Nissan Versa Note 2017

2017 Nissan Versa Note Review

Looking for a Used Versa Note in your area?

CarGurus has 1,773 nationwide Versa Note listings starting at $2,900.

2017 Nissan Versa Note Overview

It doesn’t offer much in the way of luxury or performance, but Nissan’s 2017 Versa Note subcompact hatchback is long on value, perfect for the urban-dwelling family on a budget. With seating for 5, this pint-size hatch matches its Versa sedan cousin (covered in a separate preview) in looks, features, and personality, while also adding in a little extra cargo space.

There are no scheduled changes for the 2017 Versa Note, which underwent a comprehensive refresh inside and out for 2015. The trim lineup includes the S, S Plus, SV, SR, and top-shelf SL. Look for this little hatchback to boast a surprisingly roomy cabin, though cargo room is below the class average, with 18.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 38.3 cubic feet total. The 2017 Versa Note should offer a pleasant ride, but power and handling will likely leave a little to be desired. All versions are available only with front-wheel drive (FWD).

Like the Versa sedan, the Versa Note gets its grunt from a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that puts out 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. The entry-level S trim is only delivered with a 5-speed manual transmission, while all other editions get a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT achieves a healthy 31 mpg city/40 highway/35 combined, and the manual is good for 27/36/30–but these fuel-economy numbers may be tough to come by in real-world driving. One track test had the current Versa Note going from 0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds, a full 1.6 seconds slower than the considerably more potent Honda Fit.

The Versa Note is admittedly less well-equipped than many of its competitors, with a cabin full of hard plastic and uninteresting interior accent materials. Lower trims tend to scrimp on features, but you can get a brand-new Versa Note S for less than you’d pay for many similarly equipped used cars. Unfortunately, there’s little in the way of interior soundproofing, no height adjustment for the driver’s seat, no split-folding rear seats in the S trim, and a tilt-only steering wheel, all of which may not stand out very much to more discriminating consumers.

On the plus side, higher Versa Note trims include standard features like a rear-view camera, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, a rear spoiler, a touchscreen display, and satellite radio, while the flagship SL trim adds standard Bluetooth-integrated NissanConnect infotainment with destination downloads and smartphone apps.

Among the options available on the SV, SR, and SL is a unique “Divide-n-Hide” adjustable cargo floor that allows smaller items such as purses or briefcases to be stashed out of sight below the floor itself while bulkier items are loaded above.

Standard safety features include front-disc/rear-drum antilock braking (ABS) and supplemental airbags on all trims; higher trims also boast standard front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, and a remote antitheft alarm. The SL additionally packs Nissan’s Easy Fill tire-inflation alert system, which sounds the vehicle’s horn when it senses you’ve reached the proper psi while inflating the tires. An available Around View Monitor (AVM) provides 360-degree camera coverage to aid difficult parking maneuvers.

The National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) gives the current Versa Note lineup 4 out of 5 stars for overall crashworthiness. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), meantime, has awarded the Versa Note its highest score of Good on all tests except the small-overlap frontal-offset, where the Nissan received a worst possible score of Poor. The IIHS also gives the current editions its second-highest score of Acceptable for ease of use on the government-mandated LATCH child-seat anchoring system.

The 2017 Versa Note will challenge other entry-level vehicles like the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, and Hyundai Accent in the small hatchback market, with each of these rivals offering more in the way of refinement and performance–though at a higher price. A further challenge comes in the form of Honda’s Fit, generally acknowledged as the best of the subcompact hatchback available here in the U.S.

Have Laptop. Will Travel. I’m retired and travelling the country in a 34′ motor home. I’m really digging meeting people . . and sometimes their cars . . . getting a sense of what makes this nation tick. The plan is to visit all the national parks in the continental US, then cruise to Alaska to visit Denali, and to Hawaii to check out Haleakala and the Hawaii Volcano’s national parks. Anyhow, when I’m not horsing the motor home around the roadways, I’m tooting around in the 2012 Ford Focus that we tow behind, or making runs to Home Depot and various malls with the 2004 F-150 that just won’t die.

What’s your take on the 2017 Nissan Versa Note?

2017 Nissan Versa Note Top Comparisons

Users ranked 2017 Nissan Versa Note against other cars which they drove/owned. Each ranking was based on 9 categories. Here is the summary of top rankings.

2017 Nissan Versa Note vs:

2017 Nissan Versa Note

Key specs of the base trim

Overview

The Good

• Passenger room
• Gas mileage
• Seating comfort
• Value for the money
• Innovative cargo shelf
• User-friendly multimedia system

The Bad

• Ride quality
• Cabin noise
• Acceleration
• Cheap cabin
• No telescoping steering wheel
• Modest cargo room behind backseat

What to Know

We’re looking for the best deals on a Nissan near you…

Are you looking for more listings?

Please enter a valid 5-digit ZIP code.

Sign up for listing notifications

Please enter your complete email address.

Thanks For Signing Up!

We have received your information, so keep an eye out for emails from Cars.com.

See all local inventory

2017 Nissan Versa Note Review

from the Cars.com expert editorial team

The 2017 Nissan Versa Note is slightly updated for 2017 with new front styling and updated automatic transmission tuning.Pricing is unchanged, but the least-expensive S trim has been dropped and the Versa Note now starts at $16,345 for the S Plus instead of 2016’s $15,095 for the S, though with the additional feature content of the S Plus (prices include destination).

The Versa Note’s appearance is livened up this year with swept-back styling featuring redesigned headlights and a more-aggressive grille; the look is shared by recently updated Nissans like the Sentra, Altima and Maxima. Like before, Versa Note SR trims have sportier styling with a rear spoiler and machine-finished 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Interior

The Versa Note interior’s strong points are a roomy backseat and 360-degree Around View Monitor commonly found on pricier vehicles, and both carry over for 2017. What’s new are larger cupholders and relocated USB port to the front of the center console; there’s also an additional 12-volt outlet on SV, SR and SL trims. The Versa Note has seating for five and the backseat folds for a maximum 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is on the short side compared with a more space-efficient hatchback like the Honda Fit’s 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space, though to be fair, everything in this class trails the Fit’s cargo usability.

Under the Hood

Nissan drops the base model S and its manual tra. Show full review

The 2017 Nissan Versa Note is slightly updated for 2017 with new front styling and updated automatic transmission tuning.Pricing is unchanged, but the least-expensive S trim has been dropped and the Versa Note now starts at $16,345 for the S Plus instead of 2016’s $15,095 for the S, though with the additional feature content of the S Plus (prices include destination).

The Versa Note’s appearance is livened up this year with swept-back styling featuring redesigned headlights and a more-aggressive grille; the look is shared by recently updated Nissans like the Sentra, Altima and Maxima. Like before, Versa Note SR trims have sportier styling with a rear spoiler and machine-finished 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Interior

The Versa Note interior’s strong points are a roomy backseat and 360-degree Around View Monitor commonly found on pricier vehicles, and both carry over for 2017. What’s new are larger cupholders and relocated USB port to the front of the center console; there’s also an additional 12-volt outlet on SV, SR and SL trims. The Versa Note has seating for five and the backseat folds for a maximum 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is on the short side compared with a more space-efficient hatchback like the Honda Fit’s 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space, though to be fair, everything in this class trails the Fit’s cargo usability.

Under the Hood

Nissan drops the base model S and its manual transmission for 2017, leaving the CVT as the only one available. The transmission itself is now programmed to simulate shifting instead of holding the engine at constant high speeds, which Nissan says gives the Versa Note a more natural acceleration feeling.

Safety

The Versa Note has safety features common to the class, such as side-impact and side-curtain airbags and required standard electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring system. The optional 360-degree backup camera is a highlight only on the top SL trim where it’s standard, and a traditional backup camera is standard on SL and SR trims but not available on the standard S Plus model.

Glendale Nissan Official Blog

Home » Nissan Versa Note » 2017 Nissan Versa Note Photo Gallery

2017 Nissan Versa Note Photo Gallery

What’s new for the 2017 Nissan Versa Note?

Today Nissan has officially announced pricing for the incoming 2017 Nissan Versa Note. (Just to make a note, the Note is the hatchback version of the subcompact Nissan Versa sedan.) For years now, the Versa and Versa Note have been recognized as the most affordable option within their class, and this statement doesn’t change for 2017.

Let’s talk money. When shopping for a new car, at some point we all have to talk about the dollar signs, and the 2017 Nissan Versa Note maintains its lead in affordability. It’s the cheap car that isn’t cheaply made; take a look at each of the four trim levels, all of which will be going for well under $20,000.

2017 Nissan Versa Note Gallery

2017 Nissan Versa Note Trim Levels

Although this is not a redesign year for the Nissan Versa Note, there still are a number of minor tweaks and changes that have been made to freshen up “America’s best-selling nameplate in the entry-level segment.”

Let’s talk money. When shopping for a new car, at some point we all have to talk about the dollar signs, and the 2017 Nissan Versa Note maintains its lead in affordability. It’s the cheap car that isn’t cheaply made; take a look at each of the four trim levels, all of which will be going for well under $20,000.

The biggest changes to each of the four trim levels, S, SV, SR, and SL, is the mild tweaking down to the front and rear ends of the car. And to spice things up, Nissan is introducing bright and vibrant colors as well as new wheel designs. In order to stand out, you can’t be stagnant.

NEW COLOR OPTIONS: Two new exterior colors are joining the traditional palette—Monarch Orange and Deep Blue Pearl.

Engine and Powertrain: Beneath the hood of the Nissan Versa Note, we’ll find the same efficient engine the Versa Note has continued to trust. The 1.6L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine is paired to Nissan’s Xtronic transmission to ensure clean, fluid shifting throughout the gears.

This is the only option available to the Nissan Versa Note and it enables the car to be one of the most efficient commuter cars, earning a fuel economy rating of 31 city/40 hwy mpg while still managing a maximum of 109 horsepower.

If it’s a sportier version of the Nissan Versa Note that you’re looking for, the the SR just might be what you had in mind. The SR has undergone a number of sporty exterior and interior upgrades which include the following enhancements:

• Fog lights
• Rear spoiler
• Body-color side sills
• Suede-like seats
• Juke-style sport leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 16-inch sport machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels
• Outside rearview mirrors w/ integrated turn signals

As for those of you looking for a car equipped with more pampering features and loaded up with all of the latest technology without spending a fortune, then there is the top-of-the-line SL model.

• Class-exclusive Around View Monitor
• Heated front seats and side view mirrors
• 5.8-inch color touch-screen display
• Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio
• SiriusXM Traffic, SiriusXM Travel Link
• 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels