Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Nissan Note

Model tested: Nissan Note 1.4 SE
Price as tested: £11,345
Range price: £9,990 - £12,990
Insurance group as tested: 4E
Insurance group range: 4 - 6
Tested: September 2006
Road tester: Keith Collantine

Auto Trader Ten Point Test Rating – 73%

Just because you need a family car doesn’t mean you have to drive something that looks dull – that much is clear from the eccentric styling of Nissan’s new Note.

It may be built in Britain, at Nissan’s renowned Sunderland plant, but that alone won’t be enough to win over British buyers. Does this oddball car have some new and exciting to bring to this hotly contested end of the market?

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

The Note has a funky but flawed appearance. I loved the daring rear lights, extravagantly raked across the top of the roof. But the headlights just seem to gawp gormlessly at passers by – and the bubble-shaped side lights are very peculiar.

It didn’t help that our model came in ‘Aztec Yellow’, which might have been more accurately described as ‘Depreciation Yellow’. Avoid it like the plague.

6/10

2. Looks inside

Things are a little easier on the eye inside. The centre console is today and economical on space, and there are plenty of elegant circular features (vents, dials, etc…) dotted here and there.

I particularly liked the neat door handles and the curves inside the door pockets – ideal for chucking a bottle of water in. Some of the plastics felt a little cheap, though.

8/10

3. Practicality

The Note is all about practicality – it’s roomy and flexible. The rear seats slide back and forth to maximise boot space or leg room depending on what you need. In the boot a pair of slats can be moved to provide useful storage room for tall items.

The high rear roofline makes the back of the car reasonably comfortable even for adults. The folding tables and extra power socket in the SE and SVE versions of the car are also handy.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

I found the ride to be stiff, verging on harsh. Negotiating speed bumps at anything but the slowest crawl proved immensely uncomfortable - not a good trait for a vehicle with city car aspirations.

Although the ride was poor the handling wasn’t too bad and body roll was minimal despite the car having fairly high sides. It wasn’t a particularly fun or exciting drive, but one thankfully devoid of any nasty surprises.

6/10

5. Performance

We tested the 1.4-litre petrol engine which is smallest power unit on offer. Its breathless 88hp proved just too weedy for a car of the Note’s proportions even unladen. With a full load on board performance slumped from dreary (0-60mph in 13.1s) to positively lethargic. The 1.6-litre petrol or 1.5-litre turbo diesel would be better options.

However the nimble gearbox was a pleasure to use and the brakes very sharp and strong.

6/10

6. Running Costs

The Note’s combined fuel efficiency was a very strong 44.8 mpg but more important is the urban fuel cycle figure. This was a wholly respectable 35.8mpg.

With group four insurance and CO2 emissions of 150g/km you’re looking at a very reasonable runner, though depreciation for a new model is hard to predict.

8/10

7. Reliability

It’s hard to judge exactly how the Note will fare with it being a new model. The test car felt simple and sturdy so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

8/10

8. Safety

A standard Note comes with front and side airbags and ISOFIX mountings for child seats in the rear.  But I would have liked to see more of these features as standard across the range, such as side airbags and anti-whiplash head rests, presently only on the SE and SVE models.

The SVE model is the only grade which gets the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

7/10

9. Equipment

The middle-level SE specification levels was decently appointed at a fair price. I liked the air conditioning system with pollen filter and wasn’t at all troubled by the lack of climate control.

I also liked having steering wheel controls for the stereo and the trip computer, even if they did feel a bit cheap.

8/10

10. X-Factor

So the Note is a funky, family-friendly city car. But it doesn’t quite tick all the boxes for me, particularly the asthmatic engine which makes long journeys frustrating and motorways wearisome.

Flexibility is the strongest feature in the Note’s favour. The Note would especially suit a young family, but you’ll have to sacrifice driving pleasure for that practicality.

7/10

Rivals:
You might want to consider:
Kia Cee'd
Chevrolety Kalos
Seat Ibiza

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