The world of electric cars has turned into a proper jungle, packed with shiny, silent machines all claiming to save your wallet and the planet. Today, we’re diving into a duel so close to a family feud you’d almost want to order a DNA test: the new Nissan Micra versus the Renault 5 E-Tech. Two cars that are technically siblings but still try to outshine each other with a mix of retro charm, modern tech, and a price tag that’ll either raise your eyebrows or make you nod in approval. Let’s jump in, with a tank full of petrol in our hearts, even though these machines run on pure electricity.
The Nissan Micra is back, and what a comeback! After a brief hiatus, it returns as a fully electric city car, and let’s be honest: it’s had one hell of a glow-up. Forget the dull, petrol-guzzling Micras of old, the ones parked in your gran’s garage. This sixth generation is a fresh, hip contender sharing its technical bones with the Renault 5 E-Tech. Both cars roll off the same production line in Renault’s ElectriCity factory in Douai, France, built on the AmpR platform. But where the Renault 5 flaunts its retro coolness, the Micra tries to carve out its own identity. And honestly? It pulls it off quite well.
Let’s start with the looks. The Micra’s design doesn’t leave you cold. Round LED headlights that wink at you when you unlock the car – yes, really, they do a little dance – and rear lights that look like they’re straight out of a sci-fi flick. Nissan calls the side profile an “ice cream scoop” because of a groove that supposedly mimics a scoop in a tub of ice cream. I don’t quite see it, but it gives the car a playful vibe. The Renault 5, on the other hand, leans hard into its ‘70s roots, with a boxy snout and a glowing “5” on the hood to show your charging status. It’s like the Renault is an old rockstar re-releasing its greatest hits, while the Micra is a new band covering the same songs with its own spin.
Inside, the differences become even clearer. Step into the Micra, and you’ll notice Nissan used the Renault 5 as a template. The dashboard is near-identical, with two 10.1-inch screens running Android Automotive, complete with Google Maps and a voice assistant you can call “Hey Reno” – though, thankfully, the Micra’s steering wheel sports a Nissan logo. But there are subtle distinctions. The Micra has a Mount Fuji relief in the storage tray, a cute nod to its Japanese roots, while the Renault 5 greets you with “5” logos and French flair. The Micra also offers something the Renault (for now) lacks: paddles behind the steering wheel to tweak regenerative braking and an e-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. It’s the kind of detail that makes a driver grin, especially when zipping through city streets without touching the accelerator.
Under the hood – or rather, under the floor – the two cars are almost twins. Both offer a choice between a 40 kWh battery (120 hp, 310-319 km range) and a 52 kWh battery (150 hp, 408-419 km range). The Micra edges out a slight win here, squeezing a tad more range from the same batteries as the Renault. Fast charging? The smaller battery handles 80 kW, the larger one 100 kW, and both go from 15 to 80 percent in half an hour. Handy when you’re in a rush and your coffee machine at home is out of juice. Oh, and both cars have a V2L function, meaning you can power your electric bike, barbecue, or even a karaoke machine with the battery. Because who doesn’t need a spontaneous karaoke session in the middle of nowhere?
Now, the big sticking point: price. In Belgium, the Micra starts at €29,250 for the 120 hp version (Engage) and €34,450 for the 150 hp version (Advance). The Renault 5? It kicks off at €24,900 for a 95 hp version with the 40 kWh battery, with the comparable 120 hp version at €27,900. The 150 hp version with the 52 kWh battery starts at €30,900. That makes the Micra about €1,350 to €1,550 pricier across the board. Why? Nissan points to an extended warranty – up to 10 years if you service it at their dealership – and a “more feminine” look. Yes, that’s an actual quote from Nissan, and I’m not sure whether to laugh or bang my head on the steering wheel. What they mean is the Micra has softer, rounder lines than the angular Renault, but let’s be real: that doesn’t justify an extra grand and a half.
Then there’s the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, an electric hothatch with 540 hp set to arrive in 2027 for a cool €155,000. That’s a different beast altogether, and frankly irrelevant here, since the Micra has no sporty Nismo version (though I’m secretly hoping one’s in the works). For most buyers, it’s the standard models that matter, and here the Renault has a trump card: the 95 hp entry-level version, which the Micra lacks. That makes the Renault more accessible for those on a tight budget but still craving an electric city car with bags of character.
So, which one to pick? The Renault 5 is the cheaper, charismatic rockstar with a retro vibe that appeals to everyone. The Micra is the slightly pricier, more refined sibling with a few extra tricks, like the e-Pedal and that longer warranty. If you’ve got a Nissan dealer nearby and love those round headlights, the Micra might be your thing. But if budget is king and you’re smitten by French charm, the Renault 5 is hard to beat. Both cars shine in their playfulness and practicality – 326 liters of boot space, expandable to 1,106 liters – but the Renault has just a smidge more personality.
One thing’s for sure: these twin brothers make electric city cars sexy again. They’re compact, nimble, and packed with tech, without forcing you to sell a kidney. And honestly? In a world where cars increasingly look alike, it’s refreshing to see two models that seem to have fun doing what they do.
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