With the introduction of the 2014 Versa Note five-door, Nissan’s subcompact Versa lineup finally has fully filled out after two years of the new-for-2012 sedan splitting showroom space with the last-generation hatchback model. The “Note” portion of the five-door’s name is a reference to this model’s global origins—this same car has been on sale in other parts of the world for a while now—and also helps differentiate the tiny wagon from the dowdier-looking four-door.
Take Note: This Isn’t Quite a Note
Even though the Versa Note gets entirely unique styling, it rides on the same global V architecture that underpins the sedan. We won’t beat around the bush here—the Versa sedan has enjoyed minimal critical acclaim. So while the Versa Note can claim to be far handsomer than the sedan as well as being more closely linked to the rather nice, international Note (note the lack of “Versa” in the global version’s name), this U.S.-specific version arrives this summer with several Versa-fications that un-do some of those positives.
Globally, the Note falls into the semi-premium category of small cars. The car we’re getting here in the States will not. That’s because Nissan fitted a new interior for the U.S. market that mimics the Versa sedan’s drab, unimaginatively styled cabin. The change is not only cosmetic, but substantive, as well—there are hard, unpleasant plastics everywhere. Outside, the hatchback looks identical to the Note, which is a good thing; its pleasant creases and curves look like an amalgamation of the Toyota Prius C and the Honda Fit’s looks.
Continuously Versatile Transmission
Underneath the Versa Note’s wedge-like hood sits the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the Versa sedan. The same 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque motivate the wheels through either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. (The Note won’t offer an optional four-speed automatic on the base car; the four-cog unit is available on the entry-level sedan.) Unsurprisingly, the Versa Note’s fuel economy should be comparable to that of the sedan; so far Nissan has only announced efficiency figures for the CVT-equipped Note, which will be good for 31 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway. Further helping things on the fuel-economy front are available active grille shutters.
The Versa Note will launch with three trim levels: S, S Plus, and SV. A five-speed manual, four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input, and 15-inch wheels and tires are standard. Otherwise, Nissan’s early features list for the Versa Note includes a ton of gear—but nearly all of it is noted as being “available.” Among the stuff you’ll have to pay more for: power windows, cruise control, a rear-seat armrest, nicer seat cloth, a map light, a larger audio display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a reconfigurable cargo area divider. The Note’s list of more-normal options includes 16-inch wheels, navigation, Nissan’s cool around-view monitor and backup camera, Nissan Intelligent Access key with push-button start, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Full pricing information has not yet been released, but Nissan has announced the Versa Note’s starting price, which comes in at a low-but-not-as-low-as-the-sedan $14,840. Even though that base price falls below those of nearly all of the Versa Note’s subcompact competitors (you can see them all in a recent small-car comparison test we held), the 2013 Kia Rio5 comes in at $290 less. Despite carrying an extra $2060 on its window sticker, the Versa Note doesn’t appear to feature any additional standard features over the Versa sedan.
We’ll have to wait until we can compare final specifications from both the regular Versa and the Note, and to drive the new five-door, to make any final judgments, but on paper the Note isn’t looking like much of an improvement. Mixing the sedan’s depression-inducing interior with a higher price and no additional content doesn’t seem like a winning recipe. Or we could be wrong—the sedan is selling nicely, despite the media’s less-than-rosy impressions of it.
