Sector: Supermini Price: £9,950–£15,050 Fuel: 56.5–68.9mpg CO2: 95–125g/km

After just three years, the Micra has had a substantial facelift, gaining new rear lights and removing the bug-eyed front end. It's a lot more masculine looking; more purposeful and less cutesy. Yet, despite these changes, and a new palette for the paintwork, there’s little to endear it to the fashionista.

The revised cabin is unlikely to win any design awards either. For sure, it feels a different place to be sat than the previous model, but it’s still so drab and so uninspiring, only becoming slightly more joyful as the trim levels increase.

Nissan is taking orders now for delivery in September, with the entry-level Visia starting the pricing off at £9,950. It may seem relatively inexpensive, but the interior at this price feels pretty basic. Go up a trim level, to the £11,550 Acenta, and things become a little more interesting. It too comes with the Visia’s Bluetooth and USB connectivity, electric front windows, remote central locking and six airbags as standard, but this time alloys are added, as are climate and cruise control and a leather-bound steering wheel. 

Move further on up, to the range-topping Tekna, at £12,950, and parking sensors, keyless entry, NissanConnect navigation and infotainment system, a 5.8-inch colour monitor, plus Google Send-to-Car mapping, allowing for a route to be downloaded from an iPad or PC, are added.

The chassis and all mechanical parts have been lifted straight out of the previous model, so it’s the same choice of 1.2-litre petrol engine; a naturally aspirated three-cylinder which produces 79bhp, or the supercharged 97bhp version. Both claim impressive efficiency figures, with the standard 1.2-litre emitting 115g/km of CO2, and a fuel economy of 57mpg.

The supercharged is even more efficient, boasting emissions of 95g/km and an average fuel consumption of 68.9mpg. Both engines come as standard with five-speed manual box, but a CVT is an optional extra offered to each.