2016 Nissan Versa Note Review

2016 Nissan Versa Note offers energetic styling, 40 mpg fuel efficiency and smart technology

The Nissan Versa Note continues to accumulate accolades for its versatility, value, technology and style – being named to lists such as Autotrader’s “Best Cars for Recent College Graduates” (2015), and Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com “10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000” (2015), “10 Best Back-to-School Cars” (2015) and “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000” (2014).

The companion vehicle to the popular Versa sedan, Versa Note celebrates the unique qualities of its 5-door hatchback design. It shares its advanced platform and drivetrain with the Versa sedan, yet Versa Note has its own distinctive look and feel inside and out.

As Versa Note enters its third year of production for 2016, it adds two new exterior colors, Cayenne Red and Gun Metallic, and greatly enhanced standard content for the Versa Note SV grade – including NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps, 5.0-inch color display, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor and Divide-N-Hide® Adjustable Floor.

The 2016 Versa Note is offered in a range of five well-equipped models: S, S Plus, SV, SR and SL. Each is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. Versa Note S features a 5-speed manual transmission. The S Plus, SV, SR and SL models are equipped with a next-generation Nissan Xtronic transmission, helping them achieve 40 miles per gallon highway fuel economy.

An Open, Aero and Energetic Exterior

Nissan Versa Note’s sculpted styling is designed to accomplish two things: provide efficient aerodynamics to help enhance fuel economy and to stand out from the crowd of entry-level competitors. Its dramatic shape and proportions provide an energetic look that reflects the active lives of its target buyers.

Along with its steeply sloped front windshield and deeply sculpted doors, Versa Note features a dramatic character line called the “squash line.” Inspired by the international sport of squash, the line follows the trajectory of a squash ball hitting a wall, bouncing on the court floor and returning to the player. This “rebound path” projects the dynamic energy of Versa Note in both look and driving feel.

Attention to aerodynamic detail helps Versa Note achieve a coefficient of drag of 0.298 (Xtronic-equipped models). The large front spoiler combines with a “kick up” roof shape and low aero-drag floor structure (including front and rear tire deflectors, rear suspension beam mounted flush with floor and fuel tank deflectors) to direct airflow over, under and around the body.

Xtronic transmission-equipped Versa Note models include an Active Grille Shutter, which limits the amount of air entering the engine compartment, reducing drag force by 0.01. The Active Grille Shutter is generally closed at speeds above 20 miles per hour.

The iconic front grille and large multi-reflector headlights are paired with Versa 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.

The Versa Note SR model features unique SR front and rear fascias and grille, dark headlight treatment, body-color side sills, rear spoiler, sideview mirrors with integrated turn signals – providing a more sporty appearance.

Versa Note’s dynamic design also takes full advantage of use of Nissan’s global “V” platform. It features a long 102.4-inch wheelbase helping maximize interior roominess, while short front and rear overhangs help provide a sporty stance and parking maneuverability.

The 2016 Versa Note is offered in nine exterior colors: new Gun Metallic and Cayenne Red, along with Metallic Peacock, Metallic Blue, Brilliant Silver, Super Black, Aspen White and Fresh Powder.

Roomy Interior, Segment-First Technology

The roomy interior is a perfect match for the stylish Versa Note exterior. The five-passenger Versa Note cabin provides a spacious total interior volume of 112.9 cubic feet and ample cargo space of 18.8 cubic feet. A low cargo area liftover height provides easy 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 Versa Note both kid friendly and adult comfortable.

Interior versatility is further enhanced through use of an available Divide-N-Hide® Adjustable Floor. With the standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat folded down, a large flat cargo area is created. With the rear seats folded down, the Divide-N-Hide® system creates a flat cargo area. Lifting up the cargo floor board reveals a hidden area underneath to keep valuables out of sight. When more space is needed for carrying taller or bulkier items, lowering the floor board creates a deeper cargo well. The floor board is designed to stay in the vehicle yet is easily removed if desired. It’s a simple solution to balance the need for a flat load floor or maximum cargo capacity or security.

The long list of refined interior features starts with the standard cloth seating, 4-way adjustable front bucket seats (S, S Plus) or 6-way seats (SV), Fine Vision instrumentation, AM/FM/CD/Aux-in audio system with 4 speakers, 12-volt power outlet, front door pockets with bottle holders, dual front and rear cupholders, front passenger seatback pocket and many more amenities.

Heated front seats with upgraded seat cloth and stitching are also available, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome/silver accents, USB input with iPod® control and steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth® controls. The Versa Note SR includes sporty suede-like seat accents and a 370Z-style steering wheel. Two interior colors are offered: Charcoal and Wheat Stone.

Among the 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 or available as part of the SR Tech Package is the advanced NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps with SiriusXM® Traffic and SiriusXM® Travel Link™ (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), 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.

The Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant – which is available with the standard NissanConnect with Mobile Apps on SV, SR and SL grades – allows drivers to receive and respond to text messages without touching their cell phones. With a touch of a button messages can be read to the driver and answered with pre-loaded responses via voice recognition.

Other available Versa Note technology includes Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, RearView Monitor and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) and standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.

The Right Combination of Power and MPG

With entry-level buyers looking for value not just in the initial purchase price but also in day-to-day operation, the front-wheel drive Versa Note is designed to provide a rewarding combination of fuel economy and performance.

Anchoring the powertrain 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 (versus traditional single injector systems), 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.

The compact, lightweight engine also utilizes a Twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system mounted on intake and exhaust ports (versus conventional CVTC systems, which are mounted only on the intake port), similar to the system used on the flagship Nissan Maxima. Using a CVTC on the outlet port increases thermal efficiency, decreases inhalation resistance and offers an approximate four percent improvement in fuel efficiency (over the previous engine design).

Versa Note is offered with a choice of two transmissions – a 5-speed manual transmission (S model only) or an advanced 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.

Aiding efficiency is an integrated auxiliary gearbox using planetary gearing. The Xtronic features a transmission ratio of 7.3:1, broader than those of typical 7-speed automatic transmissions. A transmission oil warmer transfers engine coolant heat to the transmission oil, helping reduce transmission friction during cold starts, increasing short trip fuel economy.

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 (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

The 2016 Versa Note rides on standard 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers and 185/65HR15 all-season tires, while 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55HR16 all-season tires are standard with the SR and SL grades. Optionally available as part of the SV Appearance Package are 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Low rolling resistance tires are standard on all models.

Standard safety and security systems include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags), front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with available Easy-Fill Tire Alert.

A Range of Five Well-Equipped Grade Levels

The 2016 Versa Note is offered in S, S Plus, SV, SR and SL grade levels. In addition to the long list of standard features found on the Versa Note S with manual transmission, the Versa Note S Plus adds Xtronic transmission, transmission position indicator and Active Grille Shutter.

Versa Note SV models include power windows with one-touch down feature, power door locks with speed-sensing auto-lock, Remote Keyless Entry, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome and silver interior accents, Piano Black C-cluster surround, 3-dial Fine Vision Meter design, multi-function trip computer with outside temperature display, map light with key-linked illuminated entry system, driver’s seat armrest, upgraded seat cloth and stitching, driver’s seat lifter, USB input with iPod® control, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) and NissanConnect with Mobile Apps and 5.0-inch color display.

Versa Note SR offers unique exterior and interior treatments, including sporty front and rear fascias and grille, dark headlight surrounds, fog lights, rear spoiler, suede seats, NissanConnect with Mobile Apps, 5.0-inch color display, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, RearView Monitor, Divide-N-Hide® Adjustable Floor and 16-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels.

The top-of-the-line Versa Note SL includes NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, SiriusXM® Traffic, SiriusXM® Travel Link™ (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), Around View® Monitor, center console with rear cupholders, heated front seats, heated side view mirrors, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Easy-Fill Tire Alert, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and SL badge.

Two equipment optional packages are offered: SV Appearance Package and SR Tech Package. The SV Appearance Package includes 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights and variable intermittent wipers. The SR Tech Package includes NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps with 5.8-inch color touch-screen display.

The 2016 Versa Note is assembled by Nissan Mexicana SA de CV in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

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