Nissan Note is a compact hatchback that has gained popularity due to its practicality, efficiency and low price on the secondary market. But is he as good as he seems at first glance? In this article, we collected real reviews from owners and analyzed typical problems of different generations (E11 And E12), compared with competitors like Toyota Yaris And Honda Jazz, and also revealed nuances that are silent in salons.

The car is positioned as an ideal option for the city: small dimensions, maneuverability and low fuel consumption. However, each generation has its own pitfalls - from poor noise insulation to problems with CVT on engines HR12DE And HR16DE. We analyzed reviews from forums, groups on social networks and services like Drive2to give an objective assessment. If you are considering Nissan Note for purchase - this article will help you avoid costly mistakes.

1. Generations of Nissan Note: what is the difference between E11 and E12?

First generation (E11, 2004–2013) was produced with gasoline engines HR15DE (1.5 l, 109 hp) and KR15DE (1.5 l, 110 hp), as well as diesel K9K (1.5 l, 86–106 hp). The car was famous for its spacious interior despite its compact dimensions (length 3.79 m), but suffered from poor dynamics and noise. CVT Jatco JF011E these models were often criticized for being “dumb” and having a resource of 150–200 thousand km.

Second generation (E12, 2012–2020) received an updated design, more modern hardware and engines HR12DE (1.2 l, 98 hp) and HR16DE (1.6 l, 117 hp). CVT Jatco JF015E became more reliable, but still required careful handling. Main advantages E12 - improved sound insulation, multimedia system with support Apple CarPlay (on restyled versions) and system ProPilot on top trim levels.

  • 🔹 E11 (2004–2013): Cheaper aftermarket, but noisy and with an outdated transmission. Suitable for budget use.
  • 🔹 E12 (2012–2020): more comfortable, more economical, but more expensive to repair. The variator is sensitive to overheating.
  • 🔹 Restyling 2016: LED headlights, updated multimedia and driver assistance system appeared.

Is it worth taking E11 today? Only if the budget is very limited and you are willing to put up with noise and simplicity of finishing. E12 - a more balanced choice, but it is important to check the service history, especially if the mileage is over 100 thousand km.

📊 Which generation of Nissan Note do you think is the best?
  • E11 (2004–2013)
  • E12 (2012–2016)
  • E12 restyle (2016–2020)
  • I don't know, I'm still choosing

2. Fuel consumption: real numbers vs. passport details

Official expense Nissan Note with motor HR12DE (1.2 l) is 5.0–5.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle. But owners on forums share other figures:

  • 🚗 City (traffic jams, frequent acceleration): 7.5–9.0 l/100 km (the variator “eats” the extra 0.5–1 liters).
  • 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h): 4.8–5.5 l/100 km — here the car shows itself at its best.
  • ❄️ Winter (warm-up, short trips): up to 10–12 l/100 km on E11 with motor HR15DE.

Why is the difference with a passport so big? The point is variator, which, when driving aggressively, begins to “slip”, increasing consumption. The quality of gasoline also affects: AI-92 motor HR12DE may begin to “triple” after 80 thousand km. Owners recommend pouring AI-95 or AI-98 to extend the resource.

Model Engine Passport expense (mixed) Real consumption (according to reviews)
E11 (2004–2013) HR15DE 1.5 l 5.9 l/100 km 7.0–8.5 l/100 km
E12 (2012–2016) HR12DE 1.2 l 5.0 l/100 km 6.0–7.5 l/100 km
E12 restyle (2016–2020) HR16DE 1.6 l 5.5 l/100 km 6.5–8.0 l/100 km
⚠️ Attention: If consumption suddenly increases by 1–2 liters, check mass air flow sensor (MAF) And spark plugs. On E11 these elements often fail after 60 thousand km.

3. Reliability and typical problems: what to look for?

Nissan Note It’s not for nothing that it is considered one of the most reliable cars in the class, but it has weak points. Here's what most often breaks, according to reviews:

  • 🔧 CVT: on E11 service life of the belt and cones - 150–180 thousand km, for E12 - up to 200 thousand km with careful operation. The main enemies are overheating and aggressive driving.
  • 🔥 Diesel turbine K9K: after 120 thousand km it may require replacement (cost ~80–120 thousand rubles).
  • 💡 Electrics: on E12 The tire pressure sensor and multimedia system often fail (especially on cars without Apple CarPlay).
  • 🛑 Suspension: stabilizer struts and bushings wear out by 50–60 thousand km, shock absorbers - by 100 thousand km.

Critical problem: on HR12DE and HR16DE engines, after 100 thousand km, oil may begin to “eat” (up to 1 liter per 1000 km) due to wear of the oil scraper rings. The solution is capital or replacement with a contract engine.

Original maintenance records (especially changing the oil in the variator)

Condition of the timing belt (on E11 - replacement every 100 thousand km)

Turbine operation (on diesel versions)

No play in the suspension (check the struts and silent blocks)

Electronics functionality (sensors, multimedia)

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According to reviews from Drive2, the most problematic years of production - 2005–2007 (E11) and 2013–2014 (E12 pre-restayl). Cars of these years often suffer from “childhood diseases”: leaking oil seals, automatic transmission glitches and corrosion of thresholds.

4. Comfort and controllability: is it true that the car is a “soap box”?

Opinion about Nissan Note as a “soap box” is a myth, but with caveats. The car is really soft and comfortable on uneven surfaces, but this is achieved due to:

  • ✅ Front suspension MacPherson with soft springs - absorbs potholes well, but at speeds over 120 km/h “yaw” appears.
  • ✅ Rear semi-independent beam - cheap to repair, but prone to “steering” on bumps.
  • ❌ Poor sound insulation on E11 — on the highway you can hear wind and engine noise already at 90 km/h.

Controllability Nissan Note can’t be called sporty, but it’s ideal for the city: small turning radius (4.6 m), light steering wheel and good visibility. On the highway the car behaves predictably, but don't expect any thrills - this is a family hatchback after all.

⚠️ Attention: On E12 with the system ProPilot (adaptive cruise, lane keeping) there is a nuance: the lane marking camera can be “blind” by dirt or snow. Clean it regularly!
How to improve sound insulation in Nissan Note E11?

The most problematic areas are the wheel arches, engine shield and door cards. Owners recommend:

1. Install an additional layer of vibroplast on the roof and doors.

2. Replace standard floor mats with rubber ones with high sides.

3. Insulate the hood additionally (for example, with StP material).

Effect: noise reduction by 20–30% at speeds of 100+ km/h.

5. Interior and ergonomics: is it comfortable to drive?

Despite its compact dimensions, the interior Nissan Note surprises with its spaciousness. The back row seats three passengers (albeit cramped for the middle one), and the trunk volume 350 l (460 liters with seats folded) competes with cars of a higher class. Here's what owners like and don't like:

  • ✔️ Pros:
    • 🪑 High driving position - good visibility, convenient parking.
    • 📱 On restyled E12 There is Apple CarPlay And Android Auto (but only from 2018).
    • 🧳 System Flex Board — A shelf in the trunk with adjustable height.
  • ❌ Cons:
    • 🎨 Cheap plastic on E11 - creaks and scratches quickly.
    • 🔊 Weak audio system (4 speakers) - no bass even with an external subwoofer.
    • ☀️ Some versions do not have climate control, only manually adjustable air conditioning.

Interesting fact: in Japan Note sold under the name Nissan Moco and had richer equipment (for example, leather upholstery and a 360° camera). In the European market, these options were only available in top versions.

💡

If your Nissan Note E12 does not have Apple CarPlay, but has standard navigation, you can modify the multimedia using an adapter CarPlay2Air (cost ~15 thousand rubles). It connects via Bluetooth and emulates a smartphone screen.

6. Cost of Ownership: How much does it cost to maintain a Nissan Note?

One of the main advantages Nissan Note - low cost of maintenance. Here are the approximate costs for a year (with a mileage of 15 thousand km):

Expense item E11 (2004–2013) E12 (2012–2020)
Insurance (CASCO) 25–35 thousand rubles. 30–45 thousand rubles.
Maintenance (oil, filters) 8–12 thousand rubles. 10–15 thousand rubles.
Consumables (brake pads, spark plugs) 15–20 thousand rubles. 18–25 thousand rubles.
Unforeseen repairs 10–50 thousand rubles. 20–70 thousand rubles.

Most expensive repairs:

  • 🔄 Replacement of the variator: 150–250 thousand rubles. (new) or 80–120 thousand rubles. (contractual).
  • 🔥 Diesel turbine repair: 60–100 thousand rubles.
  • 🛢️ Engine capital HR16DE: 120–180 thousand rubles.

Buying spare parts from official dealers during promotions or at showdowns will help you save (for example, a CVT with a mileage of up to 50 thousand km can be found for 50–70 thousand rubles).

💡

The most budget-friendly service option is to buy consumables from trusted suppliers (for example, EXIST or Autodoc) and carry out maintenance from “garage” specialists with good reviews. Save up to 30% compared to the official service.

7. Comparison with competitors: which is better - Note, Yaris or Jazz?

In the compact hatchback class, Nissan Note three main competitors: Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz And Hyundai i20. Let's compare them based on key parameters:

Parameter Nissan Note E12 Toyota Yaris (XP130) Honda Jazz (GE)
Secondary price (2018 model year, 50 thousand km) 900–1,100 thousand rubles. 1,000–1,300 thousand rubles. 950–1,200 thousand rubles.
Fuel consumption (city) 7.0–8.0 l/100 km 6.5–7.5 l/100 km 6.0–7.0 l/100 km
CVT/automatic transmission reliability Medium (resource 180–200 thousand km) High (lifetime 250+ thousand km) No CVT (robot or manual transmission)
Interior space Very spacious (height 1,550 mm) It's a bit cramped in the back The most spacious in the class

Conclusions:

  • 🏆 Toyota Yaris wins in reliability, but loses in price and comfort.
  • 🚀 Honda Jazz - a leader in space and efficiency, but a boring design and weak engines.
  • 💰 Nissan Note - golden mean: cheaper Yaris, more practical Jazz, but with risks due to the variator.

8. Owner reviews: honest stories from life

We analyzed hundreds of reviews on Drive2, Drom.ru and in VKontakte groups. Here are the most typical opinions:

👨 Andrey, owner of Note E12 2015 (1.2, CVT), mileage 87 thousand km:

“I bought it in 2019 for 850 thousand rubles. Pros: consumption of 6.5 liters in the city, comfortable interior, nothing broke. Cons: the variator is dull when overtaking, sound insulation is so-so. But for the money I couldn’t find a better option.”

👩 Olga, owner of Note E11 2008 (1.5, manual transmission), mileage 180 thousand km:

“The car is like a tank - nothing breaks, only consumables. But it is noisy, especially on the highway. But the repairs are cheap: replacing the clutch cost 12 thousand rubles.”

👨 Igor, owner of Note E12 2017 (1.6, CVT), mileage 110 thousand km:

“The engine began to consume oil after 100 thousand km - a liter per 1,000 km. Dealer said this is normal for HR16DE. Now I’m thinking whether to sell or invest.”

An important nuance: most negative reviews are related to the CVT and engines HR16DE. Owners of mechanical versions and motors HR12DE 80–90% satisfied with the car.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Note

❓ Which engine is the most reliable in a Nissan Note?

The most trouble-free - HR12DE (1.2 l) per E12. It is easier to repair, more economical and less likely to suffer from oil appetite. Diesel K9K reliable, but expensive to maintain. Motor HR16DE more powerful, but after 100 thousand km it may begin to “eat” oil.

❓ How long does the CVT on a Nissan Note last?

CVT resource JF011E (E11) - 150–180 thousand km, JF015E (E12) - 180–220 thousand km. Service life depends on:

  • Regular oil changes (every 60 thousand km).
  • Driving style (no sudden starts or towing).
  • Cooling quality (check the variator radiator).
❓ Is it possible to put gas on a Nissan Note?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • ✔️ On E11 with motor HR15DE HBO 4th generation is installed without problems.
  • ⚠️ On E12 with HR12DE or HR16DE The ECU needs to be reconfigured, otherwise misfires may occur.
  • ❌ They do not install LPG on diesel versions - only D-Tronic (expensive and unjustified).

Average installation cost: 40–60 thousand rubles. Fuel savings: ~50%.

❓ Which tires are best to choose for Nissan Note?

Recommended sizes:

  • E11: 175/65 R15 or 185/60 R15.
  • E12: 185/65 R15 or 195/55 R16.

Best options according to reviews:

  • 🌧️ Summer: Michelin Energy Saver (low flow, quiet) or Continental EcoContact 6.
  • ❄️ Winter: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 (soft, good grip) or Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.
❓ Where is the best place to buy spare parts for Nissan Note?

Top 5 proven options:

  1. Official dealers - original spare parts, but expensive (for example, oil for a variator NS-3 costs ~1,200 rubles/liter).
  2. EXIST.ru - wide range, often with discounts.
  3. Autodoc.ru — convenient search by VIN, fast delivery.
  4. Showdown (For example, Bamper.by or Avito) - 2-3 times cheaper, but there is a risk of running into a “dead” node.
  5. Aliexpress - only for small things (lamps, filters, decorative elements).