Nissan Note (2013 – 2016) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Nissan Note (2013 – 2016) Verdict
Practical design and spacious cabin. Reasonably comfortable. Clear instrument binnacle. Some clever technology on upper grades
Not very good to drive. Refinement isn't great. Material quality could be better.
Find out more about the Nissan Note (2013 – 2016)
The Nissan Note follows a very Japanese formula, maximising the use of space in a small package. It’s designed to seat four or even five adults in comfort, with a good level of leg and head room and a spacious luggage area, but in a car not much longer than a Ford Fiesta.
It’s full of clever ideas like a sizeable under floor storage area in the boot and a rear bench seat that can be moved forward and backward depending on how much legroom or load space is required. There’s a double floor in the boot, too, which gives more load space when it’s in the lower position or sits flush with the load lip to aid in loading bulky, heavy items.
Unfortunately it’s not all good news for the Note. The cabin is finished in a dull, hard touch plastic that while hardwearing is not as plush as the soft-touch material you get in European rivals. Furthermore some of the best gear, like the sliding rear bench, isn't offered on base models.
On top of that the driving experience isn’t enjoyable – the steering feels disconnected and the gearchange isn’t very accurate. Additionally the refinement isn’t great – gearboxes can be heard whining, engines are a little gruff and wind noise is noticeable at motorway speeds.
There are two engines from launch – a 1.3-litre three-cylinder petrol with 80ps and a 1.6-litre dCi diesel with 90ps. Both offer decent if not scintillating performance, paired with reasonable fuel economy. From December 2013 the range is joined by a more powerful, supercharged version of the petrol engine with 98ps. Four trim levels are offered – Visia, Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna. The entry level model has a decent level of standard gear but those who want the best technology will need a higher trim level.
Reviews for Nissan Note (2013 – 2016)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Nissan Note (2013 – 2016) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.2 to 1.5 dCi
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 29–78 mpg
The Note is offered with four combinations of engine and transmission – from launch there’s an 80PS 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine. Later those two are joined with a 98PS supercharged version of the 1.2-litre petrol which can also be paired with a CVT automatic transmission.
The 1.2-litre 80PS engine is the least expensive and it offers a decent level of performance, pulls reasonably well, but it is necessary to plan ahead when overtaking or driving on the motorway.
The 1.5 dCi is much better in that regard with a healthy 200Nm of torque available from 1750rpm. It’s more hushed at motorway speeds and has more flexible in gear performance, so changing down through the gears to overtake isn’t necessary.
Neither engine is particularly refined, however – they both sound a little noisy when starting up and out on the road. At low speeds the gearbox can be heard whining and at high speeds there’s noticeable wind noise. On top of that the brakes don’t have much bite and need to be given a firm shove to do their job.
The driving experience itself isn’t very good either – the steering feels a little ‘rubbery’ and disconnected thanks to inconsistent weighting and the gear change, while light, isn’t very precise. On the plus side the ride is compliant and fairly comfortable, though it is noticeably better in the petrol-powered car, perhaps because of its lighter weight.
The handling, regardless of engine, is fairly safe and predictable but it’s not particularly noteworthy, no pun intended. Given the target market that doesn't matter much – it’s unlikely to be driven particularly hard or fast.
All of the engines offer decent fuel consumption on paper – the 1.2-litre petrol has combined cycle economy of 60.1mpg when naturally aspirated or 66.7mpg with the supercharger. Add a CVT gearbox and the figure drops to 54.3mpg, with emissions of 109g/km, 99g/km and 119g/km for the three engines, respectively.
The cleanest and most frugal engine is the 1.5 dCi diesel – it has combined cycle economy of 78.5mpg and emissions of 92g/km. Given the fact it offers the best performance it’s probably the engine to choose, unless your journeys are mostly short and urban.
Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Nissan Note review
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 60 mpg | 13.7 s | 109 g/km |
| 1.2 DIG-S | 66–79 mpg | 11.7–11.9 s | 92–99 g/km |
| 1.2 DIG-S Automatic | 55 mpg | 12.6 s | 119 g/km |
| 1.5 dCi | 79–81 mpg | 11.9 s | 92–93 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Nissan Note (2013 – 2016)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
73%
Real MPG
29–78 mpg
MPGs submitted
345
Nissan Note (2013 – 2016) interior
- Boot space is 411–1495 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4100–4135 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1530–1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
If you’re looking for practicality above all else then the Note should be up your street. The cabin is upright and offers masses of head room front and rear, with an adjustable rear bench that lets you choose between maximum rear legroom and maximum load space.
With the seats slid back the boot has a 325-litre capacity but that increases to 411 litres by sliding them forward with either the handle in the load area or the handle in the cabin. Additionally the rear seats can be folded to give 2011 litres of capacity to the roofline. Sadly the sliding rear bench is only available on Acenta trim and higher.
What’s more is the double load floor – this has two heights, one to maximise space and another to make the load deck flush with the load lip, which is ideal for loading heavy items as they can be slid in or out without fouling anywhere.
Furthermore the load floor can be partially folded to reveal an extra storage area with space for a couple of shopping bags. Moving the load floor around is a little tricky at first but is easy to get the hang of and it makes the Note more practical than typical small hatchbacks – though it’s not quite as well executed as the Honda Jazz.
There’s a range of technology options available on the Note and the Around View Monitor system is easily the best. It is standard on the top trim level and a £400 option as part of a broader safety pack on mid-spec models, and it is a tremendous help to those who find parking tricky.
It provides a simulated bird’s eye view of the car thanks to a number of cameras installed in the mirrors and bumpers. The display then makes it possible to thread the car into small spaces and tight garages with ease and it’ll even alert you if a stray pet or person walks into the path of the car.
Furthermore it has a traditional reversing camera system built in along with a kerb camera which shows where the wheels are in relation to the kerb. It means you can easily parallel park with precision and you don’t need to sacrifice your alloy wheels. As part of the system you also get a lane departure warning system and blind spot monitor, both of which have irritating chimes that sound not unlike an alarm clock from the 1980s.
While the cabin is among the most practical offered in a small car it’s not without its problems. There are no soft touch plastics – everything is covered in an obviously hardwearing but very drab grey plastic which doesn’t feel very sophisticated. Add to that some cheap-looking details like the air vents and centre stack control switches and the Note feels a bit low rent. That’s not helped by the cloth upholstery which feels thin, as if it wouldn’t survive the relentless abuse of children over a few years.
Standard equipment from launch:
Visia models come with a CD player, USB and Aux connectivity, Bluetooth, electrically adjustable door mirrors, stop/start, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, split fold rear seats, electric front windows, daytime running lights, keyless entry and steel wheels. Air conditioning is a cost option on Visia models.
Acenta trim adds steering wheel mounted audio controls, heated door mirrors, electric rear windows, air conditioning, sliding rear bench seat, 15-inch alloy wheels, front and rear armrests, adjustable load area floor, body coloured exterior details plus rear privacy glass.
Accenta Premium gets climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, front foglights plus the Nissan Connect sat nav and touch screen system. Options on this grade include Safety Pack with around view monitor and the Comfort pack with glass roof.
Tekna adds the Around View Monitor, i-Key with keyless start button, improved audio system, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, leather covered steering wheel, part leather seats and 16-inch alloy wheels. Options include a styling pack with front and rear aprons plus a spoiler.
Nissan Note (2013 – 2016) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4100–4135 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1530–1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1038–1144 kg |
| Boot Space | 411–1495 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 12500–18000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Space-saving spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £9,995–£18,595 |
| Insurance Groups | 6–11 |
| Road Tax Bands | A–C |
| Official MPG | 55.4–80.7 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 4 |
On sale until July 2019
On sale until April 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 Acenta Limited Edition 5dr | £10,995 | 60.1 mpg | - |
| 1.2 Black Edition 5dr | £14,620 | 60.1 mpg | - |
| 1.2 Black Edition Connect 5dr | £15,120 | 60.1 mpg | - |
| 1.5 dCi Black Edition 5dr | £17,120 | 78.5 mpg | - |
Model History
March 2013
New Note launched
Less conservative than original Note, with sharper angles and a sleeker, less upright profile. It might look more purposeful, but performance isn’t the name of the game – there’s a 3 cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine (from the March/Micra) and a 1.5-litre diesel (from renault), which offers emissions of 95g/km.
The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is offered in two forms – 80PS and 92PS. The more powerful version is supercharged. Like the Micra, that actually makes it more frugal than the 80PS engine, with emissions of 99g/km and combined cycle economy of 65.7mpg. It’s offered with an optional CVT automatic transmission, but that pushes up emissions and reduces economy.
The latest Nissan Note is features latest safety equipment, including blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning and a moving object detection system. Parking aids include a rear view camera that features an ‘overhead’ display to distance from objects in front and behind, as well as how the car is from the kerb.
The range of trim levels is familiar from the rest of Nissan’s models – there are Visia, Acenta and Tekna versions, and even entry level models get cruise control and start/stop. Mid- level Acenta models get Bluetooth and air conditioning, while top-spec Tekna models get all the safety technology, along with part leather trim and keyless entry and start.
July 2016
Nissan Note Black Edition introduced
The addition of a Dynamic Styling Pack means sporty body-coloured bumpers front and rear, side skirts and black bezel headlights. A performance-oriented black spoiler at the top of the hatchback further enhances the look.
Other upgrades include 16-inch alloy wheels, smart new door handles and mirror covers, plus gloss inserts around the daytime running lights. There is a new high quality finish to the B and C-pillars, which frame the rear passenger door windows. As the car’s name implies, all these enhancements are finished in premium black.
The centre console is finished in gloss black, with a black gear shift knob with a black headliner. Electric rear windows are included and the NissanConnect touch-screen infotainment system is also available as an option.
The Nissan Note Black Edition comes in two body colours – a pearlescent Storm White or a metallic Pearl Black – and is based on the popular Acenta mid-grade trim level. That means air conditioning, a multi-function leather steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming included on every car.
Black Edition models are available with a choice of two engines from the Note range – the 1.5-litre dCi 90 manual and 1.2-litre 80 manual.
April 2017
Information received that production of Nissan Note ended. Very few left unregistered and all of them to be registered by the end of April 2017.
What to watch out for
Transmission of 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 became noisy and failed at 7,000 miles. Replaced under warranty.
08-07-2015:6,000 mile December 2014 Nissan Note Tekna dCi has failed rear LED light cluster, requiring a whole new light cluster that can only be fitted by a Nissan dealer.
08-02-2016:Two readers have now complained of a squeak from the rear suspension. Apparently a bush fails after a couple of years. Nissan is developing a replacement.
28-02-2016:Two readers complained of short battery life of 2nd (unused) key in their Nissan Notes.
28-05-2016:Complaint that a/c of 2013 Nissan Note requires re-gas at 21k miles at cost of £250. This is the new R1234YF a/c refrigerant that started to replace R134a in 2013 and is massively more expensive.
31-05-2016:Front anti roll bar bushes of 2014 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 DIGT replaced for the first time under warranty.
02-08-2016:Unspecified "problems" reported with CVT of Nissan Note sufficient for owner to want to change to a different car with a conventional torque converter transmission.
10-09-2016:Report of clutch failure on 2015 Nissan Note at 14,000 miles. Car bought 2nd hand 2 weeks previously, so dealer replaced clutch under his liability obligation. (Clutch failure very common on K13 Micra with same drivetrain.)
02-11-2016:Report of rattle from front wheel of 2016 Nissan Note for past 2,000 miles. Eventually traced to a loose wheel hub. Hub tightened, rattle gone, but owner worried that may have caused damage.
26-01-2017:Report of "nasty suspension creaking sound" from 2014/64 Nissan Note. Apparently this is a known problem with front and rear anti-roll bar bushes and a redesigned part is available. But the Nissan dealer had the cheek to demand £120 for "diagnostics" of the issue before it would do the warranty work.
27-01-2017:Report from another reader of prematurely wearing anti-roll bar bushes on a Note. Replace by his dealer FoC the first time, then again with modified parts, again FoC bu the Nissna dealer in Yeovil.
28-03-2017:Front anti roll bar bushes of 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 DIGT replaced for a second time with modified front anti roll bar bushes, but by January 2018 one of them was creaking again.
08-04-2017:Report of rattle from engine of 2014 Nissan Note caused by failing auxiliary belt pulley.
12-04-2017:Squeaking from top belt tensioner of 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 DIGT resolved by 'cleaning tensioner and resetting auto adjuster under warranty, as per 'new reach' bulletin from Nissan.
17-04-2017:Many owners still complaining of front suspension problems, nevers satisfactorily fixed.
17-07-2017:Owner quoted £600 to regas the airconditioning of a 2014 Nissan Note with R1234YF refrigerant.
02-01-2018:Further issue of anti roll bar bush failure repoerted on 2014 Nissan Note, identified during a Nissan dealer 'Health Check'. Owner was charged £60 for parts and labour, despite having bought a "Nissan extended warranty" in June 2017 and despite the car already having had one lower arm and two bush replacements to date.
11-01-2018:Intake Solenoid Valve of May 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 DIGT replaced in December 2016. Car serviced in April 2017 since when has done 11,000 miles, used 2 litres of oil and completely blackened its engine oil that now smells "smokey".
09-02-2018:Common suspension bush problem reported on recently purchased 2015 Nissan Note 1.5DCI.
12-02-2018:Yet another report of rattles from front suspension, this time on a 2016 Nissan Note.
23-02-2018:Report of clunk from drivetrain of recently purchased 14k mile Nissan Note 1.2 CVT. Vendor garage says gearbox flush will sort it out. Buyer advised to put vendor on notice that if it doesn't he will reject the car.
31-08-2018:Report of problems with a/c of 2017/66 Nissan Note bought new in January 2017. At 6,600 miles developed problems with a/c. Taken to Nissan dealer on 20-7-2018 who said they need parts that would not be available until 23-7-2018. Even though parts were replaced the system was still not working. Owner loaned a courtesy car. On 25-7-2018 Nissan instructed dealer to replace the system biut parts were not available. Dealer had 5 other customers with the same problem. Could not return owner's car because degree of dismantling meant it could not be driven. 2 weeks later was loaned a hire car. Now 6 weeks have passed and dealer cannot tell owner when his car will be fixed.
16-02-2019:Creaking front suspension reported on 2015 Nissan Note when traversing speed humps. Cured the previous year by the dealer re-bushing the front suspension, but grating/squeaking has now returned. Possibly clurable by spraying the bushes with WD40, (taking care not to get any on the brake discs).
03-03-2019:Report of small rust spot on the front passenger side roof of 2014 Nissan Note with no obvious signs of damage. Owner found reference to a similar issue on an owners forum.
23-03-2019:Report of problems with infotainment system of 2016/66 Nissan Note 1.2 DIG-S Tekna CVT. First gave false tyre pressure reading which dealer fixed, then MPG indicator was racing around giving readings of 99.9 to 0.0 mpg. Also when Economy button is switched on the ECO green light correctly illuminates but the accelerator scale no longer appears. Car still has 6 months warranty.
25-04-2019:Red and Amber dash warning lights came on in 2015 Nissan Note 1.5DCI at 41,000 miles. RAC reset the warnings and diagnosed the reasons as: P2263 Boost pressure circuit; P0833 Clutch switch signal consistency; P0380 Preheating unit diagnostic connection; P0106 Inlet pressure consistency.
19-07-2019:Report of 36,000 mile 2013 Nissan Note using 5 litres of oil in 5 months.
21-07-2019:Report of very high mileage 2017 Nissan Note with warranty voided due to high mileage suffering electrical problems that have kept it in a Nissan dealership for 5 months. Deare not wants £3,200 to fix the issue.
03-08-2019:Report of failure of X-tronic CVT transmission in 2017 Nissan Note at 27,884 miles. Nissan replacing the transmission under warranty without question.
26-08-2019:Report of intermittent fault with CVT transmission of 2015 Nissan Note where on occasions there is a tremendous judder when accelerating after over-run, say pulling away from a round-about.
25-10-2019:Report of series of problems with 2016 Nissan Note Accenta. On 31st December 2017 the wipers failed and all lights went out. On examination was found that the front screen had not been properly sealed so rainwater had got into the wiper motor knocking it out and associated components on the same canbus power circuit. Repairs took several weeks. A few weeks later the signal light on the wing mirror failed and had to be replaced. Then in August of 2019 the air conditioning failed and the lock on the rear door failed it would not open. Nissan then extended the warranty by 2 years and gave owner £200 in dealer vouchers.
30-10-2019:Report of engine shaped warning light repeatedly appearing on dash of 2016 Nissan Note 1.5 dCi, now at 30,000 miles and still under warranty. First appeared after the first year. After taking the car to nearest Nissan dealer it was connected to diagnostics and the mechanic managed to turn the light off. This happened on three occasions before the garage (which has been excellent) said they would take the car for the day to get to the root of the problem. After a few days it was decided that new filters connected to the exhaust system needed to be replaced and this was done under warranty. Since then the car has been back to the garage six or seven times in total with this same warning light problem and has had numerous sensors and things replaced all done under warranty. Owner told maybe the mileage he was travelling was not enough for a diesel engine so to give it a good run up the motorway every month keeping the revs above 2,000rpm (which he did religiously) for about an hour and this could rectify the problem. The 30,000 miles covered in two and a half years have been about half motorway and half local country roads. Now once more this orange light is again illuminated, and the car is to go back in for a replacement part, this time to rectify the car overheating.
18-2-2020: Squeaks from engine of 2014 Nissan Note 1.2 DIG-S quoted at £432.93 to replace a belt and tensioner, but if any pulleys needed replacing they would be £215.04 each incl VAT (there are four) plus labour which might be £30 or £40 plus VAT if two pulleys needed replacing.
