A new design, a new platform jointly developed with Renault, and a new choice of engines made the 2003 Nissan Micra 5-doors a good city vehicle.
The third generation of Nissan Micra was unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. It was slightly longer than its predecessor but featured a longer wheelbase as well. It was based on the Renault-Nissan alliance B-platform, developed for small and compact-sized vehicles and used by the Tiida/Versa and Renault Megan as well.

The rounded shape of the vehicle was made to attract mostly women customers. Its headlights were mounted high and back, to be protected from parking scratches and minor crashes. Due to its shape, it offered great visibility for the driver. In the back, the oversized bumper was designed with the same purpose: to avoid costly repairs after a minor parking accident. The taillights were installed high and deep enough to be protected in the event of a small incident.

Inside, the Micra was surprisingly spacious and it offered plenty of storage areas in the cabin. It was fitted with front plain seats and a bench for two adults in the rear, or three children. The trunk was limited, but the split-folding rear bench seatback could extend the luggage area up to 584 l (20.62 cu-ft).

For the engine compartment, the Micra was offered with a choice of three gasoline and two diesel engines, mated to a standard 5-speed manual. A 4-speed automatic was available for selected markets and versions.