Nissan Note road tests and consumer car reviews

Nissan Note 1.5dci n-tec 2011

An excellent car. Buy it! I get 68mpg (from measuring fuel going in against trip mileage, the computer said 65) and pay only £20 per year road tax. The N-tec has a great spec and everything you could want including great Nissan connect satnav/phone bluetooth/stereo (which works great with the iphone). Some plastics are slightly cheap and cheerful, but overall fantastic value, I wish I had got one before now. In an era of cheap motoring being a necessity they are unbeatable. Ps: As a bonus they don’t have a DPF which is great.

Nissan Note 1.4 Acenta 2008

This is my wife’s car, a replacement for her Micra, which was also reviewed on this website. My first impressions of the Note is it is more comfortable than the Micra, more spacious and noticably quicker and more economical. I’ve achieved at one point, on a motorway, 60 mpg. Performance-wise, the note is quicker than the Micra because it has a larger and more powerful 1.4 litre engine and a manual gearbox, the Micra only had a 1.2 litre engine and an automatic. The only downside to the car is that the gearing is too short for my liking and I think that the car would have done better with a 6th gear, it certainly has the pulling power to cope with a 6th gear. Apart from the short gears, I think the car is near-enough perfect and is better equipped, and more reliable, than your equivalent Fiesta or Corsa from the same year.

Responses to this review

I have owned a Nissan Note for four years and have now covered 62,000 miles in it. My Note is a diesel and I get up to 66mpg and never less than 61mpg. For a small car, it is very versatile for rear passengers and luggage, though a compromise if both are needed at the same time! It has been incredibly reliable and apart from one set of new brakes and several tyres, the only maintenance needed as well as the normal servicing has been three light bulbs and a new sunvisor (as the other one kept flopping down!) - Alan too from Devon

Nissan Note Tekna Auto 2007

My car has done only 26,000 miles and I am now told that it requires 3 new coil springs. It seems to me that this is not of " merchantable quality." Nissan UK are not interested, stating fair wear and tear. Where is the ’fairness’ in that?

Responses to this review

Just had one spring replaced under a garage warranty. It was fractured and snapped while reversing off my drive. Investigations on the interweb showed a rash of fractured springs at the beginning of this year on 2007 Nissans. This is without a doubt a Nissan problem - springs should not fracture! - Pete Flynn from Ireland

Nissan Note 1.4 S 2006

I bought a new Note 1.4S on a 56 plate. It has now done 113,000 miles. In last year’s freeze it was left at Manchester Airport for 2 weeks at -10C to -15C and started first turn of the key. The Note has been totally reliable. P and B Nissan in Louth have done the services every 12,000 miles and nothing else has been needed., except headlamp bulbs. Excellent attention from a small family garage much better than the main dealers! The Note doesn’t use any oil and gives 45 to 48 MPG, if you have regard for the speed limits. Running on Michelin Energy tyres they last 40,000 miles a set. For its size it can carry interesting loads including a tandem! It’s a good car to drive with a well sorted balance of cornering ability and ride joined by light and easy controls.

Nissan Note 1.5dci 2008

I bought my note 1.5dci second hand with 23000 mls on clock have done 27000 mls on top of this figure in just 16 months and so far no problems to report. Great economy comfy ride loads of space for my German pointer dogs. Very economical to run approx £10 every 100 miles sometimes a little more. It behaves really well in the worst of weather conditions and feels really safe I have driven though a few floods and lots of snow and ice here in Wales and have been very pleased with the cars performance in these conditions. The only change I would ask is is to make it a little less noisey. Otherwise a wise buy for space comfort and economy and reliability. Oh and I like the quirky looks!

Nissan Note 1.6 Auto 2009

We bought my wife’s Note 1.6 Auto when it was 6 months old with 5k on the clock. Generally it has not been too bad but now it has just had to have its 2 year (2nd) Service with 19000 on the clock and I wasn’t prepared for what happened. For a few weeks before the service it had been making some very strange noises (intermittently) when started from cold, a sort of scraping/rubbing noise, which went off after about 30 seconds. On booking the service with our local Nissan Dealer (WLMG Slough) I mentioned this noise and several other things that should be done under the warranty. They seemed familiar with this problem and said it would all be done under warranty. I left the car with them and about 2 hours later I got a phone call saying they had found the cause of the noise and that it was some drive train belt (I’m none the wiser either) and it isn’t covered by warranty and it would cost £150 (over and above the cost of the service) to put right.I asked if this was normal for this part to wear out after 2 years and 19K miles and they didn’t really know. I phoned Nissan Customer Services and got told basically the same thing, so I eventually had to cough up. I said "supposing I don’t have this belt replaced, what would be the implication?" I was told that if anything else failed as a result then this wouldn’t be covered by warranty. Not best pleased Nissan seeing as how the service alone was £260. Will keep the car for another year and then dispose of in case any other mysterious non warrant parts fail. Probably won’t be replaced by another Nissan.

Nissan Note 1.6 se auto 2006

Claims to achieve 39 average miles to the gallon on the computer however it achieves only 30. Otherwise a great car.

Responses to this review

I have the 1.6SE Automatic and I get an average of 39mpg with a mix of town and A-road driving, so it’s right on the mark. You can’t expect more than 30mpg in town with any petrol car and also if you like to hit 90mph on the motorway, don’t expect big fuel economy figures - Mark LV from Berkshire

Nissan Note Teckna 1.5 Diesel 2008

Had the Note for 2 and a half years, bought at 6 months and 4,000 miles old. The car has now done 45,000 miles and is about to go out of warranty. So far only 2 minor problems sorted out under warraty in about an hour each (new sunvisor as the other one was loose and 2 new alloys due to minor corrosion). Main gripe is the expensive tyres with no cheap alternatives. Mine last about 15,000 miles, my previous cars could get at least double that. The Nissan dealer says that I am lucky, many people only manage just over 10,000! Like it for the vast space for the smallish size. I carry elderly passengers much of the time and they can easily get in the back as well as the front. The diesel is great, not too noisy and I manage about 62mpg according to the onboard computer. Even if it is over-optimistic by 10% I would consider the high fifties to be good! I will only say that it is a brilliant car when I have done around 80,000 trouble-free miles, but so far the signs are good.

Responses to this review

I would like to challenge the tyre wear issue. I have a 1.5dci Acenta (Tecna to you in the UK). I have covered 148,000km on six tyres. I spoke to the Nissan dealer here in Spain about this tyre ’wear’ issue and he wasn’t aware of any problem of this nature with the Note. The Note and Qashqai are their best sellers but to be fair, they’re their only sellers - David Cory from Spain

Nissan Note SVE 1.6 2006

We got this car this October and I can say is it is a cracking car. Fuel hovers around 39 - 41 MPG and thats all short runs around town and 20mile by pass trips so its good on fuel, the 1.6 is worth having as its got good turn of speed and pulling up the hills is no problem. Loads of leg room front and back and adjusting the back seat gives you good boot space. very comfortable Has a "stiff" ride but does not feel that bad, the Hyundai i20 has the same ride as I have tried one. SVE kit has good gadgets auto wipers and lights, and the wing mirrors are nice and big. Only small beef is it could do with an instant clear windscreen feature as it takes a while to clear but can put up with that. Well built and good quality inside. As others here have said lots of storage places. Only other niggle is that the tyre choice is very limited and expensive choices you cannot get a budget tyre for this car. It looks awkward on the road but when you are inside its very stylish and sporty performance...BUY ONE!

Nissan Note 1.4 Acenta 2007

I was reluctant to give up my super reliable Nissan Micra, but needed more space for transporting teenagers and family holidays. The Note does the job, loads of room and very comfortable cabin space with all the Acenta extras. Drives really well and have had no problems at all. I’m getting 50 mpg! Cannot fault it. Desira (Norwich) were particularly helpful; I test drove numerous times before making up my mind and once I decided they found the car for me at a good price.

Nissan Note First Note 2006

Bought one when it was introduced in 2006 (1.6 version with "First Note" edition additional features). After four years, all I can say that this car NEVER ever once disappointed me. It is truly an ideal family car in terms of usability and comfort (including two trips to southern France). When I drive it alone, it also never gives me an unpleasant driving experience in terms of performance. I have had not a single technical problem. Would buy one again without hesitation.

Nissan Note 1.4SE 2007

Overall, a practical,economic and agile performer. Plenty of space for my golf clubs and trolley with the boot extended. 37-38mpg for local runs, over 50 on long journeys and motorways. Solidly built, reliable (so far) car. One major beef: on our appalling urban roads you feel as if your kidneys have been shredded when negotiating potholes and speed bumps. A Qashqai next perhaps?

Nissan Note Tekna Auto 2007

This is the ’’perfect’’ car. A good auto-change, 40mpg, comfortable for long distance travel and well built. The only trouble I have had was a noisy driver’s door lock which was replaced after a wait of seven weeks which was a bit over the top. Other manufacturers have a lot more faults than this and I will certainly be having another Note Tekna Auto.

Responses to this review

Did Nissan replace it under the warrenty or did you have to pay? Mine has just broken on a 57 and I now have a noisy passenger lock too! - Darren Richards from England

Nissan Note 1.4 accent 2008

This is the best car I have had so far and I want to buy this car at the end of the lease term. It is fantastic on fuel, plenty of room as my wife and myself are both disabled. We have done 23000 miles so far and we have not had any problems. When the back seats are down there is plenty of room to move what you like. Very pleased.

Nissan Note Tekna Diesel 2009

Hi, I have taken delivery on a 2010 Note Tekna, a nice car except the volume from the rear park sensor is a distant faint bleep. I took it back to the dealer who tells me on all new Nissan’s they no longer fit a speaker in the rear of the car, it is just a tiny speaker fitted in the ECU buried under the back of the car and unless I want to fork out £75 for a speaker to be fitted there is nothing they can do. I did speak to Nissan UK who tell me they can do nothing as the dealer has confirmed the unit is not faulty, though I feel it is not fit for purpose if you have to struggle to hear it. The funny thing is you can hear it better standing outside at the rear of the vehicle, so it is back to getting someone to be a look-out if you are backing into a tight space. I have leased the car under the motorbility scheme so unless I fork out even more money in returning the car for another make I am stuck with this problem for the next 3 years. On a car that cost 14K it is certainly not progress, especially when the dealer and Nissan expect you to put up or pay up.

Responses to this review

Since Renault got involved with Nissan, they have really knackered things up! Look at the timing chain issues with the Almera, Micra and Primera. Now the Note is showing up faults with lambda sensors and poor ECU earths - Joseph Priory-Dingbat from Stirlingshire

Have you ever considered driving in nose first, then reversing when you leave? How did you ever manage before reversing sensors were invented? Honestly, some people... - Sneaky Elephant from England

Nissan Note 1.6 manual Accenta 2008

My first "foreign" car and it is a fantastic little car, but, it has a problem which Nissan have refused to cure or can’t cure. Any user who drives at a constant speed say 1700-2000rpm on very light throttle will experience the engine surging. It spoils a very good car.

Nissan Note 1.4 Accenta 2007

I bought my Note last July and have done 14,000 miles so far. I bought it second hand and had 7,000 miles on the clock at the time. Overall I like the car however if I knew that Renault were involved then I would have bought something else. I’ve had a fractured roll bar at 18,000 miles, had the manifold tightened four times, drivers window will go up and down for no reason in wet weather and now I have to take it back with a strange noise when I start the engine from cold. The garage seem to think it’s the alternator belt or pulley has come lose. Apart from those little niggles I like the car, perfect for my work as I need good mpg around town but the trips to the garage are a bit annoying now. Time to get rid I think and look at an alternative.

Nissan Note 2007

Get a manual we average 44+ to the gallon and more on a run. The other comment is improve the way you drive!

Responses to this review

Hello and very interested in your comment. I presume that you are talking about the 1.6 petrol model? I have had one for 2 years now and find the fuel consumption is nothing like it is claimed to be. If I coast everywhere that I can plus never taking the revs over 3000 when accelerating and keeping below 60 mph then I just manage to get between 35 /37 miles per gallon. And yes this is on a extra urban run and driving like a pussy with even reliant 3 wheelers coming by me!! And this is just me -the driver and no excess baggage! The rest of the car I have no complaints with but how Nissan can get away with these downright lies over fuel consumption I will never know. If they had have around 39 mpg ’extra urban’ then this would have been about right!! I have had the car checked and nothing is wrong. So come on Nissan, get your tests correct and stop conning people. Maybe I should have had the diesel model. Does anyone else have this problem? Would be interesting to know - Jon Whitehead from England

Nissan Note Tekna Auto 2008

Having just got the Note I think it is a very good car. We had a Mazda 3 before but it was unsuitable for my wife who is disabled. Having looked at various options we went for the Note. I fancied an automatic for a change; the change through the gears is very smooth - there is much more legroom than in the Mazda. I find it a very well finished car; a firm ride at low speed but it evens out on motorways. My wife has a electric scooter for mobility which fits easily into the boot with no problems. I had to dismantle it to fit into the Mazda. The Note is no sports car but is nippy and more than able to maintain motorway speeds with ease. All in all a very good car.

Nissan Note 2007

My Note auto is a great car but fuel economy is pathetic now that winter has arrived. 27.8 miles to the gallon now if two of use go to town ... Its cheaper to get the bus ...

Nissan Note 1.6 16v SE 2007

This is a great mini-MPV, sporty and spacious! Fuel economy? Great - over 40 miles to the gallon. The biggest plus point is the way the Note has been designed to offer clever storage solutions. The split-level boot is genius and there are so many little nooks and crannies that you are never stuck for somewhere to store your items. A very practical and efficient Japanese car, perfect cross between a supermini and an MPV.

Nissan Note 1.6 16V SE 2007

Plenty of head room in this car, perfect for people like me.. Nissan reliability also a plus but it is basically a slighty bigger Micra. Depends how tall you are.

Nissan Note

I love my Nissan note. A decent sized supermini with a reasonable price. Nice high driving position. Certainly my choice in this class. Would highly recommend it!