Nissan Note is a compact hatchback that has gained popularity since 2004 due to its practicality, efficiency and adaptability to urban conditions. The model has gone through two generations (E12 2004–2013 and E13 2013–2020), and in some countries (for example, Japan) continues to be produced in an updated form. In Russia Note officially sold until 2020, but remains in demand on the secondary market.
In this article we will analyze technical specifications all versions Nissan Note, including engines HR12DE And HR16DE, types of transmissions, suspension features and real fuel consumption. We will pay special attention to the differences between generations, as well as the nuances of operation that affect reliability and comfort.
Engines Nissan Note: comparison of HR12DE and HR16DE
Line of motors for Note represented by two petrol units of the family HR with variable valve timing system CVTC. Both engines are known for their reliability, but have differences in dynamics and efficiency.
HR12DE (1.2 l) — base engine for the European and Japanese markets. With volume 1198 cm³ he develops 80–98 hp (depending on year and market). The main advantages are low fuel consumption (from 5.2 l/100 km in a mixed cycle) and resource up to 300+ thousand km with proper maintenance. However, there may not be enough power for overtaking on the highway, especially with an automatic transmission.
HR16DE (1.6 l) - a more powerful alternative (109–117 hp). Volume 1598 cm³ allows you to accelerate to 100 km/h for 10.5–11.5 sec (depending on transmission). Fuel consumption is higher - approx. 6.5–7.2 l/100 km, but the dynamics are noticeably better. This engine is more often found in top trim levels Note Tekna.
- 🔧 HR12DE: optimal for the city, but requires frequent oil changes (every
7–10 thousand km). - ⚡ HR16DE: preferable for mixed cycle, but sensitive to fuel quality (octane number not lower than
95). - ⚠️ Both motors are prone to overheating when idling for a long time (for example, in traffic jams).
- HR12DE (1.2 l)
- HR16DE (1.6 l)
- Other
- I don't know
Transmission: manual transmission, automatic transmission and Xtronic variator
Depending on market and year of manufacture Nissan Note equipped with three types of gearboxes. The choice of transmission directly affects dynamics, fuel consumption and reliability.
5-speed manual transmission - the most reliable and economical option. Paired with HR12DE allows you to reduce consumption to 5.0 l/100 km on the highway. The mechanics rarely fail, but require timely replacement of the clutch (resource - 150–200 thousand km).
4-speed automatic transmission installed on earlier versions Note E12 (until 2010). This box is known for its “kicks” when switching and increased fuel consumption (up to 8.5 l/100 km in the city). Owners of such models are recommended to check the oil level in the automatic transmission every 30 thousand km - its deficiency leads to premature wear of the clutches.
Xtronic CVT appeared in Note E13 (after 2013). It is smoother than a classic automatic and more economical (consumption is at the level of a manual transmission). However, the variator is sensitive to overheating and requires the use special oil (NS-2 or NS-3). Variator belt resource - 150–200 thousand km, but with aggressive driving it can be reduced to 100 thousand km.
| Transmission type | Fuel consumption (city/highway) | Resource (thousand km) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-speed manual | 6.2 / 4.8 l |
300+ | Reliable, but noisy at high speeds |
| 4-automatic | 8.5 / 6.0 l |
200–250 | Shocks when switching, high consumption |
| CVT Xtronic | 6.0 / 4.7 l |
150–200 | Requires special oil, fears overheating |
⚠️ Attention: If your Note If the CVT starts to “kick” or make a grinding noise when accelerating, immediately check the oil level. Operating with low fluid levels will result in irreversible damage to the cones and expensive repairs (from 100 thousand rubles.).
Suspension and steering: design and weak points
Front suspension Nissan Note built according to the scheme MacPherson with independent levers, rear - semi-independent beam. This design provides good handling in the city, but has a number of typical problems:
- 🔩 Wheel bearings: fail during the run
80–120 thousand km. The symptom is a hum when driving, which intensifies when turning. - 🛞 Shock absorbers: flow after
100 thousand km, especially when driving on bad roads. Replacement is recommended in pairs (front/rear). - 🔧 Steering rack: on Note E12 play often appears after
150 thousand km. B E13 The problem was solved due to reinforced anthers. - ⚠️ Stabilizer bushings: they creak after
50 thousand km. Cheap analogues last no more than a year.
The steering is equipped electric power steering (EPS), which is reliable. However, if the rotation angle sensor fails (G85) an error light appears on the dashboard ESP, and the amplifier turns off. The cost of a new sensor is from 15 thousand rubles..
Inspect the CV joint boots for cracks|
Check the play in the steering rack (pulling the steering wheel left and right in place) |
Drive over a speed bump - knocking sounds indicate faulty shock absorbers |
Listen to the operation of bearings at speeds of 60–80 km/h-->
Dimensions, ground clearance and trunk volume
Nissan Note belongs to the class subcompact hatchbacks, but thanks to the high roof and convertible interior, it surpasses many competitors in practicality. Body dimensions are the same for both generations:
- 📏 Length:
3990 mm(more compact Toyota Yaris, but longer Hyundai i10). - 📐 Width:
1690 mm(with mirrors -1930 mm). - 📊 Height:
1550 mm(on50 mmhigher Ford Fiesta, which improves visibility). - 🚗 Clearance:
150 mm(sufficient for urban conditions, but on primer roads there is a risk of damage to the engine protection).
Trunk volume in standard position - 320 l, but with the rear seats folded (system Flexi-Board) increases to 1332 l. For comparison: Kia Rio trunk is smaller (288 l), and Skoda Fabia - more (330 l).
Important nuance: in versions with ramp for disabled people (For example, Note Mobility) ground clearance reduced to 130 mm, and the trunk has a non-standard shape. When buying a used car, check for the presence of the original crankcase protection - its absence increases the risk of damage to the oil pan.
Electronics and security systems
Basic equipment Nissan Note includes ABS, EBD, Hill Start Assist (HSA) And 2–6 airbags (depending on version). In top modifications (Tekna) added:
- 🚨 ESP (exchange rate control system) - can be turned off with a button on the center console.
- 👁️ Rear view camera with dynamic marking lines.
- 🔊 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - triggers when pressure drops below
1.8 bar. - 🔋 Start/Stop (in European versions) - automatically turns off the engine at traffic lights.
Weak points of electronics:
- Engine control unit (ECU): on Note E12 may "glitch" in humid weather (symptom - floating speed). Solution - contact processing
WD-40. - Throttle position sensor: fails during mileage
100+ thousand km, causing an errorP0120. - Multimedia system: in versions with navigation (Nissan Connect) often freezes when connecting a smartphone via
Bluetooth.
How to reset ESP error on dashboard?
1. Turn off the engine and turn on the ignition (without starting the engine).
2. Press and hold the button ESP OFF within 10 seconds.
3. If the error remains, check the rotation angle sensor (G85) or ABS connectors.
Real fuel consumption: owner data
Fuel consumption declared by the manufacturer often differs from actual figures. According to the owners Nissan Note (based on reports from forums Drive2 And Nissan-Club.ru), the average values are:
| Engine | Transmission | City (l/100 km) | Route (l/100 km) | Mixed (l/100 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR12DE (1.2) | Manual transmission | 6.5–7.2 |
4.8–5.3 |
5.5–6.0 |
| HR12DE (1.2) | CVT | 7.0–7.8 |
5.0–5.5 |
6.0–6.5 |
| HR16DE (1.6) | Manual transmission | 8.0–8.5 |
5.5–6.0 |
6.5–7.0 |
| HR16DE (1.6) | 4-automatic | 9.5–10.5 |
6.5–7.0 |
7.5–8.2 |
Consumption is affected by:
- 🛣️ Riding style: Aggressive acceleration increases fuel consumption by
15–20%. - ❄️ Winter operation: consumption grows on
10–15%due to heating and increased cold air resistance. - 🔧 Filter status: a dirty air filter adds up to
0.5 l/100 km.
⚠️ Attention: If your Note with engineHR12DEstarted consuming more8 l/100 kmin the city, check:
- Mass air flow sensor (
MAF).- Spark plugs (resource -
30 thousand kmfor ordinary90 thousand kmfor iridium).- Vacuum leaks in the intake system (cracks in pipes).
To reduce fuel consumption by Nissan Note with CVT, use the mode Eco Mode (if any) and avoid sudden acceleration. At speed 90–100 km/h consumption is minimal.
Comparison with competitors: which is better?
Nissan Note competes with models such as Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Kia Rio And Hyundai i20. Advantages and disadvantages in comparison:
| Parameter | Nissan Note | Toyota Yaris | Honda Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk volume (l) | 320–1332 |
286–768 |
304–1314 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 150 |
145 |
155 |
| Minimum consumption (l/100 km) | 4.8 |
4.1 |
4.7 |
| CVT reliability | Average (resource 150 thousand km) |
High (resource 200+ thousand km) |
No CVT |
When to choose Note:
- ✅ Needed spacious salon and a large trunk with compact dimensions.
- ✅ Important high rise and a good review.
- ✅ Do you plan to travel mainly around the city (maneuverability, small turning radius).
When to choose a competitor:
- ❌ Needed diesel engine (Yaris or i20 offer such options).
- ❌ Important transmission durability — variator Toyota more reliable.
- ❌ Required four-wheel drive (y Note front only).
Nissan Note beats its competitors in terms of price, space and comfort in the city, but loses in transmission reliability and efficiency on the highway.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Note
Which engine is more reliable: HR12DE or HR16DE?
HR12DE easier to maintain and cheaper to repair, but HR16DE less susceptible to vibration at idle. Both engines, with proper care (oil change every 10 thousand km, high-quality fuel) go on 300+ thousand km. Main problem HR16DE - timing chain, which can stretch after 150 thousand km (symptom: knocking noise on cold start).
Is it possible to install HBO on Nissan Note?
Yes, but with reservations:
- For
HR12DEsuitable for HBO 4th generation (with lambda probe emulator). - On
HR16DEsetup required ECU firmware, otherwise errors are possibleP0300(misfire). - CVT doesn't like operation on gas - the belt life may be reduced.
Average gas consumption: 7.5–8.5 l/100 km (on 10–15% higher than gasoline).
How often should you change the oil in the variator? Note E13?
Official regulations - every 90 thousand km, but in Russian conditions (traffic jams, frost), it is better to reduce the interval to 60 thousand km. Use only original oil Nissan CVT Fluid NS-2/NS-3 (article KE909-99932). When replacing, be sure to clean the tray magnets - metal shavings accelerate wear on the cones.
What happens if you fill in regular ATF instead of NS-2?
Incompatible oil causes the variator belt to slip, jerk and overheat. Via 10–20 thousand km major repairs will be required (cost from 80 thousand rubles.).
Which tires are suitable for Nissan Note?
Recommended sizes:
- Steel wheels (R15):
185/65 R15or195/60 R15. - Alloy wheels (R16):
195/55 R16.
Optimal size for winter 185/65 R15 - it is cheaper and softer. Tire pressure:
- Front wheels:
2.2 bar. - Rear wheels:
2.0 bar(at full load -2.3 bar).
How much does the service cost? Nissan Note per year?
When running 15 thousand km/year average costs:
- 🛢️ Oil and filters:
8–12 thousand rubles.(every10 thousand km). - 🔧 Maintenance (replacement of spark plugs, brake fluid):
15–20 thousand rubles.(every30 thousand km). - 🚘 Consumables (brake pads, shock absorbers):
20–30 thousand rubles.per year.
Total: 40–60 thousand rubles/year (excluding unforeseen repairs).