Nissan Note

Nissan Note: which version to buy and why

If you want one Nissan Note and not a catalogue of all 37 variants, pick by job, not by year. For city sprints with the shortest measured 0–100 km/h, the Hybrid 1.2 AT (80 hp in 2 generation, restyling, 2016-11-01–2020-11-30, or 79 hp in 2 generation, 2012-09-01–2016-10-31) is the only layout that hits 7.5 s — 4.3 s quicker than the Gasoline 1.2 MT 80 hp (13.7 s) in the same Hatchback 5-door.

If you want one Nissan Note and not a catalogue of all 37 variants, pick by job, not by year. For city sprints with the shortest measured 0–100 km/h, the Hybrid 1.2 AT (80 hp in 2 generation, restyling, 2016-11-01–2020-11-30, or 79 hp in 2 generation, 2012-09-01–2016-10-31) is the only layout that hits 7.5 s — 4.3 s quicker than the Gasoline 1.2 MT 80 hp (13.7 s) in the same Hatchback 5-door. For the lowest measured mixed consumption, the Diesel 1.5 MT 90 hp in 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling uses 3.6 l/100 km mixed, 1.1 l/100 km less than the Turbo Gasoline 1.2 MT 98 hp (4.3 mixed) and 2.7 l/100 km less than the 1 generation Gasoline 1.6 MT 110 hp (6.6 mixed). For the highest measured top speed, the Gasoline 1.6 MT 110 hp in 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling is 183 km/h, 2 km/h above the Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp (181 km/h) and 38 km/h above the Hybrid 1.2 AT (145 km/h). AWD exists only as 1.2 CVT 79 hp in 2 generation and as 1.5 AT / 1.5 CVT 109 hp in 1 generation; every other version is FWD. Performance, mpg, kerb weight and clearance are not measured on every line — those cells stay not measured below, not guessed.

Which generation changed what

1 generation (2005-01-01–2008-09-30) is the only period with a 68 hp Diesel 1.5 MT, a Gasoline 1.5 MT 109 hp, AWD 1.5 CVT 109 hp, and a 46 l tank on every version. Ground clearance spans 145–155 mm. The slowest measured 0–100 is this generation’s Diesel 1.5 MT 68 hp at 16.5 s.

1 generation, restyling (2008-01-01–2013-06-30) drops the 68 hp diesel and the Gasoline 1.5 MT. It adds a second 1.5 CVT at 116 hp (1130 kg, 125 mm clearance — 20 mm lower than the 109 hp 1.5 CVT FWD at 145 mm). Diesel 1.5 MT 86 hp clearance rises to 168 mm (from 150 mm on the matching 86 hp 1.5 MT in 1 generation). CO2 is measured on three petrol manuals/automatics (149–150 g/km); it is not measured on the diesels here.

2 generation (2012-09-01–2016-10-31) switches the small petrol to 1198 cm³ Inline 3, introduces Turbo 1.2 MT / 1.2 CVT 98 hp, Hybrid 1.2 AT 79 hp, Diesel 1.5 MT 90 hp, and the unique 1.6 MT 138 hp. Tank is 41 l on all ten versions (5 l less than 1 generation). AWD shrinks to one line: 1.2 CVT 79 hp AWD at 1110 kg versus 1040 kg FWD — 70 kg extra, 8.9% heavier.

2 generation, restyling (2016-11-01–2020-11-30) keeps nine versions, loses AWD and the 1.6 MT 138 hp, and lifts Hybrid 1.2 AT from 79 to 80 hp and from 1170 to 1250 kg (+80 kg). Turbo 1.2 CVT 98 hp kerb falls from 1144 kg to 1090 kg (−54 kg) and 0–100 from 12.6 s to 12.2 s.

Specs: engines by version

All engines sit Front, transverse. Gearboxes in the data are Manual, Variable or Automatic. Drive is FWD unless named AWD.

2 generation, restyling (Hatchback 5-door, 9 versions)

Injection: Distributed injection (multi-point) on the 80 hp petrols, Hybrid, and 1.6; Direct injection (direct) on both 98 hp Turbos; not measured on both 90 hp Diesels. Compression: 10.7 (80 hp petrol), 12 (98 hp Turbo), 9.8 (1.6), 15.5 (diesel). Bore × stroke: 78 × 83.6 (1.2), 76 × 88 (1.6), 76 × 80.5 (1.5 diesel).

2 generation repeats the 80/98 hp 1.2 pair and the 109 hp 1.6, plus: 1.2 CVT 79 hp FWD and 1.2 CVT 79 hp AWD (both Gasoline, 92, 106 Nm, Variable); 1.6 MT 138 hp (101 kW @ 6000, 163 Nm, 1597, Gasoline 95, 4 Inline, No boost, Manual 5, FWD); Hybrid 1.2 AT 79 hp (58 kW @ 5400, 254 Nm @ 5200 — 144 Nm more than the restyled Hybrid’s 110 Nm); Turbo 1.2 CVT 98 hp with 147 Nm (5 Nm more than the restyled 98 hp CVT’s 142 Nm).

1 generation, restyling: 1.4 MT 88 hp (1386, 128 Nm, Manual 5); 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT 110 hp (1598, 153 Nm, Manual 5 or Automatic 4); 1.5 AT 109 hp AWD (Automatic 4); 1.5 CVT 109 hp FWD; 1.5 CVT 116 hp FWD (156 Nm @ 3600); Diesel 1.5 MT 86 hp (5 gears) and 1.5 MT 103 hp (6 gears, 240 Nm).

1 generation: same 88 hp 1.4 MT and 110 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT; Gasoline 1.5 CVT 109 hp FWD (kerb 1080 kg, compression 10.5, 78 × 78.4); 1.5 AT 109 hp AWD (1150 kg, 155 mm); 1.5 MT 109 hp FWD (engine position not measured); 1.5 CVT 109 hp AWD (1190 kg); Diesel 1.5 MT 68 / 86 / 103 hp.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1.6 MT 138 hp in 2 generation is 86.4 hp/l; Turbo 1.2 MT / 1.2 CVT 98 hp is 81.8 hp/l; 1.5 CVT 116 hp is 77.4 hp/l; naturally aspirated 80 hp 1.2 is 66.8 hp/l; Diesel 1.5 MT 68 hp is 46.5 hp/l. The 138 hp 1.6 makes 29 hp more than the 109 hp 1.6 MT on the same 1597 cm³ (+26.6%). Turbo 98 hp versus NA 80 hp on 1198 cm³ is +18 hp (+22.5%) and, on the restyled Manual, +37 Nm (147 vs 110).

Performance and mpg

Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among published figures:

• Hybrid 1.2 AT 80 hp (2 generation, restyling) and 1.2 AT 79 hp (2 generation): 7.5 s. Top speed 145 km/h — lowest measured. Mixed mpg not measured. CO2 109 g/km on the restyle; not measured on 2 generation.
• 1.6 MT 110 hp (1 generation and restyling): 10.7 s, 183 km/h. Mixed 6.6 l/100 km (city 8.5 / highway 5.5).
• Diesel 1.5 MT 103 hp (both first-generation bodies): 11.1 s, 180 km/h, mixed 5.1.
• 1.6 AT 110 hp: 11.7 s, 174 km/h. Mixed 6.8 (restyle) vs 7.0 (1 generation) — the restyle Automatic uses 0.2 l/100 km less mixed.
• Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp (both 2nd-generation bodies): 11.8 s, 181 km/h, mixed 4.3, city 5.2, highway 3.8, CO2 99 g/km, Euro 5. Lightest Turbo kerb on the restyle CVT is 1090 kg; Manual is 1124 kg. Weight per hp: 1124/98 = 11.47 kg/hp.
• Diesel 1.5 MT 90 hp (2 generation / restyling): 11.9 s, 179 km/h, mixed 3.6, city 4.2, highway 3.2, CO2 92 g/km. Versus Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp: 0.1 s slower, 2 km/h slower, but 0.7 l/100 km less mixed and 7 g/km less CO2.
• Turbo 1.2 CVT 98 hp restyle: 12.2 s, 172 km/h, mixed 5.2. Versus same-engine Manual: +0.4 s, −9 km/h, +0.9 mixed. Pre-restyle Turbo 1.2 CVT 98 hp: 12.6 s, 173 km/h, mixed 5.1 — restyle CVT is 0.4 s quicker and 54 kg lighter (1090 vs 1144).
• 1.4 MT 88 hp: 13.1 s, 165 km/h, mixed 6.3.
• Diesel 1.5 MT 86 hp restyle: 13.3 s, 164 km/h, mixed 4.5; same 86 hp in 1 generation: 13.0 s, 168 km/h, mixed 5.1 — restyle is 0.3 s slower, 4 km/h slower, 0.6 l/100 km better mixed.
• 1.2 MT 80 hp (both 2nd-generation bodies): 13.7 s, 170 km/h, mixed 4.7, CO2 109, Euro 5. Versus Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp: +1.9 s, −11 km/h, +0.4 mixed.
• Diesel 1.5 MT 68 hp (1 generation only): 16.5 s, 155 km/h, mixed 5.2. Versus 86 hp diesel in the same generation: +3.5 s, −13 km/h, +0.1 mixed — 18 hp buys almost all of the acceleration gap and almost none of the fuel gap.

Not measured 0–100 and top speed: both 1.2 CVT 80 hp and 79 hp (FWD and AWD); 1.6 MT / 1.6 CVT 109 hp; 1.6 MT 138 hp; Diesel 1.5 CVT 90 hp; all 1.5 AT / 1.5 CVT 109/116 hp; Gasoline 1.5 MT 109 hp.

Hybrid 1.2 AT 80 hp is 210 kg heavier than 1.2 MT 80 hp (1250 vs 1040 kg) — +20.2% — and 15.62 kg/hp versus 13.0 kg/hp, yet 0–100 is 6.2 s shorter. That gap is the reason to buy Hybrid if the data’s 7.5 s figure is the criterion; it is also why the Hybrid’s 145 km/h cap is the reason not to buy it if cruising speed is the criterion.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Tank: 46 l on every 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling version; 41 l on every 2 generation and restyle version (−5 l).

Kerb, where measured:

• Lightest: 1.2 CVT 80/79 hp FWD and 1.2 MT 80 hp — 1040 kg. Gross not measured on those CVTs; 1.2 MT 80 hp gross 1510 kg.
• Hybrid restyle 1.2 AT 80 hp: 1250 kg / 1525 kg gross — heaviest kerb in the whole model. Payload from those two figures: 275 kg. 2 generation Hybrid: 1170 / 1445, payload 275 kg as well.
• AWD 1.2 CVT 79 hp: 1110 kg vs 1040 FWD.
• 1 generation AWD 1.5 CVT 109 hp: 1190 kg vs 1080 kg FWD 1.5 CVT 109 hp — 110 kg for AWD.
• Diesel 90 hp: 1132 kg / 1615 kg (payload 483 kg) — largest measured payload in the second generation.
• 1.6 MT / 1.6 CVT 109 hp and 1.6 MT 138 hp: kerb and gross not measured.

Ground clearance:

• Highest: Diesel 1.5 MT 86 hp and 1.5 MT 103 hp in 1 generation, restyling — 168 mm.
• 1.6 MT / 1.6 CVT 109 hp (both 2nd-generation bodies): 155 mm.
• NA 1.2 CVT 80/79 hp: 150 mm.
• Most 2nd-generation 1.2/1.5 lines: 131 mm (Hybrid 2 generation: 130 mm).
• Lowest: 1.5 CVT 116 hp — 125 mm.

Wheels, where listed: 185/65 R15 and 195/55 R16 on most 2nd-generation 1.2/1.5; NA 1.2 CVT also 185/70 R14. 1 generation, restyling 1.5 AT / 1.5 CVT 109 hp: 185/65 R15 and 175/65 R14. 1.5 CVT 116 hp: 185/65 R15 and 185/55 R15. Many first-generation petrols and diesels: wheels not measured.

Chassis is Independent, spring front and Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear except 1.6 109/138 hp, which use Semi-independent, torsion rear. Brakes: Ventilated disc front, Drum rear — except 1.6 MT 138 hp, rear Disc.

Which version to choose

Buy Hybrid 1.2 AT if the number that matters is 7.5 s. In 2 generation, restyling it is 80 hp / 110 Nm / 1250 kg; in 2 generation it is 79 hp / 254 Nm / 1170 kg. Same 7.5 s and 145 km/h. Mixed consumption not measured, so do not pick Hybrid on mpg from this dataset. The restyle car is 80 kg heavier; the pre-restyle Hybrid has 144 Nm more listed torque.

Buy Diesel 1.5 MT 90 hp (Manual 5) in 2 generation or 2 generation, restyling if the number is litres. Mixed 3.6, CO2 92, Euro 5, 200 Nm @ 1750, 11.9 s, 179 km/h, 1132 kg. The matching 1.5 CVT 90 hp shares 90 hp / 200 Nm / 1132 kg / Euro 5 but 0–100, vmax and mpg are not measured — do not assume the CVT matches the Manual’s 3.6 mixed.

Buy Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp if you want petrol, a 5-speed Manual, and the best measured petrol mixed figure in the second generation (4.3). Direct injection (direct), compression 12, 11.8 s, 181 km/h, 99 g/km. Versus NA 1.2 MT 80 hp: +18 hp, +37 Nm, −1.9 s, +11 km/h, −0.4 mixed, +84 kg (1124 vs 1040). Versus Diesel 90 hp Manual: +8 hp, −53 Nm, −0.1 s, +2 km/h, +0.7 mixed.

Buy Turbo 1.2 CVT 98 hp only if you need Variable and accept the measured cost: restyle 12.2 s / 172 km/h / 5.2 mixed / 1090 kg; pre-restyle 12.6 s / 173 km/h / 5.1 mixed / 1144 kg. The restyle CVT is the lighter, quicker CVT; the Manual remains quicker still by 0.4 s and 9 km/h.

Buy NA 1.2 MT 80 hp or 1.2 CVT 80 hp for the 1040 kg floor and 92-octane on the CVT. 1.2 MT 80 hp is the only 80 hp petrol with a full measured set (13.7 s, 170 km/h, 4.7 mixed). 1.2 CVT 80 hp has 0–100, vmax, mpg, CO2 and eco class all not measured; it does have 150 mm clearance and 185/70 R14 among its wheels.

Buy 1.6 MT 110 hp in 1 generation or 1 generation, restyling for the fastest measured petrol without turbo: 10.7 s and 183 km/h. Mixed 6.6 versus 4.3 on Turbo 1.2 MT 98 hp is +2.3 l/100 km. 1.6 AT 110 hp trades 1.0 s and 9 km/h for Automatic 4 (11.7 s, 174 km/h) and uses 6.8–7.0 mixed.

Buy 1.6 MT 138 hp in 2 generation only if peak hp is the filter — 138 hp, 163 Nm, 86.4 hp/l, rear Disc. 0–100, vmax, mpg, kerb: not measured. The 109 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 CVT in both 2nd-generation bodies have the same gap: 155 mm clearance is known; speed and consumption are not.

Buy AWD only if AWD is the filter. Options: 1.2 CVT 79 hp AWD (2 generation, +70 kg vs FWD twin); 1.5 AT 109 hp AWD (both first-generation bodies); 1.5 CVT 109 hp AWD (1 generation, 1190 kg). Performance not measured on all three AWD lines.

Buy 1.4 MT 88 hp for the smallest first-generation petrol with a complete measured set (13.1 s, 165 km/h, 6.3 mixed, 1092–1095 kg). It is 0.6 s quicker than 1.2 MT 80 hp but uses 1.6 l/100 km more mixed.

Avoid 1.5 MT 68 hp unless the only goal is the cheapest diesel on paper: 16.5 s, 155 km/h, 17.13 kg/hp (1165/68). The 86 hp diesel in the same generation is 3.5 s quicker at almost the same mixed (5.1 vs 5.2). The 103 hp / 6-speed diesel is 5.4 s quicker than 68 hp at the same 5.1 mixed as the 86 hp — extra hp here buys time, not fuel.

Reliability / problems: this dataset has no failure rates, service intervals or recall counts. What it does show is which rows leave the buyer without a measured 0–100, mpg or weight: treat those versions as unspecified on those axes, not as equivalent to the nearest named twin.