The Nissan Note is a good combination of value and quality. It’s a multi-purpose hatchback with a lot of technological features to assist you drive. This car aims you experience fun of a subcompact car with the practicality of a SUV, at low costs. Its neatest trick is how the rear seats fold and slide forward to create more room for goods.
Three Nissan Note Generations
Nissan introduced the Note in 2004 as a five-door hatchback in both FWD and AWD layouts. The first generation only made it in Japan and Europe. It was marketed in other worldly regions from the second generation. But it sold under a different name in the USA – Nissan Versa.
- Nissan Note (2004-2012). Cars include an option of four engines: 4L and 1.6L petrol-powered; and two choices 1.5L diesel-run. Transmission was 4-speed automatic, or 5-speed manual.
- Nissan Note (2013-2019). Models include a revised list with a choice of four engines: 1.2L petrol, 1.2L (hybrid version), 1.5L turbodiesel, and 1.6L petrol (only in the USA). Transmission is; 5-speed manual, CVT, or hybrid.
- Nissan Note (2020-Present). Model is strictly hybrid both for FWD and AWD. The engine is powered by a 1.2L petrol engine tied with a single speed transmission.
Fuel Economy
Nissan Note running on CVT earns a gas mileage estimate of 16 kilometers per one liter. This is an average of driving around the city/highway at 15km/19km, respectively.
Cars with a manual transmission will average 14km/L combined – city/highway: 12km/16km.
High Acceleration, Dull Performance
The Nissan Note’s suspension system helps it cruise over road imperfections in a composed manner at any speed. The base 3-cylinder engine of 1.2L provides pretty good fuel economy especially when supercharged. To disengage supercharge when not needed, just depress the clutch.
This 1.2L engine takes 11.8 seconds to gain a speed of 100km. But the CVT-enabled is quite slow at 12.6 seconds.
The 1.5Lturbodeiesel engine is a champion in fuel economy and takes 11.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km. It’s the most recommended engine because of its power – twice as much of the1.2L petrol engine.
Power transmission is restricted to a 5-speed manual or CVT. Both affect performance by limiting speed. Though the 5-speed manual gearbox feels more natural than CVT.
Lovely Exterior
The current Nissan Note is a five-door hatchback with a more mature look evidenced by sleek curves and lines. Summing up the elegant exterior are 15-inch alloy wheels and an improved headlight design.
Nissan Note’s five trim levels are: Tekna, Acenta, Acenta Limited Edition, Acenta Black Edition, and Acenta Premium.
Decent Cabin, Huge Boot
This five-seat car’s practicality is noticed by starting from the back. Loading and offloading heavy baggage has never been easier due to the flat entry floor.
The floor is also movable so there is a huge amount of space for the spare wheel or valuable goods. Better yet, this car has the largest boot in the subcompact class when you slide the passenger seat forward.
Front view is all-round with good visibility. Unfortunately for tall drivers, the steering wheel only moves in or out and the seat can’t be adjusted for height.
Standard features include: an infotainment screen, Bluetooth, cruise control function and other solid buttons alongside a curved dashboard.
Safety Features
Standard features include:
- Child safety latches.
- 360 degree rearview camera.
- Traction control and lane departure alert.
- Brake assist.
- AWD anti-lock brake system (ABS).
- Six airbags: driver, passenger, front head, rear head, front side, and rear side.
Advanced Features:
- Blind spot monitor.
- Adaptive cruise control.
- Rear cross traffic warning.
Pros
- Firm suspension system.
- Roomy, practical, and comfortable.
- Driver assistance technology makes driving easy.
Cons
- Not designed for long drives.
- CVT limits maximum performance.
Final Thought on Nissan Note
The diesel engine is highly recommended for its higher power. But the engine gets loud with a gain in speed unless it’s paired with a manual transmission. Close to the diesel engine is the supercharge 1.2L that will also return a satisfactory gas mileage.
Bearing this data in mind, this car is not expected to embark on long journeys. So it’s only fit for daily commuting around town. It’s an excellent ride for the youth or transportation purposes as in Uber.
Nissan Note for sale in Kenya
Nissan Note for sale 2013 model