Renault 5 and Nissan Micra: Which of the small EV siblings would suit you?
Renault and Nissan each make their own version of the same stylish small EV but which is best?
Fundamentally, the Nissan Micra and Renault 5 are identical under the skin, but Nissan has done a good job of differentiating its supermini. The only external parts that are identical between the two cars are the windscreen and roof, but with the pair lined up side-by-side, the contrast black roof of the Renault helped it appear less chunky than the Nissan.
Elsewhere lots of clever changes to the Micra’s exterior mean you can almost forget that the two cars are related. While the R5 uses oblong shapes that hark back to Renault’s OG supermini, the Micra instead takes inspiration from Nissan’s back catalogue. Oversized circular LED daytime running lights frame the nose, while the black bands across them house the tiny rectangular headlights.
All of the important sheet metal has been changed, too, with radiused wheel openings instead of the Renault’s pseudo-boxed arches, and the door skins have been revised with simpler surfacing and a distinctive gloss-black plastic section that runs through the doors. All Micras come with one of three 18-inch wheel designs. The most distinctive, in our opinion, are actually the plastic wheelcovers fitted to the entry-level model, which mimic the wheels of the Nissan Leaf.
Both cars have a distinctive black bar that joins the light units, but the Micra’s circular design again stands out. They don’t light completely at night, but are split between the running lights, indicators and reversing lamps. Both makers offer a range of bright colours and contrasting roof finishes, but the Rebel Red and Authentic Blue offered by Nissan aren’t available on the Renault, which has Pop Yellow and Pop Green options.
There are some technical changes, too. The Micra’s new body panels and bumpers mean it’s a little larger in every direction, while it offers a longer overall range when compared with the R5. Nissan says that’s because the Micra has more aerodynamic bodywork. On the road, the two models drive very similarly, which really isn’t a surprise when you learn that they use the same suspension settings. Nissan did have input on the set-up ahead of production, though.
Inside, the differences are minimal, but the vivid yellow and grey fabric upholstery of our Renault 5 certainly helps to give the cabin a lift when compared with the Nissan. The Micra has the same seat design, it’s just that our test car’s coverings were finished in plain black. At least that means the upholstery will be easier to keep clean.
Elsewhere, Nissan has taken the philosophy that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The touchscreen and dashboard layout remains unchanged from the Renault 5, but it’s easy to get along with. There is a Micra graphic for drive modes and car configuration on the main screen to help differentiate the Micra’s set-up from the Renault’s at least.
Renault and Nissan’s small EVs are the same but different, offering tweaked takes on the convincing small electric car formula. Neither is short on style and if you’re struggling to make your mind up, this feels like a good moment to throw the Alpine A290 in as another spanner in the works…
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