Anyone remember the fourth-generation Nissan Micra?

No?

Unsurprising, really, as it was a car that took the bland baton and positively sprinted away with it. While the mkIII burst onto the supermini scene full of bug-eyed exuberance, its replacement appeared happy to hide in the shadows, unseen and, by and large, unloved.

Whether it was that anonymity or the shifting of production from Nissan’s Sunderland plant to factories in India, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico seven years ago that impacted on sales the figures tell a sobering tale. In 2003, when the third-generation model was introduced, European sales peaked at 171,000 cars. Ten years later that number had dipped below 50,000.

Nissan have clearly learned a lesson with the latest incarnation. Production has been moved, again, to Renault’s factory near Paris and the new model has been conceived with class leaders such as the Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza firmly in mind.

The styling is a world away from the previous model. It’s longer (174mm), wider and lower, and the .

It sits on the same platform as its predecessor but the wheelbase has been increased by 75mm, significantly improving passenger space, and the A-pillar is sited further forward to emphasise the sloping roofline.

Significant efforts have been made to improve structural rigidity and the suspension has been reworked with that goal very much in mind. A torsion beam, which improves stiffness, replaces the original twist beam, while at the front MacPherson struts are now solid-mounted to the front sub-frame.

On the electronic side, the Chassis Control system, consisting of Intelligent Ride and Intelligent Trace controls, utilise the brakes to unobtrusively enhance the car’s ride and handling.

It’s all change inside as well. The previous generation wasn’t only cursed with nondescript looks, the interior was also a creative wasteland but, beyond any doubt, Nissan’s big mistake was its choice of materials which looked, and felt, cheap and uninspiring.

Here, as well, the Japanese firm has clearly learned a very harsh lesson because the cabin is everything that the previous effort wasn’t. It’s bright, and colourful if you opt for one of the personalisation packs that adds splashes of either Power Blue, Energy Orange or Invigorating Red to the seat bolsters, door cards, knee pads and instrument panel, and there’s ample evidence of soft, tactile materials around the upper reaches of the dashboard.

Front seat passengers are blessed with a decent amount of space. The low-set seating position frees up a generous amount of headroom and the excellent ergonomics takes care of the rest. Things are not so promising in the rear, which most adults will find cramped despite the additional shoulder and elbow room.

Multimedia access is provided by the NissanConnect system. It’s simple to use thanks to the retention of physical shortcut buttons despite the use of a seven-inch touchscreen. The display is crisp and clear and the sat nav easy to program.

There are five trim levels – Visia, Visia+, Acenta, N-Connecta and and Tekna – with LED running lights front fog lights, auto lights and wipers, rear roof spoiler, front electric windows and door mirrors and 15-inch steel wheels standard issue on the base model. My test car, which sits at the other end of the scale the top-of-the-range Tekna includes synthetic leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and the excellent Bose Personal audio pack.

It also arrived with the 0.9 IG-T 90 three-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. It produces 89bhp and 140Nm of torque at a quite lofty 2,250rpm. It means that you have to work pretty hard to get the maximum out of the little motor. You’ll find yourself having to swap cogs more frequently than you would in most of the Micra’s rivals.

Fortunately all the controls are light and the gearbox has a nice, precise action, which makes the additional inputs required a little less wearisome. It also makes it a lot easier to tackle the congested streets of our towns and cities, where the Micra is at its most competent.

The ride can be a little jittery, and occasionally firm, but it’s refined at speed. The handling is secure, and consistent and body movement is nicely controlled, but it lacks a little sparkle. All the models get Active Ride, which applies the brakes over bumps to keep the car planted, and Active Trace Control, which helps maintain the car’s line through a bend by braking the inside wheel.

The Micra’s transformation from the last generation to this is like night and day. The new model is better in every department than the one it replaces. Gone are the bland looks, the low-rent interior and the underwhelming dynamics, replaced by sharper, more distinctive styling with more upmarket appeal, a higher grade, more thoughtful interior and better, if some way from stellar, ride and handling.

Certainly those buyers sent scurrying off in their thousands to rival manufacturers by the previous generation’s shortcomings would have little reason to do the same this time around, but the real question is, does the new Micra have enough to not only win back those disgruntled fans, but a whole legion of new ones?

It’s a tough ask, given just how competitive the supermini segment is, but this time around Nissan has produced a car that’s at least in with a shout.

Nissan Micra Tekna

Price: £17,870

As tested: £19,370

Engiine: 0.9l IG-T 90

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Max power: 89bhp

Max torque: 140Nm @ 2,250rpm

Max speed: 109mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 12.1secs

Urban: 48.7mpg

Extra urban: 72.4mpg

Combined: 61.4mpg

Emissions (CO2): 104g/km

For more information visit www.nissan.co.uk