‘THE Note still looks good value in the crowded supermini market.’
That’s the verdict from Kyle Fortune, writing in Auto Express, who gave the Nissan supermini-MPV a strong four out of five stars rating.
‘Since it was launched in 2006, it has always been a practical choice and one of the first (and best) supermini-MPVs. But with a replacement due next year, this final facelift could be worth a look,’ wrote Fortune.
Driving the range-topping N-TEC+ Note with the 1.5 dCi engine, Fortune came to the conclusion the recently refreshed Nissan supermini-MPV was worth a look. Fortune noted the car’s impressive levels of space – ‘around 200 litres more than the Ford Focus or VW Golf’ – and its versatile boot.
Good to drive
Fortune also praised the Note’s driving characteristics, saying: ‘The Note has always been an enjoyable car to drive. The 89bhp 1.5-litre turbodiesel provides adequate rather than brisk performance… power delivery is smooth and punchy at low revs.’
The Note’s ‘smooth’ five-speed manual gearbox and claimed MPG of 67.3 and CO2 emissions of 110g/km were regarded as ‘impressive’.
The 2012 Note features a refreshed cabin which scored highly with Auto Express – as did the N-TEC+’s long list of standard equipment, which includes auto air-con, Nissan Connect – touchscreen sat-nav, audio and Bluetooth – automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and part-leather trim.
Fortune concluded: ‘Yet even the popular Acenta model has climate control, larger alloys and suto lights and wipers, and costs less that the equivalent Hyundai ix20 and Kia Venga.
‘So the Note still looks good value in the crowded supermini market.’