The Nissan Note hasn’t been sold in the UK since 2017, but as there are still plenty of used examples in circulation, it’s a vehicle you may be considering if you’re looking for the compact, easy-to-park nature of a supermini, but enjoy the benefits of a taller roof and higher seating position.
If that all sounds a little unexciting, then that’s kind of the point - the Note is very much a pragmatic vehicle, but it’s good at what it does and ticks all the boxes you’d hope for, such as low running costs, a practical cabin, and high levels of standard equipment. And while it’s no sports car in the looks department, the design still looks fairly fresh, too.
If the Note’s characteristics sound familiar, then that’s because cars like the Honda Jazz, Ford B-Max and Vauxhall Meriva serve much the same purpose, though only the Jazz is still available new. There are plenty of options in the small SUV space too.
The first Nissan Note arrived in 2004 as part of an explosion of compact, supermini-sized cars with tall roofs, from the Honda Jazz to the Fiesta-based Ford Fusion, Renault Modus, and Vauxhall Meriva. It’s a sign of how far the market has moved on that few of the above exist any longer, and the Note is one of them, the second-generation model lasting from 2012 until 2017 in the UK.
However, as a used buy, there’s still a lot to like about the Nissan Note. What it lacks in style against Nissan’s own Juke - the kind of car that led to the Note’s demise - it makes up for in being pragmatically practical, with a spacious, upright cabin that works as well for small families as it does older folks who’ll appreciate the raised and easy-to-access seating position.
The cabin is a bit gloomy, and interior design has moved on rapidly since the Note was introduced, so the dashboard looks a bit old fashioned now and its 5.8-inch infotainment screen rather tiny. But there’s plenty of space, the 411-litre boot with the rear bench slid forward is well-sized (a Juke’s is slightly bigger at 422 litres, but it’s also not as spacious for passengers), and there’s good visibility. The hard plastics may feel a bit scratchy, but they’re put together well too.
The Note is also decent to drive, with direct steering and a nimble chassis, albeit one that doesn’t ride quite as smoothly as some rivals. The engine options don’t offer much performance on paper, but even the basic 1.2 is fine around town, and the supercharged 1.2 and turbocharged 1.5 diesel are both more than punchy enough for a car of this size - with the diesel being the choice for regular out of town trips. Economy is also good, though it’s worth noting that the Note’s quoted figures were on the old NEDC test cycle, which was criticised for being somewhat unrealistic in the real world.
There are some question marks about reliability, particularly around the CVT automatic gearbox, and it’s this that might tempt you into one of the Note’s rivals. The Honda Jazz, which is still offered today, is very reliable in contrast, and its interior is even more practical, while regular superminis such as the Ford Fiesta are better to drive.
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With even the newest Nissan Notes being several years old now, prices have softened to the point where there shouldn’t be much of a penalty for seeking out a higher-spec model. Acenta Premium trim is definitely worth it to benefit from its touchscreen infotainment system, though be warned, as an older vehicle, this doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration - though it should still pair with most smartphones for listening to music or making hands-free calls.
Engine-wise, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel is the pick of the bunch for its performance and economy, and as a Euro 6 unit, it still meets current ULEZ standards, at least for later models. Though if you mostly drive in town, the supercharged DIG-S petrol is still better suited.
Nissan Note 1.2: The entry-level Nissan Note engine was a 1.2-litre three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated and developing 80PS through a five-speed manual gearbox. It could cover 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds, and achieved 60.1mpg combined - albeit on the old NEDC fuel economy cycle, as the Note went off sale before WLTP became the standard method.
Nissan Note 1.2 DIG-S: Unusually, this 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine was actually supercharged, rather than the more common method of turbocharging. The result was 98PS, and 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds with the manual gearbox, 12.6 seconds with the CVT automatic. Economy was 65.7mpg for the manual, 55.4mpg for the CVT.
Nissan Note 1.5 dCi: The economy champ of the Note range, the Renault-sourced 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel had claimed economy of 78.5mpg with the standard five-speed manual gearbox. 0-62mph took 11.9 seconds.
Nissan Note trim levels should be familiar to anyone who has looked at a Nissan over the last decade or so, starting with a base-level Acenta trim, and rising up to a better-equipped Tekna model. The entry-level 1.2-litre engine was available only in the two Acenta grades, the manual 1.2 DIG-S and 1.5 dCi in Acenta Premium and Tekna, and the CVT variant of the 1.2 DIG-S came in all three trim lines.
The Nissan Note Acenta came as standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a leather steering wheel, heated mirrors, air conditioning, and a simple four-speaker audio system with USB and aux inputs.
The Nissan Note Acenta Premium upgraded the Acenta’s air conditioning to climate control, as well as adding automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, front fog lights, a 5.8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a six-speaker DAB audio system, plus a sliding rear bench for extra practicality.
The Nissan Note Tekna went up to 16-inch alloy wheels, while inside it got part-leather seats. The Tekna also got a few more driver assistance and safety features, including blind spot and lane departure warnings, and Around View Monitor, a camera system to help with parking.
The Nissan Note’s dimensions are:
Length: 4100mm
Width: 1695mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1535mm
Ground clearance: N/A
The Nissan Note’s boot size is:
325-411 litres
1495 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)
As the majority of Nissan Notes were registered before April 2017, most will be subject to the old VED or ‘road tax’ system of CO2-based taxation. Thankfully, because the Note is fairly economical in all its forms, helped by its economy figures being based on the generous NEDC testing procedure, all models are pretty cheap to tax. The 1.2 DIG-S manual and 1.5 dCi, both under 100g/km of CO2, won’t cost you a penny, while at 109g/km and 119g/km respectively, the 1.2 and the DIG-S with the CVT cost only £20 and £35 per year.
No Nissan Note should sting you too much on insurance costs. Throughout its 2012-2017 run the entire range could be found in groups 6-10 in the 1-50 group system, with lower-spec 1.2s at the lower end and the 1.2 DIG-S in Tekna spec at the top.