Friday, May 30, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 19
DrivewayCanada.ca
I’m extremely tempted to use the word cute. But I won’t. It’s small, which definitely contributes to its c-word factor. Alexandra Straub
Visit the Nissan Micra gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
Photos courtesy Nissan Canada
Bargain priced Nissan Micra returns to basics Montreal, QC. - Even though the with the same peppy powerplant. days of roll down windows, no air Okay, I realize that “peppy” is a relaconditioning or fancy features aren’t tive term here. There’s 109 horsepower that far behind us, it’s tough to find a and 107 lb-ft of torque generated back-to-basics car in today’s market. from its 1.6L, 4-cylinder engine. But in Enter the 2015 Nissan Micra with a the city and on the highway, it’s still a price tag under $10k. decent amount. As its name suggests, Three trims of Micra it’s not a full-size SUV. are available: S, SV, What it is is a front and SR. Each can be engine, front-wheel paired with either the drive, five-door vehicle. aforementioned 5-speed It’s diminutive in size manual or an available but not lacking in the 4-speed automatic. The personality department. mid-grade SV trim can The Micra Not at all. also be paired with a is affordable You’d think that with a Convenience package starting MSRP of $9,998 transportation with (available both on the for the Micra S (with the amiable drivability, MT and AT). manual transmission) Looking at it, I’m exan easy-on-the you might get shorttremely tempted to use eyes interior and changed on the fun the word “cute.” But I overall a bubbly factor. Again, not the won’t. It’s small, which personality. case. definitely contributes to In fact, of the four modits c-word factor, and Alexandra Straub els I drove (there are comes it some bubbly eight models available) colours, as well as acit happened to be my favourite. cent colours. For example, the SV with The 5-speed manual transmission has the automatic I drove had a white a springy clutch, a gearbox that shifts exterior with purple accents. up and down smoothly, and a personInside, you and your four passengers ality that is waiting to be unleashed. will we greeted with cushy cloth seats. It might not have air conditioning, The driver will then have access to a Bluetooth or a rearview camera (on centre stack that is easy to use and this trim, but they are available on organized ergonomically. other models), but those aren’t deal Describing its aura could best be debreakers for me, nor are they for fined as “welcoming.” And despite its people looking to buy a great car at a size, even taller individuals shouldn’t great price. feel claustrophobic. With a driving What’s more, each Micra model comes partner who stands 6’2”, he still had
‘‘
’’
|
welcome to the driver’s seat.
to advertise in this weekly feature call today at 604.247.3704
headroom and some room to stretch out either piloting or co-piloting the Micra. Under hard acceleration, primarily from the 4-speed automatic, the Micra is quite vocal. You can really hear the engine noise intrude the cabin. It’s not a performance machine like the Nissan GT-R, where you want to hear as much ruckus as you can. However, when cruising at highway speeds – without the lead foot acceleration – my driving partner and I noticed how quiet the cabin is. Wind noise is kept at bay and it’s serene. Furthermore, it was an incredibly blustery day when we took these pint-sized four-doors out. Needless to say, you could feel the swagger of the car at highway speeds. But in its defense, larger vehicles felt the wrath of Mother Nature’s blow, too.
While very affordable, the Micra isn’t “cheap” in execution. Even the knobs on the roll down windows have a soft touch to them. And there are metallic accents to break up the otherwise bland black interior. I certainly wasn’t disappointed when captaining the Micra. Even though that might sound like a backhanded compliment, it’s not. As far as small cars go, it’s functional, funky and has great value. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle that gets you from point A to B – minus all the options – or said vehicle with a few extras, the 2015 Micra might be the car for you. Summed up, the Micra is affordable transportation with amiable drivability, an easy-on-the eyes interior and overall a bubbly personality. alexandra.straub@drivewaybc.ca
Question of the Week: Alexandra Straub tests the back-to-basics 2015 Nissan Micra, with a starting sticker price under $10,000. Seems like a good second car option for many families; would you consider it as a possible first car? Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer…
?
QUESTION OF THE WEEK!
Safety Tip: It’s Bike to Work Week in B.C. and more and more people are taking up cycling as a commuting option. It’s important for cyclists to pay attention to vehicles turning at intersections. As a driver, before you or one of your passengers open a vehicle door, always check for oncoming cyclists.
Find more online at
DrivewayCanada.ca
Look for more driveway features and information online at
drivewayBC.ca