2014 Nissan Versa Note

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-5996651/

How important is vehicle sticker price? How imperative is fuel economy? What about passenger room and technology?

Nissan is hoping that consumers find all four objective measurements significant, because the all-new 2014 Versa Note excels in each of those areas. Not only does the five-door deliver the most competitive pricing, but it provides best-in-class combined fuel economy and best-in-class total interior volume. And the new model offers a full range of innovative technology, including available navigation and the automaker's impressive Around-View monitor to ease parking.

But how crucial are the model's more subjective traits – qualities like driver and passenger comfort, usable cargo space and driving dynamics? Can a new subcompact remain competitive if it doesn't perform equally as well in those categories?


Nissan pulled the covers off its new Versa Note at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. The five-door replaces the Versa Hatchback to sit side-by-side with the Versa Sedan in Nissan showrooms (deliveries started in mid-June). Compared to the Versa Sedan, the Note rides on an identical 102.4-inch wheelbase, but the new model is nearly a full foot shorter than its four-door sibling. The Note and Sedan are equal in width, but the Note is slightly taller. The curb weight of the Note, with a continuously variable transmission, is only 2,460 pounds – that's about the same as the sedan, yet some 300 pounds lighter than the discontinued hatchback.

In terms of styling, the Note is a leap forward compared to the outgoing hatchback. It has a sharply raked windshield that helps pull off its clean and aerodynamic shape (Nissan is quick to point out its "squash" character line and Juke- and 370Z-inspired tail lights). Hatchbacks aren't the slipperiest shapes when moving through the wind, but the automaker has gone to great lengths to pare down the Note's drag. The mirrors have been moved off the A-pillars and a large front splitter and tire deflector help keep air from beneath the vehicle. Even the fuel tank and rear suspension beams have been engineered flush with aerodynamics in mind. Lastly, active grill shutters close tight to limit unnecessary airflow into the engine compartment. Nissan boasts that the Note earns a drag coefficient of 0.298 on CVT models. (However, a bit of research reveals that the shape of the Versa sedan is still slightly more efficient at 0.288 in the S Plus CVT, SV and SL models.)


All Note models are front-wheel drive, sharing the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine as the Versa Sedan. The all-aluminum engine (internal code HR16DE) is rated at 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque, and it has a redline of 6,500 rpm. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, but it is only offered in the base model, while all other trims are fitted with Nissan's next-generation Xtronic CVT.

Other mechanical specifications include an independent front suspension with a torsion beam rear axle and disc brakes up front (rear brakes are drum). Standard models are fitted with 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers (185/65HR15 tires), but more premium grades wear 16-inch alloys and slightly wider tires (195/55HR16) at all four corners. Lastly, steering is electrically assisted across the board.

Nissan will offer the Versa Note in a variety of trim levels. The entry-level model, known as the Note S, starts at just $13,990 (not including the mandatory $790 destination and handling fee) and includes the 1.6-liter engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and 15-inch steel wheels. Cloth upholstery, air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD/AUX audio system are also included as standard equipment. Stepping up to the $15,240 Note S Plus adds the CVT, active grille shutters and cruise control.


The SV receives upgraded cloth upholstery, power windows, power door locks, Bluetooth phone connectivity, remote keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a six-way adjustable driver's seat with an armrest. The SV with SL package, starting at $17,690, adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a pushbutton ignition, RearView Monitor and heated front seats. Lastly, the SV with SL Tech package starts at $18,490. It adds the Around View monitor, NissanConnect with navigation (8.5-inch color touchscreen monitor), hands-free text messaging and streaming Bluetooth audio.

Standard appointments across the range include front seatback map pockets, 60/40-split fold-down rear seats, front door map pockets with bottle holders, front and rear cup holders and a 12-volt power outlet, while major options include an upgrade to 15- or 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels ($700) and the Convenience package ($540), which adds SiriusXM Satellite Radio, USB connectivity, the RearView Monitor, the Divide-N-Hide adjustable floor and more.

My test car, as seen in the gallery, was a loaded Note SV with the SL Tech package painted Metallic Peacock over Wheat Stone cloth. This range-topping model stickers at $19,280, including destination and handling.


I traveled to San Diego to put the Note through its paces in a mix of city and highway driving, and while I didn't cover enough miles to accurately capture fuel economy figures, five hours inside its compact cabin was plenty of time to find things to praise, and to become annoyed with some others.

Buyers in this segment are well aware that they are purchasing an entry-level subcompact, so nobody should expect a luxurious cabin with plush upscale appointments. The Note's controls are simple, but easy to use. Primary instrumentation consists of two large analog dials, with digital fuel and coolant temperature readings between them. The climate controls are in the center stack, with intuitive dials and a simple, illuminated button to activate the air conditioning compressor. Ergonomically, all of the controls come across as very functional.

Nearly every inch of the instrument panel and door panels is molded in hard plastic. The textures are not completely consistent (faux grain on some surfaces, while others are smooth), but the fit and finish of the Mexican-made vehicle seemed up to class standards. The most premium part of the Note's cabin, the one part lifted right from the Nissan Sentra, is the leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. It is configured with audio source, channel, volume, Bluetooth and cruise control features, and its thick spokes have a nice raised portion of the grip for a good feel. Unfortunately, the wheel is only adjustable for rake – it does not telescope – so my six-foot, two-inch frame was forced to sit with arms outstretched as if I was posed in a constant forward reach, which was not comfortable.


The lack of a telescoping wheel was not the only problem I found with the driving position. The lower seat cushions are short; meaning they only supported about 60 percent of my thighs. While this didn't cause discomfort for some of the short routes, my legs began to ache by early afternoon (when a bottom cushion is too short, body weight is uncomfortably distributed across a smaller portion of the thighs and buttocks). Compounding the problem, my rearward seating position (to gain necessary legroom) meant that all of the controls, including the shifter, required me to lean forward. By day's end, I had decided that the Versa Note, a car that has been on sale in Japan since last September, was apparently not designed for a driver who is much over six-feet tall.

Surprisingly enough, passengers in the second row will find very little to complain about. There is plenty of room for tall adults, and legroom is not compromised one bit. In fact, this Nissan boasts best-in-class rear legroom, beating the competition by several inches in most cases (I didn't move the front seat forward for the picture of the second row – that is the actual legroom behind a six-foot, two-inch driver). Improving on the positive, the lower cushions in the back seats are supportive and tilted slightly rearward to increase comfort.

With the second row occupied, cargo space behind the seats was very good at 21.4 cubic feet. I put a large backpack in the area and it fit well with room to spare (we could probably fit about six of them back there and still keep them out of the driver's line of sight). Nissan is proud of its Divide-N-Hide adjustable floor, which is just a false carpeted floor hiding additional storage. It provides a small area to stash valuables, but the backpack would not fit, as the space isn't very tall. After messing around with it for a few minutes, repeatedly folding it back and forth, it seemed gimmicky. I expect most will leave it home, sitting against the wall inside the garage. I should mention that the second row of seats folds to improve cargo capacity to 38.3 cu-ft, but the center shoulder belt needs to be disconnected to allow the larger of the two seatbacks to drop forward smoothly.


Moving on to the mechanical bits, the 1.6-liter engine sprung to life and settled down to a nearly inaudible idle after pressing the starter button. Nissan has made no discernable attempt at tuning an exhaust note. Come to think of it, one has to squat down low to even find the single exhaust outlet, which is tucked out of sight under the right side of the rear valance. After moving the traditional transmission lever (PRNDL) into Drive, I set off across San Diego.

Nissan has embraced the CVT, saying the Note is fitted with its next-generation transmission providing wider gear ratios, lower friction and a lightweight and more compact package, but the technology still isn't a perfect fit for this engine. From a standstill, the Versa Note takes off with a spirited gait. However, it quickly loses steam by 30 mph. The run to 60 mph takes more than 11 seconds, according to my informal testing, as the CVT oddly refuses to allow the engine to visit right side of the tachometer where it makes the most horsepower. Adding passengers and cargo only makes matters worse. Lethargic acceleration on the onramp means owners will have to get used to waving people by, as I did often. I tried earnestly to get behind the wheel of the standard five-speed model, as it would have been nice to manually row the gears into the engine's power curve. Unfortunately, Nissan only brought a couple of examples to the event and they were gone each time I attempted to chase down the keys.

But there is an upside to sluggish performance and an engine that refuses to spin to redline, as its behaviors allow Nissan to boast a best-in-class 35 combined miles per gallon for the subcompact, highlighted by 40-mpg highway cruising consumption. Cruise with a light foot, and Note owners will leave Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Honda Fit and Chevrolet Sonic behind at the pump.


On a positive note (pun intended), the cabin of the newest Nissan is particularly quiet on the open road. To keep unwanted noises out of the passenger compartment, Nissan has put lots of acoustic materials in the fenders, B-pillars, doors and wheel housings, plus sound-deadening material under the carpet and the windshield has an inner layer of acoustic film. Everything adds up, and with the exception of some tire noise that permeates on coarse road surfaces and a bit of four-cylinder drone under acceleration, the cabin is almost serene.

Saving the best for last, it is important to mention the Note's steering. Despite being electrically assisted, it is nicely weighted across its full range of movement and gives the hatchback a nice stable feel at speed – I was surprised and impressed. Yet don't assume that good steering feel equates to strong handling, as the suspension is too softly sprung for spirited driving and the low rolling resistance tires don't want to play.

The all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note looks very impressive on paper, but a lack of comfort behind the wheel and its dull driving behavior left me feeling unsatisfied. Even though many consumers will be drawn to the small five-door for its low sticker price and economics of operation, my personal tastes would argue that there are better choices in the segment.

If a potential buyer asked me to sum up the Versa Note in two concise sentences, I'd mention its pricing, styling, rear seat room, fuel economy and steering feel as its best attributes, and front seat comfort, driving position, interior materials, lackluster acceleration and the CVT gearbox as its most obvious shortcomings.

Then I'd ask them what they consider most important.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/28/2...-drive-review/

 

this car is the very definition of beater... cheap but works fine. my wife has old one and it is perfect for her... it is good value but it is also built for price. There is a lot of space inside, like in Golf for instance... even more in the trunk. Just not as comfy.

 

wouldn't sticking the CVT in 100% of these be cheaper overall to produce?

 

Def looks better in this gen. Less frills than the last. Nothing special, but as you guys said, a decent beater

 

No, because manual transmission is a gimmick used by auto manufacturers to advertise extremely low starting price, and charge $1,500 for the "optional" automatic/cvt transmission. The models equipped with manual are almost impossible to purchase even if you wanted one, since dealers simply don't order them.

 

2014 Nissan Versa Note

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-1283573/

The original Austin Mini was not designed as a fun-to-drive, sporty small car. Its go-kart-like handling and general chuckability were an unintended byproduct of essential aspects of its design. Its four wheels were pushed to the absolute corners of the car to maximize interior space, and its front-wheel-drive layout and transversely mounted engine were in contrast to the rear-wheel-drive, longitudinal layouts of the day.

The result was a highly economical car with space for four and some luggage that just happened to be an absolute hoot to drive. Nissan has followed a similar path in the design of its Versa Note, which strives to provide the maximum amount of space and efficiency in a minimal footprint. On this front, it's successful.

First, we must salute Nissan for departing from the styling of the malformed kidney bean it calls the Versa Sedan. The Versa Note is a fashionably conservative design that neither offends nor excites. The front fascia is arguably its most conservative point, with high-mounted headlights and a sharper, cleaner version of Nissan's familial grille. The tail, with its funky I-don't-know-what-shape-I-am taillights contributes most of the car's flair. The large, spacious greenhouse, particularly up front, keeps passengers from feeling hemmed-in while letting in plenty of light.


Where the Versa Note distinguishes itself from the sedan with its exterior styling, the two are far too closely related in the cabin. Nissan tries to maintain the conservative-but-different styling of the exterior with its cabin design, but the results are less successful. It feels generic, and the materials simply aren't up to scratch in 2013. Hard plastics dominate, with a half-hearted attempt at soft-touch plastic on the dash. The doors feature a modicum of padding on the armrest, but the entire door card assembly flexed when we pushed them. In fact, the poor interior is easily one of the biggest knocks against the Versa Note. The reality of the subcompact market is that cabins are getting better (look no further than the Ford Fiesta Titanium), and Nissan is not competing. We'd rather have a shortage of room and a clean, modern cabin than 100 cubic feet of black plastic. There are others, though, who likely would disagree, as the Versa has traditionally sold well based on the value of its class-leading interior volume rather than its choice of materials.

We aren't exaggerating, the backseat of the Versa Note is enormous, with just over two inches more legroom than the midsize, rear-wheel-drive Infiniti M luxury sedan. It's comfortable back there, too, with a nicely cushioned bench that avoids the penalty-box feel of some competitors. In fact, the Versa Note is actually classified by the EPA as a compact, despite its footprint and price being more in line with subcompacts. The EPA's notoriously wonky classification system categorizes a car based on interior volume, which is why the Versa Note is in the same EPA class as a Bentley Continental GT. Trunk space is ample too, with a very generous 18.8 cubic feet available when the rear seats are up and 38.8 cubic feet with when the split-fold seats are down.


From behind the wheel, visibility in the Note is quite good. The tall, open greenhouse combined with the upright seating position offer great sightlines from behind the wheel. Being behind said wheel, though, isn't all that great of an experience. The Versa Note's seats are overly narrow, which gives it a rather sporting feel at first, only to have it grow tiresome as time with the car wears on. The padding on the seats is overly soft as well, meaning that while it's tight, there isn't a lot of support. It should be noted, though, that unlike the 2012 Versa Sedan we reviewed, our tester did include a center armrest for the driver. The urethane steering wheel is swiped from the Sentra, and much like that car, is merely okay to operate. It does feel rather cheap – Nissan might do well to swallow the extra expense and wrap the wheel in leather, as it'd really class up the car's cabin.

The Versa Note's big selling point, besides its interior volume, is the tech and infotainment feature-set that it offers customers. A backup camera isn't an unusual feature nowadays, but Nissan's Around View monitor, which takes the feeds from four different cameras and projects a "360-degree" overhead image onto the infotainment screen, is positively aristocratic in the world of subcompacts. On top of that, NissanConnect, the Japanese giant's infotainment service, packs in Google and Google Send-to-Car map service along with weather and traffic information, hands-free text messaging and, of course, Pandora and Bluetooth integration. Add to that other class-above features like heated seats, push-button start, navigation and a right-sized (for the class) 5.8-inch touchscreen, and the Versa Note presents itself as an absolute steal for our car's $19,280 as-tested price.

Nissan has really gone all out with infotainment and what would normally be thought of as high-dollar features in the Versa Note's cabin. They aren't supported, however, by an overly sophisticated powertrain or mechanicals. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine squeaks out 109 horsepower at a lofty 6,000 rpm (just 500 revs south of redline) and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Fortunately, it's tasked with hauling around just 2,482 pounds in our top-spec Versa Note SV trim, which makes the low power less of a drawback than you might think.


If a non-sporting car is wearing a Nissan badge, it's only logical to assume there's a continuously variable transmission in the mix. Like other Nissans, the Versa Note's Xtronic CVT is actually quite tolerable – Nissan has made tremendous progress with its CVTs over the years, and it's really showing here. It lacks the rubber-band feel and tendency to pin the revs up high that typify less evolved CVTs. The pairing of the small engine and belt-driven transmission contributes to an impressive 31 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Immediately apparent on the first turn of the wheel is that the Versa Note is not a sporting small hatch like a Mazda2 or Honda Fit Sport, the two best driver's cars in this class. The steering is electric, and not particularly communicative, either on center or mid-turn. It's rather low effort, and while we prefer a bit of heft in our steering, Nissan has done a good job making the tiller feel light without feeling overboosted - striking this balance really contributes to a small car's sense of mild tossability and agility.

Paired with a relaxed throttle response, the Versa Note is an easy car to drive smoothly. The accelerator is predictable and linear in its action, making dialing in just the right amount of thrust rather easy.

Remember what we were saying about Nissan splurging on the cabin tech and skimping on the mechanicals? The brakes are the biggest offender, with ten-inch front rotors and eight-inch rear drums. Don't let the antique rear hardware scare you, though, as our experience with the Versa Note's brakes proved to be largely positive. Thanks to electronic brake force distribution, working the stop pedal is a confidence-inspiring experience. The brakes are predictable and easy to modulate, which in today's world will always be preferable to some cutting edge tech that hasn't been perfected. They may not look like much, but these brakes are just fine.


With 109 horsepower, 107 pound-feet of torque and a weight-to-power ratio of 22.7 pounds per horsepower, are you really surprised that the Versa Note could, at best, be described as pokey? There's not a lot of grunt to work with here, but that's actually okay, as the 1.6-liter engine feels smooth, and so long as you don't punish it, it will still return adequate fuel economy. Mid-range torque is actually somewhat potent, and while we had to get aggressive with the gas pedal, we rarely found ourselves in a situation where we couldn't produce the required amount of power, provided we planned properly. As we mentioned above, Nissan has really figured this CVT thing out, building a transmission that is smooth, predictable and won't kick the revs up any higher than is necessary. It's not annoying, which might be the biggest compliment we can give a CVT.

While there's nothing overly wrong with the power on offer, the aural byproduct of that grunt is buzzy and rather unpleasant. It's not too pronounced, but when you really get into the accelerator, a thrashy noise rears its head and enters the cabin. Drive reasonably, though, and the noise is rarely disruptive to the driving experience. Road noise from impacts is what we'd call average, and there is some tire roar depending on the kind of road surface you're traveling down, but wind noise was nicely sorted.

With independent struts up front and a torsion-beam suspension in back paired with 16-inch alloys wrapped in low-rolling resistance, 195/55R16 Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 tires, the Versa Note is a dullard in the corners compared to its hotter competitors. There's nothing particularly offensive about its handling - body roll is present, but doesn't make for a disruptive or unstable experience. It's a similar story with dive under braking. The overall sense of feedback through the seat is there, but requires a bit of concentration to really notice. The fact that this car isn't a corner carver isn't shocking, but neither is the fact that the Versa Note's ride is quite nice for its class. There's a fair amount of vertical motion, but it's not jarring or crashy like some competitors (we're looking at you, Toyota Yaris). Much like the oversized cabin, the ride of the Versa Note feels more suited to a larger vehicle.


As it stands, our fuel economy in the Versa Note, around 32 mpg combined, was near the bottom of its EPA economy ratings. While netting the 40 mpg highway rating is probably doable, we didn't find getting there a particularly easy task. We'll happily split the blame for that between your author's somewhat aggressive throttle use and the car's own shortcomings. The Versa Note's powertrain is just fine and feels ideally suited to the car's size, but we'd love to see Nissan really push and do more with its powertrain technology. While adding features like stop-start and active aerodynamics to the Versa Note will add to its price, being able to brag about best-in-class fuel economy (a title held among gas-powered cars by Ford's three-cylinder, turbocharged Fiesta and its 45-mpg rating) is worth its weight in gold.

While our Versa Note was loaded, it's possible to order the basic car for under $14,000, which is an absolute bargain based just on the cabin space it offers. That car is called the Versa Note 1.6 S. The next trim, the 1.6 S Plus, bumps the price to $15,240, while our top-spec 1.6 SV starts at $15,990. To get all the goodies like Around View, navigation and heated seats, though, you'll need both the SL Package ($1,700) and the SL Tech Package ($800). Those two packs bump the price to $18,490, although there are no other factory-installed options after that. Add on our tester's $790 destination-and-handling charge, and you're looking at an as-tested price for our test car of $19,280.


Now, by a fun coincidence, this review was preceded by Seyth Miersma's piece on the Ford Fiesta Titanium yesterday. Directionally, Note shoppers might want to have a look at the Fiesta, as it avoids a number of complaints we have with the Versa. But before we get to the bad, it's important to note (yuck yuck) that the Nissan is hardly defenseless in this fight. It's lighter and more fuel efficient than the Fiesta, which only returns 27-city mpg and 38-highway mpg. They start around the same price, $14,000, but even with the Titanium trim coming in at $18,800 (Miersma's tester was over $20,000 with navigation), the Versa's load of tech is the better bargain. It makes up for this with a modicum more power and torque (120 hp and 112 lb-ft), a far more cosseting ride and a cabin that blows the Versa Note's hard plastic interior out of the water. If it's the latter two things you value, the Fiesta might be your cup of tea.

Coming back to the original Austin Mini, the Versa Note follows the Mini's brief, but takes its formula to extremes, and conjures up a decidedly different character that focuses on space, technology and optional goodies. The fact of the matter is that the Versa Note, like the Mini, is a car that will appeal to a lot of people. It'll just do it with Around View, Pandora integration and Google rather than driving chops.

Indeed, the ultimate question you'll need to ask yourself about the Versa Note is what you need and want in a subcompact car. If you value the absolute maximum amount of space for the very least amount of money, the Nissan will serve you very well. It's the same story if a car's infotainment systems are high on your priorities list - Nissan has done an excellent job of fitting the Versa Note with class-exclusive features that will make a driver's time behind the wheel easier and less stressful. But if you want to have fun while driving each day or value a high-quality cabin, you'll be better served by a Mazda2/Honda Fit Sport or a Ford Fiesta, respectively. Still, the value-for-money proposition that is the Versa Note makes for a solid competitor in an increasingly tough class of cars.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/29/2...an-versa-note/

 

Wow this one of the nicer subcompact cars that Nissan has come out with.

Oh and more importantly

Now that would definitely silence skeptics of the CVT.

Nissan has proven that CVTs can work in non-hybrid cars as well

 

much improved over the outgoing model. Still I'd rather have a Fiesta

 

vomit or coma inducing interior.

 

Simple cost-cutting....in this case, perhaps carried away. That's how Nissan is able to undercut even Kia and Hyundai on base-model Versa pricing.

 

A nice overall package betrayed by a disgraceful interior. Really Nissan???

 

Most of this class has hard touch plastic interiors. It's a freaking sub compact car. Their little line about trading interior room for a softer touch is more proof that automotive journalists are completely out of touch with reality.

And I say that as someone who is not a fan of the Versa.

 

this is cheap small family car... i dont see why would anyone get all those options. My wife has old generation and it has a lot more space than Fiesta.

So 15k sounds OK.

 

I never knew consumers shopping for a cheap econobox were so concerned with issues like at-the-limit handling dynamics, brake fade, and Nürburgring lap times. I guess they are in the alternate universe where automotive journalists reside.

People bought the last Versa because it was:

1. Cheap
2. Much larger than the competition

It sounds like this one is more of the same, which is fine.

 

Nissan Note Gets Supercharged DIG-S Engine and Dynamic Styling Pack for Geneva [w/Video

Click here to view more photos

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/02/nis...ged-dig-s.html