Overview

With so much choice, deciding on what’s best for you can be a tedious task. And the Nissan Micra has only added to the confusion. AUTO BILD INDIA decided to clear the air

It’s a known fact, the more choice you have, the more confused you get. So, if you are in the market to buy a hatchback, you must feel like a five-year-old given a free run in a massive toy store; undecided on which one toy you most certainly must have.

The Nissan Micra has done little to clear this confusion. It seems like a great buying proposition on paper, but then there’s the upmarket Polo and the superb value for money Figo to choose from as well; two cars which are on top of their respective categories.

But, in terms of pricing, it’s the Polo Comfortline and not the Highline that competes with the top-of-the-line Micra XV. As for the Figo, we have included the most expensive petrol version in the market, the Figo Titanium. Even so, it’s still much cheaper to buy than the other two. So, should you buy one? Or does the loaded Micra make more sense? Or maybe the upmarket Polo is the better bet? To clear this confusion, we put the three head-to-head.

Exterior & Interior

Interiors are well built but the design isn't great. It has more equipment than the Polo though

The ride and handling is similar to the VW, nonetheless

Looks might be subjective, but here, each car exhibits a distinctly different character. The Polo is young and racy, the Micra adorable and the Figo old-school. Inside too, the Ford's general stance is far from contemporary. It’s decently put together but lacks the fl air and wellness factor that the Micra possess. The Nissan’s light coloured and rounded insides, not to mention unique design elements, make it very attractive.

Wish it felt better built though. The large gaps between trims and panels on the insides leave the build quality looking substandard. The Polo's build quality meanwhile is best among hatchbacks. It also has an aura of a larger, more expensive car. It makes you smile every time you step inside or use its tight and crisp functioning switches.

Micra insides nice looking and best equipped. Quality though could be better

Micra is most at home at slow speeds. Go fast and it begins to roll and pitch

But, it lacks equipment. The Micra though packs in so much of the same for the same price, it makes you wonder if VW is actually taking its buyers for a ride. There's the customary power windows and stereo and airbags and ABS on the Micra, in addition, it gets a proper climate control system, a trip computer, electrically powered ORVMs that also come with a fold function. All of which (barring power windows), is missing on the VW. The Micra’s party trick though is its keyless entry and start feature, which is exclusive to the Nissan. The Figo, which is much cheaper packs in more stuff than the Polo as well, but falls short compared to the Micra. The lack of climate control, ORVM auto fold, rear power windows and keyless start being the most obvious.

The Figo does get ahead of the Micra come comfort. To begin with, the Ford is more spacious, particularly at the rear. It has larger, more supportive rear seats and has a more sorted ride quality, all of which adds to comfort. The Figo like the Polo manages to iron out most bumps, potholes as well as road joints and undulations better than the Micra. Very little is transmitted into the cabin at slower and medium speeds. Even at higher speeds, these remain well composed no matter what surface.

The best built and most plush insides, but sadly there's not much equipment

Polo is equally good on smooth and broken surfaces at slow speed and high

The Micra only rides well when the going is slow. Its suspension’s soft setup and relatively long travel, helps it fight off bumps and potholes. But, pick up speed and it moves about a lot more (roll and pitch) and if the bump or pothole is slightly pronounced, it crashes into them with an ugly thud that can be felt inside the cabin quite clearly.

Having poorly designed rear seats only makes things worse for the Micra. Now, the Nissan isn’t short on space at the rear, at least not as disappointingly cramped as the Polo. But, with the seats being too close to the floor, these offer no thigh support at all making them uncomfy over longer distances. Front seats are better, but again, aren’t the most comfortable. That honour goes to the Polo. Seats on the VW are big and well bolstered and along with a steering that’s adjustable for both reach and rake, it has the best driving position too. The Figo, like the Micra, could do with better front seats and addition of an adjustable steering, would help matters further.

Engine & Gearbox

Ford Figo 4-cylinder Ford engine is refined and rev happy. It needs more poke though

If you like driving, the Polo and the Figo emerge as better choices, again. Both have better steering; the Figo’s offering more feedback and the Polo’s being lighter to use. Response on both is quicker and more predictable than the Nissan too. The latter's steering feels a tad vague around the centre, but it weighs up more and behaves more linearly once you dial some lock. The Micra can't compete with the Ford and the VW come handling, either. It rolls more and its responses, be it around a bend or while changing lanes, are lazier. Between the Polo and the Figo though, the VW feels more alive.

Nissan Micra Micra's 3-cylinder engine has subdued vibes at idle. It's also most efficient

Not so when it comes to the engines. The Polo's engine which is loud and clattery like a diesel at idle, is the least impressive here. It isn't as driveable as the other two and is also the least effi cient. The Figo's, even though slowest in a straightline, is more refi ned. It also loves to be revved hard and is more enjoyable than the Polo's. It also has impressive gearshifts.

Volkswagen Polo 3-cylinder Polo engine is more vibey and loud. It's also the least efficient

The Micra's gear shift quality in comparison is notchy and not very enjoyable. But, it's engine, though not very refi ned (it gets quite raucous past 4,000rpm), is the most potent here. And along with the car's light weight it helps the car post the best performance and fuel effi ciency.

Dimensions

Scorecard & Verdict

Ford Figo- The Figo is a spacious hatchback that's also comfortable and fun to drive. It's also very affordable.

Nissan Micra- It's well equipped and is for those looking to stand out in a crowd. Could be more comfy and fun to drive.

Volkswagen Polo - Not the best equipped, but the Polo has a strong feel good factor to it, which is enticing.

Scorecard

Body: If you are looking for a spacious car, the Figo fi ts the bill. It also sports the most safety features in the Titanium trim. Micra isn't short on space either, but it has a smaller boot and the quality too could have been better. Although the Polo is a class apart on the quality front, it's short on rear space.

Drive: The engine capacities of the three cars might be similar, but the Micra's unit clearly shines the brightest. It delivers the best acceleration. And the fuel economy too is superb. It could do with a better shifting gearbox though; the 'box is reasonably precise, but is too notchy and requires effort to use.

Comfort: Comfort is one area where the Micra falls behind quite significantly. It loses out on ride quality, seating comfort and it's also louder inside the cabin compared to the Figo and the Polo. But, it does offer the most comprehensive comfort equipment list among hatchbacks.

Dynamics: The Figo and the Polo are at par as products though both score in different areas. The Micra, as our Test Results indicate falls, behind even though it is the best equipped and the most efficient as it struggles to deliver on comfort, handling and quality, among others.

Cost: The Polo and the Figo might be equally good products, but after adding the score for costs, the Figo emerges as the better buy. The Polo offers better warranty, but the Figo is significantly cheaper to buy. Micra fails to score well on either aspects.

Verdict

The Micra might be the quickest and most efficient car in this test, and it might have an elaborate equipment list including a few unique features like keyless start. But, as an everyday car it isn't the most comfortable or the most dynamic or involving. It also has an average gearbox and it's not exactly very affordable either. Moreover, as our Scorecard indicates, the Polo and the Figo are certainly better products.

And when we add cost into the equation, it’s clear, the Figo’s much lesser pricing and the Micra's less than average warranty ensure that the Figo wins this test and the Micra brings up the rear. So, if it's showoff you want like a smart key fob for keyless entry and start and a hint of flashy styling, buy the Micra, because the other two cars can't deliver on these counts. For every other reason, the Figo is the car to buy.