Let’s face it – following its first appearance in 2004, the Nissan Note wasn’t exactly the most popular car in the lot. It was boxy, underwhelming and far from an exciting innovation. However, during the last ten years, the Japanese brand has learned from their mistakes and the 2014 update of the Nissan Note is making its name in the market. This mini MPV is bigger than ever and offers more options than the majority of cars in its segment – so how does it hold up? Find out in today’s Nissan Note review.
Original image by Tino Rossini
Design
Like we said, Nissan has learned from past mistakes. The arguably bland look of the original Nissan Note was what turned a lot of buyers away – and the 2014 Note has seen an array of welcome updates. Sporty new headlights and vertical lines along the bodywork help the car to look infinitely less boxy. And by making the sides of the car a lot more muscular and squat, the height of the car (which is virtually unchanged) is a lot less awkward.
In fact, at first glance, the new Nissan Note looks like a regular supermini – that is, until you climb inside. If there ever was a car on where the phrase ‘it’s bigger on the inside’ applied, the new Note is it. Despite being the same size as a VW Polo or Ford Fiesta, the amount of space inside this car is incredible. We’re talking 3ft of back seat legroom incredible. Add to that the massive 411 litre boot and you truly have a multi-purpose vehicle.
Performance
And cavernous space and practicality isn’t all the Nissan Note has to offer – it’s also very economical. All the engines come equipped with stop-start technology to keep fuel use down. The entry level engine is a 1.2-litre petrol that will get you 60.1mpg and 79bhp – but if you fancy a bit more punch, you can opt for the supercharged DIG-S 1.2-litre instead and get 65.7mpg and 98bhp. Still not efficient enough for you? There’s a 1.5-litre diesel available too, which returns a hefty 65.7mpg with 89bhp. It’s worth noting that these last two engines are exempt from road tax due to their low CO2 emissions – making this a mighty fine MPV that saves you money.
Features
The interior of the Nissan Note has seen a major overhaul and is now a seriously classy affair. The curved dashboard looks a lot more upmarket than you’d expect in this price range, and is complimented by black gloss panelling and beautiful dials on the console. And, last but not least, the new Nissan Note comes with a ton of optional equipment too. No matter what version of the car you choose, you’re guaranteed Bluetooth and cruise control.
Original image by Kārlis Dambrāns
Nissan clearly set out to create the most practical car in this segment and has truly gone above and beyond. If you need an efficient, reliable and incredibly practical car, look no further than the Nissan Note. The entry price for the limited edition Nissan Note Visia starts at £9,995, making this MPV one seriously worthwhile investment.
Need some help financing your Nissan Note? The Car Loan Warehouse can help. Our dedicated team of car finance specialists can find a Nissan finance plan that suits your needs and budget. Head on over to our Nissan Finance page to get started – or use our car loan calculator to get an instant quote today.
