Nissan Note review

Overview

The 2014 Note makes sense as a small, space-efficient family car for buyers who value an upright cabin more than fashionable styling. This review selects the European E12 Acenta Premium with the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre 80 PS petrol engine and five-speed manual. The supercharged DIG-S, diesel, previous Note and Japanese e-Power imports are different propositions. Its modest performance encourages a patient driving style, while the petrol/manual combination is appropriate for ordinary local journeys. At this age, condition is considerably more important than the original equipment hierarchy. The car's appeal is practical usefulness at an accessible purchase budget, not a promise that an inexpensive example will need no maintenance.

Exterior and interior

The E12 has a tall but less box-like appearance than the previous Note, with large side windows and a relatively straightforward dashboard. Acenta Premium adds original NissanConnect navigation, automatic lights and wipers, climate control and front fog lights to the underlying equipment. It does not automatically include Tekna's part-leather upholstery, keyless start or Around View Monitor. The cabin prioritises usable shapes over rich materials, and some surfaces will feel basic beside newer hatchbacks. Look for secure trim, functioning switches and a seating position that suits you. On a twelve-year-old car, faded controls, stained headlining and damp carpets are more useful inspection signals than the original brochure's attractive photographs.

Practicality

The Note's rear-seat usability is a stronger argument than its acceleration. The selected default is Nissan's 295-litre standard space-saver spare arrangement; 325 litres applies only without that spare, so the actual car's floor and kit must be checked. A sliding rear bench and associated luggage-floor features depend on the Family Pack, so the larger extended volume must not be assumed for every Acenta Premium. Demonstrate the mechanisms on the actual car and confirm that they lock securely. The upright shape helps access and makes the cabin useful for passengers who dislike low seating positions, but try individual child seats and mobility equipment. Inspect the boot floor, parcel shelf and any water ingress, and weigh loading height as well as volume.

Driving experience

Contemporary Auto Express and Carwow assessments present the E12 as practical everyday transport rather than a driver's favourite. Our interpretation is that light controls and visibility are its main strengths, while the basic petrol engine suits town better than rapid country-road progress. A test drive should include the type of hill or dual carriageway you actually use, ideally with a realistic load. Do not transfer the supercharged version's stronger response or different chassis specification to this car. Check for tyre noise, wandering and suspension knocks, because ageing components can undermine the original comfort advantage. The five-speed manual should engage cleanly and the clutch should take up without vibration or excessive effort.

Performance

The selected engine produces 80 PS, approximately 79 bhp, and 110 Nm. Nissan's European mechanical table records 13.7 seconds from 0–100 km/h, equivalent to the 0–62 mph measure shown here. It is the naturally aspirated multipoint-injection engine, not the more powerful supercharged DIG-S. Its modest output means early downshifts are sensible for hills, overtaking and loaded journeys; headline power alone does not explain how patient the driver needs to be. An urban buyer may find that acceptable, whereas frequent fast-road users should try it carefully before committing. Any misfire, hesitant warm acceleration or slipping clutch is a fault to investigate, not a necessary consequence of choosing a low-powered car.

Fuel economy

An older official laboratory consumption claim should not be interpreted as the likely result of every short commute. Exact original UK wheel and trim economy scope was not fully recovered, so this draft leaves the structured mpg field unset. The cost scenario assumes 48 mpg as a planning input, explicitly not a measured average. Modest weight and a small petrol engine can support economical gentle use, but loaded hills, cold starts and higher-speed journeys alter the result. The stop-start system should be checked without assuming that a tired battery is harmless. Compare fuel bought with miles covered over several tanks after purchase. Claims for the diesel or DIG-S do not establish the consumption of this naturally aspirated manual.

Reliability

The reliability judgment is editorial, with age-related uncertainty rather than a known statistical failure rate. The basic engine and manual avoid some complexity found in the DIG-S or an automatic, but they still depend on correct servicing and intact cooling and lubrication systems. Ask for dated invoices, inspect oil and coolant, and hear a genuine cold start. Check clutch operation, brake balance, wheel bearings and suspension wear, then examine the underside for corrosion or damage. The climate-control system deserves a complete hot-and-cold demonstration because a repair can be significant relative to the purchase price. The original warranty is expired. A good service record plus a specialist inspection is stronger evidence than a seller's description of Nissan durability.

Safety

Euro NCAP's official 2013 Note media record identifies the relevant European E12 generation. This is historical context, not a current-standard assessment or a reason to use results from newer Japanese Notes. We do not reproduce scores, crash photographs or video. Nissan's optional Safety Shield and Around View Monitor use camera-based warnings, but neither is guaranteed simply by the Acenta Premium badge and neither should be described as autonomous driving. Confirm fitted equipment and warnings from the actual build. Inspect tyres, seatbelts, child-seat anchors and previous repairs. Any individual recall must be checked by registration and VIN with completion confirmed, rather than inferred from a general model review.

Technology and features

Original NissanConnect gives Acenta Premium a useful factory navigation and audio interface, but it belongs to an older generation of technology. Do not promise Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and assess mapping and phone compatibility with the actual unit. The documented climate control and automatic lights are useful even if some connected services are obsolete or unsupported. Around View Monitor and Safety Shield are optional or grade-dependent rather than universal equipment. Bring your phone, test a call and audio playback, and inspect screen response in daylight. An aftermarket upgrade can improve usability, but poorly installed wiring or lost steering-wheel functions can introduce problems that the original equipment list cannot predict.

Running costs

The October 2026 editorial purchase allowance is £2,500–£4,500, not a live valuation. Using 8,000 miles and an assumed 48 mpg requires about 758 litres of petrol; at an illustrative £1.50 per litre that costs approximately £1,137. Add a provisional £50 tax allowance and £500–£950 for servicing, tyres and ordinary wear to produce around £1,700–£2,150 annually. Check the actual CO2-based tax position rather than accepting that allowance as a current rate. Insurance, finance, depreciation and major repairs are excluded. A clutch, air-conditioning repair or several neglected wear items can be a large fraction of the purchase price, so reserve money for immediate inspection findings instead of spending the whole budget on the car.

Advantages and disadvantages