The Nissan Micra K13 has taken out third place in the Wheels Car of the Year Awards, behind the Volkswagen Polo and Renault Megane.

Nissan’s Micra made the magazine's top three finalist's stage with its low cost and great handling. As Wheels Magazine editor Bill Thomas said, "The Nissan Micra is the best car ever sold for under $13,000 in Australia.”

The judges loved Nissan's new 56kW DOHC three-cylinder engine, for its distinctive revvy character.The triple responds to enthusiastic driving; the harder you rev it and the quicker you shift gears, the better it becomes and the more impressive the handling and surprising grip can be exploited.

Where the Micra best succeeds is as a runabout. It's such an easy car to drive: light controls, excellent visibility, good brakes, and a comfortable ride, for a fine balance between low-speed compliance and higher-speed stability, without excessive body roll. Compared with similarly priced entry-level Korean and Japanese cars it truly sets new standards.

The judges liked the Micra's modern and exceptionally roomy, four-seater interior, especially in the Ti versions, with their classy circular climate control unit and LCD screen.

As an affordable $13K city car it's unrivaled, a near perfectly resolved and charming package.

For more information on the Micra, please click here.

Source: Wheels Magazine