The original Micra (chassis name K10) was introduced onto the Japanese market in October 1982 as a challenger to the Honda City, Daihatsu Charade, Suzuki Cultus, and Toyota Starlet.

[4][citation needed] It was introduced in the European market in June 1983, and in Canada in 1984 for the 1985 model year (replacing the slightly larger Nissan Pulsar hatchbacks).

The Japanese market saw the debut of the first Micra Turbo/MA10ET, where Nissan grafted a turbocharger and added electronic fuel injection to the small 1.0 L engine.

Both this and the 1988 Micra R (EK10FR) featured the same highly advanced sequential compound charged (supercharger plus turbocharger) engine in an all-aluminium straight-four 930 cc eight-valve MA09ERT unit that produced 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 6400 rpm.

[10] A diesel version was offered with the 1.5 L PSA TUD market in Europe as Micra 1.5 D. Continuously variable transmission and power steering was an option on some models The equipment list also included safety features not usually available in this market segment: a toughened safety-cage and side-impact door beams were standard and pre-tensioning seat-belts and a driver's air-bag were optional.

Airbags, antilock brakes, electric windows, central locking and air conditioning were as either standard equipment or options on some models in the Micra range.

In Greece, a hot hatch version was developed to compete with the massively successful Peugeot 106 Rallye and Fiat Punto GT.

In the UK and Europe over, the K11 Micra's cheap and reliable nature would lend itself to both civilian and motorsport application, but it would find great success many years on in both its home and export markets.

Coupled with its cheap secondhand pricing and the cheap aftermarket parts, small size and good fuel economy, the car has become a near permanent feature on the roads of Ibadan (Often appearing in a cream over burgundy colour scheme) The next version of the Micra, the K12, was unveiled in production form at the 2002 Paris Motor Show,[20] following the lines of the Nissan mm.e concept car presented the year before at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

[45] In October 2013, Top Gear magazine placed the Micra C+C on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years", on the basis that "If you need us to justify its inclusion here, you are not only reading the wrong mag [...] As much fun as sticking chilli-infused toothpicks in your eyes.

The only factory option was the City Collection pack, which included an upgraded six-disc sound system, six-spoke alloy wheels, and side and curtain airbags.

In the end of 2011 Nissan introduced the supercharged version of 1.2 (HR12DDR) called in Europe as Micra 1.2 DIG-S[72] and the other engine 1.5 (HR15DE) and 1.6 (HR16DE) for the South American, Asian and Australian markets.

[109] Changes to the Nissan Micra include new exterior styling front and rear (new grille with Nissan badge 'held' within a chromed extended V-shaped motif, new bonnet, wings, headlamps and front bumper; front fog lamps and chrome surround, a new bumper, new LED tail lamps and a new infill panel at the bottom of the tailgate), new 15-inch alloy wheel design (optional machine-finished 16-inch alloy wheels), instrument graphics ahead of the driver have been improved for greater clarity, a new centre console with restyled air vents, gloss black finish on the centre console, a silver look to the gear selector finisher, textured door armrests, new seat and door pad fabrics.

RXZ models is equipped with dual airbags, automatic climate control, engine start/stop button, lock/unlock sensing, folding outside rear-view mirrors, etc.

This version adds lemon yellow elements to the lower area of both bumpers and the side doors, in conjunction with a Gunmetal Grey paintjob, the only colour available, and with the 17-inch wheels which also have a darker tone [133] The Kiiro is based on the Micra Acenta model, fitted with the 999 cc HR10DET/HRA0 turbo i3.

The stereo includes twin nearfield speakers built into the headrest on the driver's seat and PersonalSpace controls for fine tuning the audio.

Class leading performance, a surprisingly dynamic chassis with well sorted suspension, roomy interior and above average build quality were the Micra's strengths in comparison to its Korean competitors like the Hyundai Excel, Daewoo Cielo and Ford Festiva.

A poor exchange rate between the UK and Australia meant the Micra's pricing was rather steep and Australian buyers saw the cheaper Koreans and more established Japanese-sourced superminis, such as the Suzuki Swift and Daihatsu Charade, as offering better value for money.

[139] The company revealed the car's starting price of C$9,998 for the base, 5-speed manual transmission model at the 2014 Canadian International Auto Show in February.

The SV style package adds 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a body-coloured rear spoiler with LED centre high-mounted stop light.

The SR model, being the higher-end trim, adds a rear spoiler and side skirts, giving it a more sporty appearance, as well as the addition of fog lights, a glossy centre console dash, a 4.3-inch (109 mm) colour display audio system with a reverse camera and a USB port, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a chrome exhaust finisher, and 16-inch aluminum black-painted alloy wheels.

Notable differences included rounded headlights and taillights, a distinctive front end, along with a chrome and faux wood trimmed interior.

This stylish, all-new Micra helped Nissan bolster its market share of the supermini sector, which had been declining in the final year or two of its predecessor's life.

An Auto Express survey revealed that of the 340,000 K10 Micras registered in the UK between 1983 and 1992, 96,000 were still on the road – nearly 30%, an impressive figure for a car which had been out of production for 14 years.

In 2007, with the Micra K12C, the model grades were brought into line with the rest of the Nissan UK range, namely Visia, Acenta, Tekna, 160 SR and Active Luxury.

The K12 model has received consistently good reviews, with the main criticisms being limited rear seat head room and luggage space.

[174] In 2005, the UK motor insurance research expert Thatcham introduced a standard for keyless go, requiring the device to be inoperable at a distance of more than 10 cm from the vehicle.

In an independent test, the Micra was found to be the most secure, while certain BMW and Mercedes models failed, being theoretically capable of allowing cars to be driven away while their owners were refuelling.

[176] In Mexico, the Nissan March has been a commercial success because of its affordable price at $150,800, compact dimensions ideal for city driving, and low maintenance and ownership costs.

[179] Nissan first entered the Micra in motorsports with the March Superturbo R. Introduced in 1987, this rare pre-facelift K10 weighed in at 740 kg (1,631 lb) with half interior, roll cage and tool kit.