micra.

A 90kW/225Nm e-motor that combines with a 40kWh battery for a 308km range; or

The flagship version with a 110kW/245Nm e-motor that combines with a larger 52kWh battery for a 408km claimed range.

Choose the larger of the two batteries and it can be DC charged at up to 100kW with a 15-80 per cent top-up taking in around 30 minutes.

The smaller 40kWh power pack, meanwhile, can only cope with an 80kW charging rate, although charging times are thought to be similar.

Whichever you choose, a cold weather efficiency-boosting heat pump is standard as well as a useful vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing you to power electric devices and tools away from home.

Nissan engineers say relatively light weight as low as 1400kg and a trick multi-link rear suspension make the new Micra EV among the class-best for handling.

Available in European dealers from late 2025, it’s thought the new Nissan Micra EV might cost more than the €25,000 ($44,000) charged for the base Renault 5 E-Tech.