2014 Nissan Versa Note Test Drive & Compact Car Video Review

The model tested here sports the Metallic Peacock paint scheme which is the feature color for this car and will be seen on the majority of the models sold here in the U.S. If this color is too much then rest easy because there are a handful of more subdued colors. As far as styling goes, the Versa Note's design is more in-line with the direction Nissan is taking. The overall shape is conservative compared to other cars in this segment but there are some stylish design cues like the: grille that bleeds into the headlights, the squash (character line) on the profile of the car, and Nissan Juke inspired taillights.

Under the hood is a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine making 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft. of torque. The overall weight of the Versa Note is only 2400 pounds so the engine is adequate enough. Fuel economy ratings for the CVT transmission are 31 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.

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[casionerd]

In base form (around $13K), the Versa is a good deal for what it is.

With some additional features ($15-$16K) you're in the price range of the Versa competitors' base models. You're starting to get to the point where you could get a car that seems more "fun" or "refined" than a Versa for the same price.

Get a decked out Versa ($19K) and you're getting a car with the performance and build quality of a $13K car. 

Not only are you driving around in mountains in the heat with the AC running, but you're probably about 50lbs heavier than the average person. Your driving factors kept the MPG on the low end. Meanwhile, some other guy in the same car is getting 10% better fuel economy than what Nissan claims. That's why it's called average fuel economy.

If you want to know what kind of MPG you can expect you have to be psychic and use an equation that would make Einstein's mind explode. You'd have to walk up to the car and tell it where you live, your driving habits, elevation, where you fill up, where you're going to go, what the weather is going to be like for the next year, how much you weigh, how much your passengers and luggage are going to weigh each day, what road material you'll be driving on and when was the last time it was resurfaces, what time of day will you be driving and what will the traffic be like on each day, will there be any accidents causing you to be idling for long periods of time, will you idle regularly while waiting for someone to get in the care after work or school, when will you be driving into the wind and what will the wind speed be, etc. etc.

Of course, even if that was actually possible, I'm sure you 'd complain about the complexity of the whole thing and suggest that Nissan calculate the average and just post that up.

The only valid complaint is the crash test score.  That's probably a result of shaving weight and trying to make another egg with less drag in efforts to meet CAFE standards and consumers/reviewers focused on a number that can vary drastically depending on an infinite number of factors.  A three star rating is probably equivalent to a five star rating a few years ago.  A three star rating a few years ago is roughly a one star rating today.  This Versa is safer than most of the other cars it will encounter on the roads. 

[danielmarrett]

Another awesome review hitting the critical points everyday drivers need to know.

[PantomimeHorseMusic]

This looks so much like a Honda Fit that I'm surprised they haven't been sued. One of them parked next to my Fit and I couldn't believe it. It's like Nissan looked at the Fit and said, "We should make one of those."

[barna]

I have a 2018 Versa Note SV, bought new three years ago. Has had few issues since very early on, one very annoying is this (which I learned to avoid by adjusting/timing when I shift gear into D) - when ac is on, and after having driven car a little bit (at least ten to fifteen minutes driving around), when I have to shift back into D, whether at drive-thru, or when backing out of parking spot at store, etc, if the cooling system/fan is cycled up at the moment I shift gear into D, the car makes a heavy clunk! And on a real hot day when the cooling system is really revved up, the clunk is enormous! Only when the cooling system/fan is cycled down at the very moment I shift the gear into D then there is no clunk. And if ac is off (during the cool months) then no clunk issue at all, unless I were to drive so long that eventually the cooling system/fan kicks on.
What the heck is this clunk issue?
Dealership thought it was transmission mount, so they retorqued one, but still the clunk issue remains. So I'm bringing it back in shortly for another check, and hopefully a fix once and for all!
But does anyone have this clunk issue? Or know what causes it? Thanks.

[cdman]

I have the the 2015 model it gets 36 to 38 Mpg depending on how you use the pedal it don't take much pressure to get the cvt to get you moving faster

[colinwells]

I have the 2014 SV model and easily get a mixed 36 mpg.

[JPTech]

I own the 2014 Note SL.. here in Montreal, Canada and there is nothing quiet about this car, especially in the summer with the a/c on. And the CVT is the worst part of my car, it's like driving a rubber band.. (I accelerate the engine revs, then the car moves forward.. it's a very annoying delay in city or bumper to bumper driving conditions). If I could afford an Accord or Camry or suv, I would buy one.. for the moment I'm thinking of switching to a Hyundai with a plain old and reliable 4 or 5-speed auto transmission...

[lucy]

I've been consistently getting 35mpg with a mix of city and highway driving.

[dvddmc]

Have 2012 Nissan Versa S Sedan with the CVT  getting an average of 38 Miles to the gallon with mine

[frankevich]

Good review.  Contrary to many reviewers,   I agree with you that the car with the CVT is fairly quiet.  We just purchased a NOTE,  SV trim level and after 300 miles and a first tankful (pump to pump) mileage check,   result:  40.9 mpg.  (dashboard avg. mileage read 42.5 at fill up--a bit optimistic.    But   don't at all understand your experience with 31 mpg....must be a mechanical issue with your car.  Our 300 miles include about half the time myself and the rest with wife.  We are not small folks--I'm 6'2".  Driving included a number of very serious inclines  and about only a third of the time  on a thruway,   the rest around secondary roads in small towns.  We think this car is pretty neat and would recommend it. 

[racers]

3 star frontal impact, 2 star passenger impact... OUCH! Total deal breaker right there without even considering how ugly that front grille is.

[legaladvocate]

Good well rounded pros and cons! I wonder is gas mileage supposed to be with A/C on or off? Ads don't say do they? [As for seat comfort, the Hyundai cars have the same problem with little thigh support for medium to tall drivers.] As for CVT, many have had problems with CVT on the Maxima. [I have an Accent SE 2013 with 5600 miles and CVT transmission and has valve tick upon hard acceleration. 5600 miles!] Good review!

[vms]

I do own this car and get a mpg of around 37+ in mix driving so I think mpg is not a worrying factor. But safety rating is. Does two star in side passenger frontal crash means that the car has failed the crash test? Also I brought his car before the crash results were out. Is there any way that I can go back to Nissan to return the car as I don't want to own a un-safe car.

[WheelieMacBin]

The specs we get for this car in the UK seem in many ways better. Okay, we only get the 1.2 petrol or 1.5 diesel engines, but they seem to suit the car. You guys also don't get the sliding rear seat, which is really useful for shopping. I also noticed that the test car in the video, does not seem to have climate control fitted, but what looks like manual air con? The reviewer didn't mention the stop/start system either. This car is fine for my daily commute in London, but I guess it may not suit conditions elsewhere? The CVT system is pretty much hated in the UK and as such, an unpopular option.

[northstar]

No matter what the ratings, the dealers will still claim this is a safe car.

[jasperwatts]

Heya. Love it oceanic shake What's your opinion about this, guys

[toyotaxp]

Mileage may have been due to how many miles were on the engine and if the car was broke in maybe the mpg would go up

[DN-zhbv]

i just got one, 35 mpg ave is no problem for me

[nabilm]

I'm shocked how Nissan actually has the guts to sell this car with these crash test results. Damn, I mean that's down with the Chinese car manufacturers. Go with the Honda Fit.

[ПетрСидоров-ыг]

hello how to change consumption in miles for kilometers and fahrenheit for celsius. nissan note 2016