1983 Nissan March (K10) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the Nissan March (K10) ranges approximately between 730 kg and 770 kg (1,610 to 1,698 lbs), depending on the specific trim and market version. This lightweight design positively influences its performance, enabling nimble handling and quick acceleration for a car in its class. Additionally, the modest weight contributes significantly to its excellent fuel efficiency, making it an economical option for everyday commuting and city driving where lower fuel consumption is a key consideration.

Despite its compact exterior, the Nissan March (K10) offers fairly efficient use of interior space. Passenger headroom is approximately 995 mm (39.2 inches) in the front and around 950 mm (37.4 inches) in the rear seats, providing adequate comfort for average-height adults. Legroom is sufficient for a subcompact car, generally allowing front passengers about 1,050 mm (41.3 inches) and rear passengers approximately 850 mm (33.5 inches). While not overly spacious, the interior accommodates four adults reasonably well for urban and short-distance trips.

The Nissan March (K10) offers modest cargo capacity typical of a hatchback of its size. With all seats in place, the trunk volume is approximately 150 liters (5.3 cubic feet), suitable for grocery shopping or small luggage. Folding the rear seats down increases cargo space, allowing for a flatter loading area and additional volume, though exact expanded capacity can vary depending on model specifics. This flexibility makes it practical for daily errands or light transport tasks despite its compact size.

The Nissan March (K10) is the first generation of the March series, introduced in 1982, so it effectively has no predecessor in this lineup to compare. However, compared to similar earlier compact cars Nissan produced, the K10 was designed to be more efficient in space utilization with a slightly smaller footprint, improved aerodynamics, and more modern styling. This generation set the benchmark for subsequent models in terms of combining compact size with practical interior space.

Yes, the Nissan March (K10) is compact enough to fit comfortably into a standard residential garage. With an overall length of approximately 3,390 mm (133.5 inches or about 11.1 feet) and width of around 1,505 mm (59.3 inches or roughly 4.9 feet), it leaves ample space for easy parking and maneuvering within most garage environments, which typically accommodate vehicles up to about 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length and around 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) wide. Its height of approximately 1,385 mm (54.5 inches) also ensures compatibility with most garage door openings.

When compared to other popular 1980s city hatchbacks such as the Honda City, Toyota Starlet, and Suzuki Swift, the Nissan March (K10) generally offered similar length and width dimensions but was known for efficient interior space and light weight. Its dimensions favored easy urban maneuverability, while its hatchback design provided reasonably flexible cargo space. Practicality-wise, it balanced compact footprint with comfortable seating for four, making it competitive within the subcompact class of the time, prized for low running costs and suitability in congested cities.

The Nissan March (K10) features a wheelbase of approximately 2,220 mm (87.4 inches). This relatively short wheelbase contributes to its agile handling and responsiveness in tight urban environments, enhancing maneuverability in city traffic. While a shorter wheelbase can sometimes reduce ride smoothness over rough surfaces, the K10's suspension was tuned to balance comfort and control. Additionally, the compact wheelbase translates to a smaller overall footprint, so interior space optimization was crucial, and Nissan achieved reasonable passenger accommodation within these constraints.

The Nissan March (K10) measures about 1,505 mm (59.3 inches) in width and 1,385 mm (54.5 inches) in height. The relatively narrow width aids in navigating tight city streets and fitting into small parking spaces, but can feel slightly less spacious inside compared to wider vehicles. The height allows for sufficient headroom and visibility, contributing to a comfortable driving position. Despite its small stature, the car's proportions provided adequate road presence for its class, making it easily recognizable and practical for urban driving scenarios.

The Nissan March (K10) laid the foundational design principles with its compact hatchback form, prioritizing urban usability and economy. Compared to its successors, the K10 was smaller and lighter, with more basic styling and fewer luxury features. Later generations generally saw increases in overall dimensions — length, width, and height — to improve passenger comfort and safety, along with more advanced technology and refinement. The K10 remains notable for its simplicity and focus on efficient space use in a small package, characteristics that appealed to early buyers looking for affordable city transportation.