Note is big on space, low in price

Nissan's Note offers big car design, lots of interior space, technology and specification, and all for a small car price, writes Trish Whelan.

Customers who buy a Nissan Note hatchback will also like it for its svelte good looks and for the good levels of practicality it offers.

On the outside, the front headlamps sweep down to the grille, all chrome-lined, and that sweeping windscreen. I'm not so sure about the lines to the side coming from the rear lights to the front doors where it meets with one sweeping up from below. But it is certainly eyecatching.

Sit inside and you'll see what I mean about the space. In a C-Segment car, that space is actually more than you'll find in some compact hatches even in the segment above.

The seats offered good support and proved comfy for long trips. As with most cars nowadays, the rear middle one is smaller than the outer two. This seatback pulls down to reveal a pair of cupholders.

I particularly liked the big central speedometer right in front of you with its well spaced out white numbers with the wavy blue light above. A central screen on the dash takes care of the Bluetooth connectivity, reversing camera, and satellite navigation; most other controls are a bit low on the down contained in a circle with the car's temperature reading in the centre, all nicely set off in black shiny trim.

Cubbies include a compartment over the glovebox, big door bins, a pair of cupholders up front. There's just a narrow pull down driver's arm rest.  There's a decent boot area but no spare tyre, just a sealant. But there is room for a skinny spare if you want to buy one.

Power is from a 3-cylinder 1.2 petrol engine with 80hp and 95hp outputs, and a 90hp 1.5 diesel. All are frugal, in A2-A3 Road Tax bands of €190 and €180.  The trip computer showed 6.2 L/100kms during my lengthy time with the car.

The 1.2 version, while it proved enthusiastic enough, wasn't exactly the quietest on the road. And it was a bit slow to gather pace to join motorway traffic at speed, but having reached cruising speed sailed nicely along at 120km/h. It also handled well on ordinary roads, so no complaints there. The engine was matched to a neat 5-speed manual gearbox, and there's a traditional pull-up handbrake.

A real bonus was when I was almost out of fuel, the 'current' range left as you drive shows large in the centre of the speedometer so you can gauge the distance left with that of the nearest filling station. A really helpful feature.

Grades are XE, SV and SVE. The basic trim comes with six airbags, cruise control, central locking, 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth, electric front windows and door mirrors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, Ecometer and Start/Stop system, all as standard. The SV adds manual air con, CD player, 16-inch alloys, all electric windows, heated door mirrors and steering wheel mounted controls. The SVE further adds automatic air conditioning, Nissan Connect, the Around View Monitor, a family pack as well as front fogs part leather trim and automatic headlamps and wipers.

My test car was absolutely loaded with everything you'd ever need, adding a superb 360 degree camera system, along with a Lane Departure function, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection systems which are all available as is a panoramic glass roof.

The Lane Departure function can be helpful for those who travel long distances in their line of work and who may be getting a bit tired on the way home. It will keep them on the straight and narrow.

Note will appeal to many buyers looking for value for money with prices starting at €15,995. Competitors include Fiesta, Yaris and Polo.