Nissan NOTE : DO FAMILIES NEED TO TAKE NOTE?

Nissan's `Supermini with a little extra', the Note, has much to recommend it, thinks June Neary

People move up to larger cars often without thinking. Just why do you need a Family Hatchback for example, when one of the latest `MPV-style' superminis would probably do just as well? These are small cars that are anything but small inside, instead boasting MPV-style versatility that would put most Focus-sized Family Hatchback-class cars to shame. Nissan's Note is a typical example of the supermini-MPV breed and I thought I'd put one to the test. First impressions were promising, car looking practical but purposeful and benefiting from the more streamlined headlights and neater nose brought in at the time of the last facelift. But you don't buy something like this for its looks.

I thought that the interior felt very spacious and an inspection of the PR blurb revealed this was because of the fact that the wheelbase of 2.60m is longer than that of cars like the MK5 Volkswagen Golf. This available space can be optimised between luggage and rear passengers with the aid of a sliding rear bench seat as well as the usual folding rear arrangement. The Note's most interesting feature, however, is the split level luggage bay. Most would never know that beneath a flat loading deck there's a 250mm deep second layer that can keep valuables out of the way of prying eyes. The cover can even be set in the vertical position to keep your shopping in check should you get a little over excited on the way home. Cup holders, bag holding hooks and umbrella stowing points also hint at the Note's attention to detail.

The compact dimensions and light steering make the Note quite a bit more manoeuvrable in tight corners than other small cars, while the multi-link suspension definitely makes light work of high street bumps - and we have more than a few around my nephew's school. The Note feels highly nimble on the road with body-roll well controlled, a firm ride and steering that's light but accurate. It's perfect for nipping through the city streets and it inspires confidence thanks to good all-round visibility and a tight turning circle. If you really value a comfortable ride, one of the Note's rivals may be a better option but if you like your small cars with a taught, sporty feel, this could be it. The driving position is very comfortable indeed, thanks to carefully designed seats with adjustment controls that are easy. Under-confident drivers will be relieved by the fact that the headlights are visible from the driver's seat, giving an easy width reference. Three engine choices are initially being offered. The two petrol units comprise an 87bhp 1.4-litre as well as a 108bhp 1.6-litre powerplant but the big seller is likely to be the diesel engine, a 1.5-litre dCi common rail unit borrowed from the conventional Micra supermini range with 85bhp on tap. This was the unit I tried and performance from the 1.5-litre common rail diesel is respectable if not rapid, getting to 60mph in seconds. Of more interest to most customers will be a combined fuel economy of 62.8mpg. Naturally, this will dip if you load your Note up to the gunwales but not by a disastrous amount and emissions of 119g/km pop it into an affordable tax band. What's more, this engine has a beefy 147lb/ft of torque to rely on, which means that it'll pull a loaded vehicle without too much rowing with the gear lever.

Three trim levels are available (Visia, Acenta and Tekna) at prices starting from around £10,000. Standard equipment includes anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, front electric windows, four airbags, the sliding rear seat and a CD-based stereo with MP3 player connector. My test car came fitted with Nissan's `Smart' keyless locking system which I found to be anything but `Smart'. You're constantly fiddling with the thing and wondering why it won't start and what you've forgotten to do. There's also no way of knowing when you leave the car whether you've actually locked it, since the keyfob's sensors sense when you're close to the doors and unlock them automatically. I'd avoid this option.

Overall, I liked the Note enough to question why anyone would buy a Micra - or any other conventional supermini come to that. If you're shopping for a small car, you really owe it to yourself to check out this clever sub-niche of the market.