LVSteve
Member
Those with long memories may recall that I wrote an earlier review on a Versa sedan. http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/358395-rental-car-review-nissan-versa-looong.html
The Note is the hatchback version, and all the hatchback haters are not going to like what I have to say. I rented this vehicle while on vacation on Maui. Specs are basically the same as the sedan.
Specs:
5-door hatchback
1.6 litre four cylinder 109 bhp@6000 rpm, torque 107 ft/lbs @4400 rpm.
CVT automatic transmission
Weight about 2500 lbs
Things that are different:
Performance:
I suspect Nissan have massaged the transmission and engine management recently as the Note drove less like an old school CVT than the sedan. It still revs hard if you need to go, but it did less mooing during regular driving.
I am still baffled how Nissan make a 1.6 motor that sounds and feels so unrefined. Honda used to make smooth engines in that size, Ford 1600 Kent motors with pushrods from the late 70s are smoother, and my Dad's 2.0 Ford SOHC was WAY smoother. Maybe it has something to do with emissions gear or the drive to reduce friction.
Ride and handling:
The Note seems to have slightly firmer shocks than the sedan. This made the ride less roly-poly. It also handled MUCH better, as I found on the Road to Hana, all 52 narrow miles and 600 turns of it. The car had a real "planted at each corner" feel. Looking at the picture, you can see why.
Steering was also more direct and directional stability was FAR better than the sedan. Actually, I've noticed that hatch and wagon versions of sedans are often more stable in the wind than the vanilla 4-door.
Interior:
Same gripes as the sedan although I think the seats are a tad wider in the Note. The hatchback body does pick up more road noise, especially as none of the rentals come with the luggage compartment cover.
Other:
Gas mileage was very good, and I think Nissan have refreshed the headlamp design, as the pattern was much improved over the sedan I had Feb 2014. A/C worked just fine fighting off the Maui sun and humidity.
Conclusion:
Big improvement on the sedan version, but I'd only own one as a town car or because I could not afford to run anything else.
The Note is the hatchback version, and all the hatchback haters are not going to like what I have to say. I rented this vehicle while on vacation on Maui. Specs are basically the same as the sedan.
Specs:
5-door hatchback
1.6 litre four cylinder 109 bhp@6000 rpm, torque 107 ft/lbs @4400 rpm.
CVT automatic transmission
Weight about 2500 lbs
Things that are different:
Performance:
I suspect Nissan have massaged the transmission and engine management recently as the Note drove less like an old school CVT than the sedan. It still revs hard if you need to go, but it did less mooing during regular driving.
I am still baffled how Nissan make a 1.6 motor that sounds and feels so unrefined. Honda used to make smooth engines in that size, Ford 1600 Kent motors with pushrods from the late 70s are smoother, and my Dad's 2.0 Ford SOHC was WAY smoother. Maybe it has something to do with emissions gear or the drive to reduce friction.
Ride and handling:
The Note seems to have slightly firmer shocks than the sedan. This made the ride less roly-poly. It also handled MUCH better, as I found on the Road to Hana, all 52 narrow miles and 600 turns of it. The car had a real "planted at each corner" feel. Looking at the picture, you can see why.
Steering was also more direct and directional stability was FAR better than the sedan. Actually, I've noticed that hatch and wagon versions of sedans are often more stable in the wind than the vanilla 4-door.
Interior:
Same gripes as the sedan although I think the seats are a tad wider in the Note. The hatchback body does pick up more road noise, especially as none of the rentals come with the luggage compartment cover.
Other:
Gas mileage was very good, and I think Nissan have refreshed the headlamp design, as the pattern was much improved over the sedan I had Feb 2014. A/C worked just fine fighting off the Maui sun and humidity.
Conclusion:
Big improvement on the sedan version, but I'd only own one as a town car or because I could not afford to run anything else.
Guy from work went to Maui a week after me and had rented an Escalade for his party of five. He said the trip to Hana left him a nervous wreck because of the size of the thing.
