Chicago Auto Show: 2014 Nissan Versa Note

by Alex L. Dykes

Published: February 7th, 2013

chicago auto show 2014 nissan versa note

Another Detroit début languishing at the back of a booth is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note. Nissan’s discount hatch, which replaces the Nissan Versa sans-note is still singing the discount tune undercutting both the Honda Fit and the Fiesta.For hatch back duty Nissan fitted the Versa with a new nose that looks a bit less premium than the sedan. Click through the jump for more.

Pricing has been announced for Nissan’s small 5-door and it starts at $14,000 plus a $780 destination fee which is a far cry from the sedan’s starting point of $11,990 but about $700 cheaper than the current Versa hatch. The only engine offered is the same 1.6L four cylinder 109HP engine from the Versa sedan mated to the same standard 5-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s latest CVT which incorporates a 2-speed gear set to increase the ratio spread.

Lips were tight at Nissan about bringing the supercharged 1.2L three cylinder engine from Europe or the 1.5L turbo diesel. Overall equipment levels are higher than Versa sedan, so if you’re looking for the cheapest ride from Nissan it’ll have four doors, not five. Nissan has announced the Note will be capable of 40MPGs on the highway with an undisclosed but likely lofty city figure.

Nissan hasn’t refreshed the Versa interior for the note, although there are different fabric choices available. Overall the Versa cabin is full of hard plastics, but I have always held that it is totally appropriate for the low price point. Helping those who are parking-challanged Nissan is now offering their cheapest all-around monitor system from the Infiniti product line. Also on offer is Nissan;’s new app-enabled navigation system based on the systems found in the Sentra and Altima.

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2 of 23 comments

Corey Lewis on Feb 12, 2013

I don't think the design will age well. The lights and fenders/bumpers front and rear are too bulbous. There's more room in the back than I was expecting though. I'd probably prefer to sit back there than be near the dreadful dashboard.

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USspeed on Jun 14, 2013

I think it’s a very different and unique modal in Nissan, and its looking really premium than the sedan. I think overall its best than the SEDAN.

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