Nissan Note (2006–2013)

Last updated 16 March 2019

Video Road Test

Driving

Where it scores over mini MPVs like the Renault Modus (with which it shares its floorpan) is that, like the Jazz, it isn't tall enough to upset its handling. I thought it steered and handled better than the Renault Clio (with which it also shares its floorpan), and while some people have criticised the ride quality I thought that was fine too.

I deliberately picked the 86PS 1.5 diesel and wasn't disappointed. From inside the car you hardly ever hear it's a diesel, it has a perfectly adequate power delivery for most people's needs, and its trump card is its economy. Even I got just over 50mpg, which is close to phenomenal considering the use I put it to.

So it's a good car: practical, economical and decent to drive, at its best with the tax-friendly, belt-cam Renault diesel engine but also available with chain-cam 16v 1.4 and 1.6 Nissan petrol power. And it now has a brilliant, low-price music, satnav and phone system. It's a very serious British alternative to the Honda Jazz.

 

Engines

Engine	MPG	0-62	Top speed	CO2
1.4	45–48 mpg	13.1–13.4 s	101–103 mph	139–150 g/km
1.5 dCi	55–67 mpg	11.1–13.0 s	104–112 mph	110–136 g/km
1.6	43 mpg	10.7 s	114 mph	149–156 g/km
1.6 Automatic	42 mpg	11.7 s	108 mph	159 g/km