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Is it a coincidence that the 2 chief auto reviewers for Canada's 2 biggest newspapers have both published 2016 Micra reviews in the last couple of weeks, focusing on the "cheapest" angle in their headlines? (See also: Nissan Micra, Canada's cheapest car: How many features can you live without?) Especially interesting considering there are no significant changes from the 2015 model to warrant fresh reviews.

Maybe Nissan pushed the cars out to media as part of a counter-offensive against the upstart Chevy Spark, which also included dropping the Micra's MSRP by $10 to re-take the "cheapest new car" crown from GM.

That makes it especially ironic, considering this front page Wheels review has a prominent Spark ad right below it!

Anyway, while Cheney drove a base S manual, Kenzie reviews a loaded SR automatic. He makes it an exercise in determining your "needs" (eg. the base S manual) from your "wants" (all those fancy pants options like air, auto, cruise, back-up camera which dramatically raise the price).

Pros:

- surprisingly good ride, handling
- easy to drive in the city
- cheapest in Canada

Cons:

- 4-sped automatic lags class leaders
- big price hike to get common options (auto, air)
- driver seat comfort * (see next post)
- below class leading power

Overall:

... the Micra is a worthy little car which might be the best value going, as long as you can keep your "wants" in check