A Notable Success
by David Ross (14 Feb 06)

Families take note. Nissan may just have the car for you. Called the Note - and please don't ask me why - the new contender may not offer quite the dynamically different take on conventional hatchbacks Nissan claims but, it is true, the UK-manufactured Note has a lot to offer not seen in a family car before. I predict the Note's compact dimensions could well be more pleasing to the eye for people who want decent interior space but have grown tired of overly high-roofed MPVs.

Larger than a Renault Modus, with which it shares much of its underpinnings, the Note is shorter than a Volkswagen Golf so is easy to twirl about in tight urban confines. It'll also fit into most garages, not all of which will accommodate high-roofed MPVs or even larger hatchbacks.

Another advantage is that, when mum or dad are on their own, they don't feel guilty in the way some lonely MPV drivers do as onlookers give them that "why are you taking up so much room on the road when there's only you in the car?" stare.

One-up or five-up, Nissan's new Note makes a compelling case for itself. It's as versatile as most families require a car to be, the rear seat slides forward or back to emphasise rear legroom or "behind-the-seat luggage space" and there's storage under the load floor topped by a reversible lid that, with a waterproof side, won't be damaged by wet clothes or the soaking family pooch that leaps enthusiastically in before you can towel it down.

There's also a huge passenger-side glove locker that's not only air-conditioned to keep it cool, it can accommodate an amazing one dozen drink cans to ensure nobody goes thirsty.

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