Introduction The brand new Note is undoubtedly a momentous creation for Nissan. The family car is weighed down by a lot of expectations, and that's just from Nissan themselves who are investing an awful lot of time and faith to create its next major success story. The Note will be assembled at Nissan's Sunderland-based UK plant as part of a fresh investment worth £125 million. In recent years, Nissan's crossovers including the Qashqai and the Juke have led the sales success. The first generation Note, however, was a boxy-shaped mini-MPV which seemingly struggled to capture anywhere near as much affection as Nissan's other crossover models. This second generation Note has been downsized and Nissan are placing it in what it calls "the heart of the B-segment", moving the car away from the mini-MPV category and in direct competition with the big-name superminis. In a sign of towering confidence from Nissan, the Japanese manufacturer has identified the Ford Fiesta as a direct rival for its new Note. The new Note is priced in a region between £11,900 and £17,750, which means it currently starts at £1,905 more than the Fiesta. In return for your money, the Note offers not only a spacious ride but also a lot of onboard technology to bolster efficiency and safety when driving. Read on to find out if the new Nissan Note has what it takes to challenge its popular new targets. The new Nissan Note is available to order now in the UK, with first deliveries beginning on 1st October 2013. Performance 3.5/5 From launch two engines were available to try. These included a 97bhp 1.2-litre DIG-S supercharged petrol engine and an 89bhp 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine. With either unit, the Note is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, although an automatic transmission will be available from January 2014 on the 1.2-litre version. While both engines feel responsive, they aren't exactly quick. The 1.2 petrol unit will cover the 0-62mph sprint in 11.7 seconds and this increases to 11.9 seconds for the 1.5 diesel model. The 1.2-litre petrol Note can reach a top speed of 113mph or 111mph if you choose the diesel choice. Honestly, the difference between the petrol and diesel engines in terms of performance and are so marginal that it will be up to personal preference. Ride & Handling 3.5/5 While Nissan claims it has moved the Note across into the centre of the supermini car segment, the car still has a noticeably longer and boxier appearance in comparison to its target rivals, particularly compared to the Fiesta. Compared to the previous Note meanwhile, the new car is 55kg lighter and the ride height has been reduced by 15mm. The front seating position has also been dropped slightly by 9mm. The result is that whether driving through town or high-speed country roads, the Note is composed and maintains a decent level of stability even on tarmac of poorer quality. It is much better to drive than the previous generation, however, Ford's Fiesta is still the class-leader. The steering feels artificial but the brakes, like in other Nissans I've driven or been driven in, are at their usual impressive standards. The Nissan Note had impressive levels of front-end grip and has average levels of bodyroll for the sector. The Note is good but the Fiesta is more planted when cornering. Practicality 4.5/5 Where the Nissan Note really impresses is how spacious the cabin is within, certainly more than you get in a typical modern supermini. While the front seats have been lowered slightly, the rear seats have actually been raised by 23mm compared to the previous Note to create more legroom. The result is a very roomy environment at both the front and rear of the car. Even with the front seats positioned as far back as possible, there should still be a decent level of space at the back for adults in terms of leg room and the design shape of the Note provides plenty of head room as well. The boot meanwhile offers a minimum load capacity of 295 litres; this is increased to 325 litres by the under-floor storage compartment easily accessed in the boot. When you fold the rear seats down the Note's total load capacity is enlarged to a very respectable 2,012 litres. Even with the rear seats up the Note should be able to carry at least a few large bags with no trouble at all. Running Costs 4.0/5 The 1.5-litre dCi diesel is the most efficient engine option in the Note line-up. This power plant returns an official combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg, while CO2 emissions are at a Road Tax-beating 95g/km. The 97bhp petrol-powered Note isn't far behind with its CO2 output, producing 99g/km, while the combined fuel economy has a claimed average 65.7mpg. All engines available for the Note feature stop-start technology as standard, meaning you'll improve on fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions when the car is idle and in neutral. Supporting the driver further in the Note is a Blind Spot Warning, which illuminates a warning light on the wing mirror. There's also a Lane Departure Warning which will play a series of beeps if the car drifts onto a white line - whether you're on the motorway or other kinds of roads. Other standard equipment highlights on the entry level 'Visia' trim Note includes front electric windows, daytime running lights and cruise control. There are three other trim levels to consider 'Acenta', 'Acenta Premium' and the range-topping 'Tekna' trim. The 'Acenta Premium' and 'Tekna' models include the Note's large array of safety gadgets; collated together to create what Nissan calls the "Safety Shield". This is a system of parking cameras (with self-cleaning functionality) at the front and rear of the Note and these can be viewed through the onboard 5.8-inch display screen. Thanks to other onboard cameras, the screen can also provide a 360-degree overhead view of the Note's surroundings. This should make parking and general low-speed manoeuvring a less stressful experience. If you want to benefit from these camera features, you'll have to pay at least £14,510 for an 'Acenta Premium' model. Passengers can also add unique alloy wheels and sportier seating trim with the £800 optional Dynamic Styling Pack. Motortorque Verdict 4.0/5 The Nissan Note inevitably faces a tall order taking on the most popular superminis including the Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa. Even though it may not woo enthusiasts with its driving experience, the Note is a compact, practical family car making it a particularly appealing proposition for many families in this sector of the market. It's spacious, practical, easy to drive and, especially with the Around View Monitor, easy to park as well. With all these points in mind the new Nissan Note should perform better than the previous iteration. Written by Stephen Goldasz
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