Take a note of this (Nissan Note)

Member Name: ScottishWestie

Product:	Nissan Note
Date:	27/07/09 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Room, cubby holes, performance, reliability, general finish

Disadvantages: Looks, name

My first acquaintance with the Nissan Note was on a rental car hire parking lot a few months ago, it was to be my transport for a few days. If we all purchased a car for looks alone I doubt if anyone would even consider this car. I know looks are a subjective matter but no matter which angle I looked at this vehicle is was just.............well, odd.

With its long wheelbase & box shape & those striking 'bug eye' headlamps it was never going to win a beauty contest.
And then there is the name, how many well paid advisors / marketing people came up with the name. Note? Did they pick the names out of a hat? Honestly, I would have thought a company the size of Nissan could have come up with something a little more exciting.

However, this is a car with a purpose & that being transporting a family of five around in space & comfort, because as soon as I stepped inside the car my attitude changed completely.

From its modest outside dimensions, it was like a Tardis inside, loads of room for five people with some clever features. The split rear seat slides forwards & backwards just like a front seat. If you don't need to carry luggage just slide the seat back & rear passengers have an incredible amount of leg room. If you need boot space, slide it forward again & take advantage of a large boot.

Up front there was loads of head room & leg room for front occupants, I counted 13 cubby holes to store all the things we carry around these days including a rather smart bin in front of the passengers front seat, it doubles up as a glove box lid & conceals a large glove box behind. The 'bin' is deep & holds loads of things, just a pity it wasn't lined with rubber as items in it roll around & vibrate on the road.

The dash top featured a hinged lid with a lead & socket for MP3 players which can be concealed form prying eyes when parked.
The dash plastics were a bit hard & plasticky but at least they didn't rattle & everything was built & screwed together very well. This was the basic 1.4 version so it didn't come with air conditioning, electric rear windows, electric mirrors, adjustable steering column, foot rest or even a water temperature gauge. However it have a decent radio/CD, electric front windows, keyless entry & power steering.

In all fairness to Nissan they have done their best to avoid the Note looking too boxy, they have achieved that by curving the side windows at the rear & by fitting the rear lamps on the roof, little things like this do make a difference.
It's easy to get comfortable inside as the seats are of a decent size & comfort. Start it up & the engine noise is well suppressed, the gear change is cable operated & very slick indeed with a smooth & light clutch pedal.

Performance was very brisk for such a small engine & it kept up with motorway traffic without any problems at all. Brakes were sound & progressive giving the driver a feeling of confidence as was the steering & suspension. Personally I found the electronic power steering a little too light at parking speeds but perfect at higher speeds.

At speed the engine noise remained well suppressed & this was a car you could cover long journeys with without feeling too stressed out.
Some things to note (no pun intended) the Nissan Note came with four air bags, four clever hooks in the boot for storing loose items, decent sized cup & bottle holders & a neat fuel flap release next to the bonnet release. They even put an arrow next to the fuel gauge so you know which side the fuel filler is on.

First impressions of the Note was the looks put me off but once I drove it I felt this was car I could take to very quickly. Its roomy, reasonably well equipped, returned decent fuel consumption figures, drives well & has many clever features & with Nissan's reputation for reliability it won't break very often. It's also British, made in Tyne & Wear. Just a shame about the name.

Summary: A roomy car worth considering

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Driving comfort: