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Photo of a Nissan Micra

Nissan Micra

1993: the first Japanese-designed European Car of the Year.1

Researched October 25, 2026 from 35 sources

At a glance

0100200
49–148 hpPower
01020
7.7–19.4 s0–100 km/h
0100200
136–191.5 km/hTop speed
0150300
72–245 N·mTorque
07501,500
630–1,452 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.271314

Layout
Front-wheel drive; K11 1.35 L CVT also offered 4WD2
Gearbox
K11: 5MT/4AT/CVT; DIG-S: 5MT/CVT; DIG-T 117: 6MT; EV: automatic291213
Built at
K10: Oppama Plant, Japan; K11/K12: Sunderland, UK; EV: Douai, France2611

The story

Launched as the March in Japan in 1982, it was meant to fill the small-car role as the Cherry grew. Europe got the Micra in 1983; its first shape began with a Giugiaro-led Italdesign layout.234

1982: March fills the Cherry's old role19821983: Europe meets the Micra19831993: K11 becomes Car of the Year19932002: K12 continues the Sunderland story20022010: V-platform targets 160 countries20102017: European reinvention with headrest audio20172019: New engines and an Xtronic CVT20192025: Sixth generation goes electric2025 Datsun / Nissan Cherry: 1970–1986Datsun / Nissan CherryNissan Micra / March (K10): 1982–1992K10Nissan Micra / March (K11): 1992–2007K11Nissan Micra / March (K12): From 2002K12Nissan Micra / March (K13): From 2010K13Nissan Micra (K14): 2016–2023K14Nissan Micra electric: 2025–present 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones235678101113242526
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1970–1986Datsun / Nissan Cherry
1982–1992Nissan Micra / March (K10)
1992–2007Nissan Micra / March (K11)
From 2002Nissan Micra / March (K12)
From 2010Nissan Micra / March (K13)
2016–2023Nissan Micra (K14)
2025–presentNissan Micra electric
1982March fills the Cherry's old role
1983Europe meets the Micra
1993K11 becomes Car of the Year
2002K12 continues the Sunderland story
2010V-platform targets 160 countries
2017European reinvention with headrest audio
2019New engines and an Xtronic CVT
2025Sixth generation goes electric
  1. 1982

    March fills the Cherry's old role

    The K10 March launches in Japan in October, created to fill the small-car role as the Cherry grows into a larger car.2

  2. 1983

    Europe meets the Micra

    The European launch follows in June. During Nissan's brand transition, some markets know it as the Datsun-Nissan Micra; Datsun badges disappear by the end of 1984.2

  3. 1993

    K11 becomes Car of the Year

    Built at Sunderland after its 1992 launch, the K11 wins European Car of the Year for 1993: the first winner designed in Japan.12

  4. 2002

    K12 continues the Sunderland story

    The third generation arrives in February and is built at Sunderland; the later C+C adds Nissan's first UK-designed, engineered and built hardtop convertible.567

  5. 2010

    V-platform targets 160 countries

    Vincent Cobee's V-platform program takes the fourth-generation Micra global: developed in Japan, planned for 160 countries and at least four overseas factories.8

  6. 2017

    European reinvention with headrest audio

    The fifth generation targets European buyers with extensive personalization and BOSE Personal speakers in the driver's headrest.3

  7. 2019

    New engines and an Xtronic CVT

    The 1.0 L IG-T adds 99 hp and an Xtronic CVT option; the 115 hp DIG-T brings a six-speed manual and a 10 mm lower ride height.9

  8. 2025

    Sixth generation goes electric

    Nissan Design Europe in London shapes the EV: 40/52 kWh batteries, 0–100 km/h in 8–9 seconds and 15–80% DC charging in 30 minutes.1011

Every generation

  • Datsun / Nissan Cherry
    Datsun / Nissan Cherry1970–1986
  • Nissan Micra / March
    K101982–1992
  • Nissan Micra / March
    K111992–2007
  • Nissan Micra / March
    K12From 2002
  • Nissan Micra / March
    K13From 2010
  • Nissan Micra
    K142016–2023
  • Nissan Micra electric
    Nissan Micra electric2025–present

Power over the years

From 49 hp to 148 hp in 43 years.

050100150 1990200020102020 hp 1983 · 49 hp · K10 1.01989 · 108 hp · March Super Turbo1992 · 54 hp · K11 1.01992 · 74 hp · K11 1.32000 · 80 hp · K11 1.42005 · 108 hp · 160SR / C+C SPORT 1.62010 · 79 hp · Fourth gen 1.22011 · 97 hp · DIG-S 1.2 supercharged2019 · 99 hp · IG-T 100 1.02019 · 115 hp · DIG-T 117 1.02026 · 121 hp · 40 kWh EV; up to 196 miles WLTP2026 · 148 hp · 52 kWh EV; up to 257 miles WLTP 148 hp 52 kWh EV; up to 257 miles WLTP 49 hp K10 1.0
25789121315
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
198349K10 1.0
1989108March Super Turbo
199254K11 1.0
199274K11 1.3
200080K11 1.4
2005108160SR / C+C SPORT 1.6
201079Fourth gen 1.2
201197DIG-S 1.2 supercharged
201999IG-T 100 1.0
2019115DIG-T 117 1.0
202612140 kWh EV; up to 196 miles WLTP
202614852 kWh EV; up to 257 miles WLTP

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Performance

    Micra 160SR

    2005

    110 hp
  • March 12SR / 15SR-A

    Performance

    March 12SR / 15SR-A

  • March Nismo / Nismo S

    Performance

    March Nismo / Nismo S

    2013

  • March Bolero / Rumba (K11)

    Special

    March Bolero / Rumba (K11)

  • March Cabriolet / Box (K11)

    Special

    March Cabriolet / Box (K11)

  • Limited

    Micra BOSE Personal Edition

    2017

    89 hp
  • Muji Car 1000

    Limited

    Muji Car 1000

    2001

    1,000 built

  • Micra Kiiro

    Limited

    Micra Kiiro

    2022

  • March Bolero A30

    Limited

    March Bolero A30

    2016

How to spot one

Look for

  • K11: bubble-like windows and very slim front and center pillars.23
  • K12: look for the rounded lights.6

Year by year

  1. 1985 (K10)

    A reshaped tailgate and larger rear lamps mark the first update; Japan also gained the 1.0-liter Turbo.2

  2. 1989 (K10)

    Deeper bumpers, a new grille and changed headlights distinguish the second facelift.2

  3. 1997 Japan; 1998 UK

    The K11 grille moves into the hood; oval side repeaters, a rear roof antenna, revised lamps, bumpers and dashboard mark the facelift.2

  4. 1999 Japan; late 2000 UK

    The K11 rear wiper now rests horizontally; a smaller third brake light moves from the parcel shelf to the top of the rear window.2

  5. 2005 (Japan)

    March gets a new grille, bumpers, taillights and wheel covers; revised seats and fabrics update the cabin.18

  6. November 2020

    N-Sport and Tekna gain standard LED headlights, a useful late-car clue within those grades.24

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Nissan Micra
    Micra
    Photo of a Renault 5 E-Tech electric
    Renault 5 E-Tech electric

    Renault 5 E-Tech electric

    The electric Micra shares its platform but has round lights, pronounced wheel arches, unique bumpers and a revised dashboard with its own upholstery.11

Against its rivals

  • Nissan Versa Note

    Micra vs Nissan Versa Note

    Base price with fees lower is better

    Micra11,564 CAD
    Nissan Versa Note15,865 CAD
    27

  • Micra vs SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI XCellence

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Micra16.4 s
    SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI XCellence9.3 s
    28

  • Micra vs Renault 5 E-Tech electric

    WLTP range (52 kWh)

    Micra416 km
    Renault 5 E-Tech electric410 km
    11

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “338 points and Europe's first Japanese-designed winner”
    • “Bédard's 1:43.604 Micra Cup record”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 35 sources
  1. Car of the Year 1993: Nissan Micra caroftheyear.org
  2. Nissan Micra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. All-new Nissan Micra: the revolution has begun global.nissannews.com
  4. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Nissan March Super Turbo nissan-global.com
  5. Nissan March, Nissan Micra & derivatives mjs.home.xs4all.nl
  6. Nissan GB Gives the Mighty Micra 350SR a Restomod Refresh for its 23rd Birthday uk.nissannews.com
  7. THE MICRA C+C SHOW OPENS uk.nissannews.com
  8. KEEPING SMALL CARS SIMPLE uk.nissannews.com
  9. Nissan widens Micra appeal with two new petrol engines, N-Sport grade and all-new Xtronic automatic transmission uk.nissannews.com
  10. Welcome to the All-New Nissan MICRA EV: smiles guaranteed europe.nissannews.com
  11. Renault 5 et Nissan Micra - Autotouring autotouring.acl.lu
  12. GIVE DERV A SWERVE AND SAVE WITH THE NEW MICRA DIG-S uk.nissannews.com
  13. Nissan MICRA Press Kit uk.nissannews.com
  14. Nissan Micra (K10) – AutoWiki autowiki.fi
  15. Nissan Micra (K11) – AutoWiki autowiki.fi
  16. 2006 NISSAN MICRA SPORT C+C | Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd November | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  17. Nissan Micra 160SR (2005) review | evo evo.co.uk
  18. 「マーチ」をマイナーチェンジ global.nissannews.com
  19. Nissan releases Fairlady Z Nismo and introduces March NISMO global.nissannews.com
  20. Nissan Micra BOSE® Personal® Edition: expressive design and vivid sound in perfect harmony europe.nissannews.com
  21. Micra Kiiro Special Edition joins the Nissan line up as orders open for Micra and Juke Kiiro special versions uk.nissannews.com
  22. オーテックジャパン創立30周年記念車、 マーチ「Bolero A30（ボレロ エー サーティ）」を30台限定発売 ——4月11日（月）からホームページにて商談申込みの受付けを開始—— | ニュースリリース | カスタマイズ事業部 | 日産モータースポーツ＆カスタマイズ株式会社 autech.co.jp
  23. Nissan Micra (Mk2, 1992-2002) icon review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  24. Used Nissan Micra (Mk5, 2016-date) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  25. Nissan Cherry - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. Used Nissan Micra (Mk4, 2010-2016) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  27. 2015 Nissan Micra S Review – S Stands For Basic | GCBC goodcarbadcar.net
  28. Nissan Micra vs. SEAT Ibiza twin test | CompleteCar.ie completecar.ie
  29. Gran Turismo: Nissan Micra Edition - LaunchBox Games Database gamesdb.launchbox-app.com
  30. PewDiePie - My New Car II - The Shorty Awards shortyawards.com
  31. The Nissan Micra Cup - Race Results No. 1 - 2019 | Micra Cup | Nissan Canada sentracup.com
  32. Double victory for Jesse Lazare while Kevin King claims the title in the Nissan Micra Cup canada.nissannews.com
  33. [A291599]マーチ ニスモ Ｓ[4.6万km/2016年式]のオークション実績（2025年7月に成約）[総合評価 : 4.5][内装評価 : B][外装評価 : B] | 中古車を高く売るならセルカ(SellCa) sellca-sellcar.com
  34. 1,317 used Nissan Micra for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  35. 1988 Nissan Micra GSX automatic, 988cc. Registration number F95 SBV. VIN number JN1000K10U0473787. E spicersauctioneers.com
  • caroftheyear.org
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • global.nissannews.com
  • nissan-global.com
  • mjs.home.xs4all.nl
  • uk.nissannews.com
  • europe.nissannews.com
  • autotouring.acl.lu
  • autowiki.fi
  • angliacarauctions.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • autech.co.jp
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • goodcarbadcar.net

Photo credits

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