Nissan NOTE 1.6 Acenta 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Note 1.6 Acenta’s 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder, 16v petrol engine produces 108bhp at 6000 rpm, while the torque figures stand at 113 lb-ft at 4400 rpm. This translates to a top speed of 114mph, with the car travelling from 0-62 mph in 10.7 seconds.

The Note’s narrow body and light steering make it an easy car to drive around town, while the steering provides good feedback at higher speeds. Despite the car’s firm suspension, the ride is still relatively smooth. The 1.6-litre engine is quiet and refined.

The Note’s two-tier dashboard is well-organised and easy to use. Getting comfortable should be easier than in Visia models as although the steering wheel still does not adjust for reach, the driver’s seat will alter for height.

All-round visibility is excellent.

The Note’s styling is a little plain but inside the cabin high-quality materials are used and the car feels well built.

As the mid-range trim, Acenta cars add alloy wheels, air-conditioning and electric rear windows to the basic specification of the lower grade Visia models. This gives drivers all the basic essentials they need for a decent price, making this model the best value for money within the range.

The Note has a tall roof-line which makes for a spacious interior. The rear seats slide back and forth allowing you to determine the balance between rear legroom and luggage capacity although getting five people in the Note will be a squeeze.

The boot is a little small, with 280 litres offered with the seats up but this increases to 1,332 litres when the seats are down. There are also a number of compartments for extra storage space found within the cabin, making this a great car for families.

In terms of safety kit, all models have twin front and side airbags and the Acenta also benefits from curtain airbags as well. The car is equipped with an immobiliser and deadlocks to protect it from theft and reliability is excellent as the car performed well in the JD Power survey.

The car also comes with a three-year warranty for 60,000 miles. This combines with low running costs to make the car cheap and practical to keep on the road.

The Acenta is priced at £13,400 which is a reasonable price for a car of the Note's quality.

Road tax is fairly mid range under price band F and insurance premiums fall in the lower half of the scale under price bracket 15. The Note also has average fuel economy at 42.8mpg and average green credentials with a Euro 5 emissions rating and a carbon footprint of 149g/km.

The Note is amongst the most reliable cars in its class but unfortunately resale values are weak and this means rival models could offer buyers better value for money.