​You don’t need to look too closely before you’ll spot that a Renault 5 and the new Nissan Micra are very closely related. But there are small differences which might make the difference to you and make you prefer the one over the other. 

We got out the brochures and price lists to make notes and then got the two cars side by side to compare how they look, feel and drive. Here’s what we found.

Styling

While they are clearly based on the same shell and many panels are shared, the Micra and R5 do look quite different. The Renault obviously harks back to classic models with the vertically stacked rear lights and rectangular headlamps. There are also square daytime running lights and the bonnet has an illuminated battery charge meter.

Nissan’s stylists have tried to make the Micra more cutesy, with huge round elements to around the lights at the front and rear. There is no charge meter, but there is a crease along the side shoulder and extra cladding which makes the car look slightly more SUV-esque. Which one you prefer will be a matter of taste, but the Renault does look like a more cohesive design in our eyes. Oddly though, the different bumpers mean the Micra is a fraction longer at 3,999mm versus 3,922mm.

Mechanicals 

This is where you might imagine the Micra and Renault could differ, with engineers adding a distinctive character to the way the cars drive to better reflect the brand’s personalities. But no – they are identical. 

Both use either 40kWh or 52kWh batteries with 11kW AC or 100kW DC charging, but oddly the Micra is marginally more efficient, with 198 miles for the 40kWh and 260 miles for the 52kWh, compared with 194 and 255 miles. 

This could be because of the aerodynamics, or possibly as the result of regenerative braking paddles, which are not currently available in the Renault 5 but are fitted to the Nissan. 

The suspension and steering settings are supposed to be the same, but driving the two back-to-back make us feel that the Nissan feels more relaxed in the way it delivers power while the Renault feels a little more urgent. It could just be in our imagination though. 

Interior

The interiors are obviously related, the Micra’s trim is a little more muted, the design of the infotainment is different and the ‘5’ logos are replaced in places by a picture of Mount Fuji.  

Both the 5 and Micra have a 10-inch screen on most models, but the lower-spec Renault has a smaller 7-inch display.

There are other small changes too, like the Micra is missing map pockets in the seat back and the gear selector has a black rather than clear button.

More important for many buyers will be the availability of heated seats on the mid-spec model. Renault only allows then to be fitted to top trim levels, but the Micra Advance has an option of a Cold pack for £500 which packages up heated front seats and a steering wheel warmer. 

Prices

Both cars have a starting price of £21,495, which includes the £1,500 government's electric car grant. Move up to the 52kWh battery and you get the bigger £3,750 incentive, which brings the bizarre scenario for the Nissan where the bigger battery car is £250 cheaper if you are looking at the mid-level Advance.

Nissan have been a bit sneaky though and fiddled around with the PCP finance rates so the bigger battery car has a higher interest rate and costs more per month. As a result, the mid range 52kWh Engage is £371 per month on an 8,000 miles three year deal with £1,500 deposit. That’s at a steep 7.99% APR. 

The Renault has an additional trim level, offering Evolution, Techno, Iconic, and Roland Garros. There is also the Alpine A290 if you want to go sporty.

The mid-range Techno+ is £600 more than the equivalent Nissan but on a PCP it is cheaper at  £348 per month on the same terms, mainly due to a 6.9% interest rate. Renault is also being very aggressive in the lease deals – so will usually be cheaper. 

Which is best – the Renault 5 or Nissan Micra?

Unless you hate the Renault’s looks, really want heated seats or have a relation working in the local Nissan dealer it is impossible to see how the Micra has any advantage. But as always it will pay to have a look for special deals which might mean the Nissan is suddenly cheaper on a cracking finance offer or cut price sale.