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BMW i3 (94Ah) vs Nissan Micra
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
Selected trimEngage 40kWhChange trim196 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on running costs, while the Nissan Micra leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Nissan Micra if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan Micra leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueNissan
BMW
3.5
Nissan
6.2
Motorway Range
BMW
3.3
Nissan
3.6
Too close to call
FamilyNissan
BMW
4.9
Nissan
6.1
ChargingNissan
BMW
3.5
Nissan
4.2
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
8.1
Nissan
6.9
City Driving
BMW
9.1
Nissan
8.9
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Nissan Micra
Engage 40kWh
- £10,075 cheaper
- 37 miles more WLTP range
- 66 litres more boot space
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | £22,995 (better) |
| Official range | 158 miles | 196 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 326 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Nissan Micra
Length
BMW i34,006mm-78mm
Nissan Micra4,084mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm-5mm
Nissan Micra1,780mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Nissan Micra1,530mm-68mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm (better) | 1,780 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,530 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare (better) | 620 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 326 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Nissan Micra
- Uses 143 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- One of 33 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  Nissan Micra Engage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.08m+78mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.78m+5mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.53m-68mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.58m+10mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 326L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg (better) | 1,400kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh | 40kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi | 196 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 80kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | £22,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,070 (not eligible) | £21,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles | 196 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 137 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 80 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km (better) | 143 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh | 40 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 9 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 90 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 225 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3
94Ah
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Nissan Micra
Engage 40kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i3
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Nissan Micra Engage 40kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users77%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan MicraEngage 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan Micra
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £10,075 over the Nissan Micra?
The BMW i3 costs £10,075 more than the Nissan Micra. For that premium it adds 35 kW more power and a 1.7s quicker 0-62mph time. The Nissan Micra is not just cheaper - it also offers 37 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and 66 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan Micra comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Nissan Micra?
The Nissan Micra is £10,075 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Nissan Micra comes out roughly £10,035 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 137 miles for the Nissan Micra - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan Micra goes roughly 34 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Nissan Micra?
The two are within 5 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3 and about 620 mm of total clearance for the Nissan Micra.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Nissan Micra?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Nissan Micra. That gives the Nissan Micra a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Nissan Micra's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
More Nissan Micra comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan Micra rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .