By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Nissan US Media
Following a highly successful debut as a 2014 model, the Nissan Versa Note enters its second year of production with a number of significant enhancements, led by the addition of new Versa Note SR and Versa Note SL trim levels.
Exterior
Its dramatic shape and proportions provide an energetic look, along with its steeply sloped front windshield and deeply sculpted doors, Versa Note features a dramatic character line called the squash line.
The iconic front grille and large multi-reflector headlights are paired with Note’s boomerang rear taillights, which are similar to those found on the Nissan 370Z and Nissan JUKE. The special vented taillight design includes special outlets and lip to help guide air away from the body for reduced air turbulence and improved rear lamp visibility in bad weather. Fog lights and heated sideview mirrors are also available.
Interior
The roomy interior is also a perfect match for the stylish Versa Note exterior. The five passenger cabin provides a spacious total interior volume of 112.9 cubic feet and ample cargo space of 18.8 cubic feet. Cargo area liftover height has been reduced by 1.7 inches for easier loading and unloading of heavy or bulky objects. The interior also offers front headroom of 40.8 inches and rear legroom of 38.3 inches, making it both kid friendly and adult comfortable.
Among the 2015 Versa Note’s unexpected and affordable technology is the class-exclusive availability of Nissan’s Around View Monitor. The system utilizes four small superwide-angle cameras mounted on the front, side and rear of the vehicle to provide a virtual 360° view of objects around the vehicle, with selectable split-screen close-ups of the front, rear and curb views, helping the driver maneuver the car into tight spots. The Around View Monitor is standard on the SL grade.
Also standard on SL is the advanced NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps with SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link, Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio and a 5.8-inch color touch-screen display. The NissanConnect with Navigation System also provides warnings for curves, speed limit information and an eco route setting.
Engine and Transmission
Anchoring the front-wheel drive Versa Note is a 1.6-liter HR16DE 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm. The engine includes a range of cutting-edge technologies, including a dual fuel injector system that allows a wider injection of fuel, with the smaller nozzles delivering a spray approximately 57 percent finer than the previous generation single injector design’s particle size to help achieve more complete combustion.
Versa Note SL is offered with the next-generation Xtronic transmission. The Xtronic transmission allows continuous change of the transmission gear ratio by connecting the two pulleys with a metallic belt and changing their diameter by using hydraulic pressure.
In addition to the advanced engine and transmission designs, excellent everyday drivability is provided by an independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, torsion beam rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar, and electric power steering. Braking is provided by standard power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes with standard Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist.
Summary
While sharing many attributes with the popular Versa Sedan, the Versa Note has its own distinct look, feel and added hatchback utility. It offers an extensive list of key features such as an Energetic exterior styling with steeply sloped windshield, sculpted body panels, smart packaging and ample cargo space, with available with Divide-N-Hide Adjustable Floor.
Fuel economy is rated at 31 MPG city, 40 MPG highway and 35 MPG combined. The manufacturer’s suggested retail base price starts at $17,960.00, the one I drove included Carpeted Floor Mats, Cargo Mat and the Technology Package, and it came in at $19,740.00.00 including destination charges.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
