Nissan Note 2 (E12): an honest review of a compact van with an emphasis on practicality

Nissan Note 2 (internal designation E12) is a compact van that from 2012 to 2020 successfully competed with Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit And Mazda Demio in the Japanese and European markets. The model became a logical continuation of the first generation, retaining the signature “box-shaped” body shape, but receiving a more modern platform, economical engines and an expanded list of options. Unlike many classmates, Note positioned as a family car with an emphasis on interior space, flexible seat transformation And low cost of ownership.

Today, when the model has already been discontinued, interest in Nissan Note 2 on the secondary market remains consistently high. There are several reasons: firstly, this is one of the few compact vans with actual ceiling height 1400 mm, making it comfortable even for tall passengers. Secondly, thanks to the hybrid version e-Power (appeared in 2016), the car offers fuel consumption of 20–22 km/l in the urban cycle - a figure unattainable for most gasoline counterparts. Thirdly, the simple design and prevalence of spare parts make Note E12 a profitable choice for those looking for a reliable budget car.

In this material we will analyze Nissan Note 2 from all sides: from technical nuances to typical problems, we will compare it with competitors and give recommendations for choosing on the secondary market. If you are considering purchasing this compact van, you will find answers to key questions here.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Note 2 (E12): engines, transmissions, suspension

Under the hood Nissan Note 2 Three types of power units were installed, each of which had its own characteristics. The base engine for most markets (including Russia) has become petrol HR12DE volume 1.2 liters with a distributed injection system. This engine develops 79 hp at 6000 rpm And 106 Nm torque, which is enough for city use, but not enough for country roads. Main advantage HR12DE — low fuel consumption (5.5–6.2 l/100 km in the combined cycle) and resource up to 300,000 km with regular maintenance.

Since 2016, a hybrid version has appeared on the Japanese market e-Power, which combined HR12DE (working exclusively as a generator) with an electric motor power 80 hp. This scheme made it possible to achieve consumption in 20–22 km/l (4.5–5 l/100 km) without the need to recharge from a power outlet. It's important to note that e-Power is not a "full" hybrid: battery (1.5 kWh) is too small for long-term autonomous driving, but enough for maneuverability in traffic jams.

Transmission options included:

• 🔹 5-speed manual transmission - reliable, but rare on the secondary market (more often found in basic trim levels).
• 🔹 Xtronic CVT - the most common option, which is paired with HR12DE provided smooth acceleration, but required careful handling (oil change every 60,000 km).
• 🔹 4-speed automatic — installed only on early versions with a motor HR15DE (1.5 l, 110 hp), which was offered in some Asian countries.

Suspension Note 2 built according to the classic scheme for the class: in front - MacPherson struts, behind - semi-independent beam. This design ensured a soft ride on uneven surfaces, but the car was prone to roll in corners due to the high center of gravity. Electric power steering (EPS) is lightweight, but lacks information content at high speeds.

Options and equipment: what Nissan Note 2 offered in Russia

On the Russian market Nissan Note 2 officially sold from 2013 to 2020 in three main trim levels: Comfort, Elegance And Tekna. Basic version Comfort included a minimum set of options:

• 🔘 Air conditioning (not climate control!).
• 🔘 Electrical package (glass, mirrors).
• 🔘 Audio system with CD/MP3, USB And Aux.
• 🔘 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps.

Version Elegance added climate control, heated front seats, rear view camera And alloy wheels. Top Tekna equipped leather steering wheel, system NissanConnect with navigation, light and rain sensors, and also LED optics (in later versions). Separately, it is worth noting the option "Around View Monitor" (all-round view), which was available for an additional fee - an extremely useful feature for parking in tight yards.

One of the key advantages Note 2 became the interior transformation system "Flexible Luggage Board System". She allowed:

• 🛋️ Fold the back row of seats in proportion 60:40 or completely.
• 🛋️ Adjust the height of the trunk floor (two-level floor).
• 🛋️ Install additional compartments for small items.

The trunk volume in the standard configuration was 320 l, and with the seats folded down - up to 1340 l. For comparison: Toyota Aqua these indicators are equal 251 l And 870 l accordingly.

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When inspecting a used one Nissan Note 2 be sure to check the operation of the seat transformation - plastic guides often break if used carelessly.

Comparison with competitors: Nissan Note 2 vs Toyota Aqua vs Honda Fit

Main rivals Nissan Note 2 in the compact van market - Toyota Aqua (aka Prius C) and Honda Fit (in Europe - Jazz). To understand which car is better, let’s compare them according to key parameters:

Parameter	Nissan Note 2 (1.2)	Toyota Aqua (1.5 hybrid)	Honda Fit (1.3/1.5)
Power, hp	79	99 (system)	99–130
Consumption in the city, l/100 km	6.2	3.7	5.8–6.5
Trunk volume, l	320–1340	251–870	298–1314
Ceiling height, mm	1400	1350	1370
Average used price (2020), rub.	950 000	1 200 000	1 050 000

Pros Nissan Note 2 before competitors:

• 💰 Lower price on the secondary market (10–20% cheaper Aqua).
• 📦 Larger trunk and more flexible interior transformation.
• 🔧 Easier and cheaper to repair (no complex hybrid systems like Toyota).

Cons compared to Aqua And Fit:

• ⛽ Higher fuel consumption (if you don’t take the version e-Power).
• 🚗 Less dynamic due to weak engine HR12DE.
• 🛡️ Worse sound insulation (especially noticeable at speeds above 100 km/h).

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If you need the most economical car, choose Toyota Aqua. If the priority is space and budget, Nissan Note 2 will be more optimal.

Typical problems and weaknesses of Nissan Note 2: what to look for when buying

Despite the reliability Nissan Note 2 has several “diseases” that you should know about before purchasing. The most common problems:

1. CVT Xtronic CVT - requires oil changes every 60,000 km (official regulations - 90,000 km, but it's risky). Signs of wear: jerks during acceleration, hum, switching delays. The cost of a major overhaul of the variator is from 150,000 rub.
2. Engine HR12DE - prone to maslozhora after 150,000 km (oil consumption up to 1 l/10,000 km). The reason is wear of the oil scraper rings. Solution: replacing the rings or switching to higher viscosity oil (5W-40 instead of 5W-30).
3. Suspension - front struts and stabilizer bushings wear out 80,000–100,000 km. Rear shock absorbers last longer, but after 120,000 km knocking noises may occur.
4. Electrics - frequent problems with throttle position sensor (symptom: floating speed) and climate control control unit (stops responding to commands).

Checklist for inspecting a used car Nissan Note 2:

Mileage and service history (especially CVT oil changes)|

Timing belt condition (replacement every 120,000 km)|

Seat transformation work (plastic guides)|

No oil stains under the engine (a sign of oil seal leakage)|

Test drive on a flat road (check for variator jerks) -->

⚠️ Attention: If the seller claims that the oil in the variator has not been changed “because it is there for its entire service life,” this is a reason to doubt its honesty. Nissan officially recommends changing the oil in CVT every 90,000 km, but in practice it is better to reduce the interval to 60,000 km.

One more nuance - corrosion. Body Note 2 galvanized, but there are weak points:

• 🔍 Thresholds (especially in places where there are chips).
• 🔍 Door edges and hood (begin to rust when the paintwork is damaged).
• 🔍 Rear bumper mounts (dirt accumulation leads to corrosion).

How to check the CVT on a test drive?

1. Accelerate smoothly to 60 km/h - there should be no jerks or dips.

2. At a speed of 80–100 km/h, press the gas sharply: if the speed “goes into the red zone” and the acceleration is weak, the variator is worn out.

3. Listen to the idle speed: a hum or vibration is a sign of problems with the bearings.

Owner reviews: real operating experience

Analysis of reviews on forums (Drive2, Drom.ru) and on social networks shows that Nissan Note 2 estimated by owners on average at 4.2 out of 5. Main advantages noted by users:

• 👍 Spacious salon - “Everything will fit, from a baby stroller to a bicycle.”
• 👍 Low cost of maintenance — "Spare parts are cheaper than Toyota or Honda".
• 👍 Convenient parking — "Small turning radius and good visibility."

Among the disadvantages most often mentioned are:

• 👎 Weak engine — “It’s scary to overtake on the highway, especially with a full load.”
• 👎 Noisy interior — “At speeds above 100 km/h, you can hear everything: the wind, the engine, the tires.”
• 👎 Stiff suspension — “The holes radiate into the back, especially from the rear.”

Interesting fact: owners of the hybrid version e-Power note that Fuel consumption increases slightly in winter (up to 5–5.5 l/100 km), while for gasoline versions it grows to 7–8 l/100 km. Many also praise smooth ride electric motor, especially in traffic jams.

⚠️ Attention: If you are considering Note 2 with a CVT, be sure to check whether the previous owner drove in neutral in traffic jams. This is a common mistake that leads to CVT overheating and reduces its resource.

Secondary market prices: how much does a Nissan Note 2 cost in 2026

Cost Nissan Note 2 in the secondary market depends on the year of manufacture, mileage and configuration. Below is the approximate price for Russia (according to Auto.ru And Drom.ru for May 2026):

Year of manufacture	Mileage, thousand km	Price, rub.	Notes
2016–2017	50–80	850 000 – 1 000 000	Most often Elegance with variator
2018–2019	30–60	1 000 000 – 1 200 000	Versions available with NissanConnect
2020	10–30	1 200 000 – 1 400 000	Practically new copies, often with a guarantee
2016–2020 (e-Power)	20–50	1 300 000 – 1 600 000	Hybrid versions are 20–30% more expensive

When purchasing, it is worth considering that:

• 💸 Cars with mileage up to 50,000 km often sold at inflated prices (resellers). Fair market value starts from 800,000 rub. for copies of 2016–2017.
• 🔧 Service history increases the cost by 10–15%. If there are receipts for changing the oil in the variator, this is a big plus.
• 🚗 Exterior colors: the most liquid are silver, black and white. Red and blue copies last longer.

Tip: if your budget is limited, pay attention to Note 2 2016–2017 with mileage up to 80,000 km in configuration Elegance. This is the optimal ratio of price and equipment. Hybrid version e-Power It’s worth taking only if you are willing to overpay for fuel savings (payback is from 3–4 years with a mileage of 20,000 km/year).

Is it worth buying a Nissan Note 2 in 2026: conclusions and recommendations

Nissan Note 2 — this is a car for those who appreciate practicality, space And low cost of ownership. It is ideal for:

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families with 1–2 children (convenient fastenings ISOFIX, spacious trunk).
• 🏙️ Urban operation (compact dimensions, good visibility).
• 💰 Budget shoppers (cheaper Toyota Aqua And Honda Fit with similar characteristics).

To whom Note 2 will not work:

• 🏍️ For those who love dynamic driving (motor HR12DE weak for overtaking).
• 🛣️ For those who often drive on highways (noisy interior, poor sound insulation).
• 🔧 For those who are not ready to monitor the variator (requires regular maintenance).

Recommendations for selection:

1. If needed most reliable option - take it Note 2 2018–2019 with manual transmission (less likely to break than CVT).
2. If the priority is efficiency, look for a hybrid e-Power, but be prepared for a higher price.
3. Before purchasing necessarily check the service history (especially changing the CVT oil and timing belt).

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Nissan Note 2 — one of the best options in the compact van class in terms of price/space/reliability. The main thing is to avoid vehicles with a “dead” variator and monitor the oil in the engine.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the Nissan Note 2

❓ Is it possible to install gas equipment on Nissan Note 2?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

• To the motor HR12DE they install 4th generation gas equipment, but due to the small engine volume (1.2 l) power drops by 10–15%.
• CVT CVT does not tolerate gas operation well - belt wear increases.
• Installation cost (from 50,000 rub.) will pay off only with a mileage of more than 30,000 km/year.

Conclusion: HBO is not practical for urban use. It is better to save on fuel by driving carefully.

❓ What resource does the variator have? Xtronic CVT in Note 2?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 60,000 km) the variator passes 200,000–250,000 km. Main enemies CVT:

• Overheating (driving in neutral in traffic jams).
• Aggressive driving style (sharp starts).
• Using non-original oil (only NS-2 or NS-3).

Signs of wear: jerking, humming, delays when switching. Repair costs 80,000–150,000 rub.

❓ What kind of oil to pour into the engine HR12DE?

Official recommendations Nissan:

• 5W-30 — for new engines (mileage up to 100,000 km).
• 5W-40 - for engines with mileage over 150,000 km (reduces oil burn).

Recommended brands: Mobil 1, Liqui Moly, Idemitsu. Refill volume - 2.7 l.

❓ Is it possible to tow a trailer on Nissan Note 2?

Technically yes, but with limitations:

• Maximum trailer weight - 450 kg (without brakes) or 900 kg (with brakes).
• For a CVT, towing is an additional load that reduces its service life.
• When driving with a trailer, fuel consumption increases by 20–30%.

Advice: if you need a car for regular towing, it is better to consider Nissan NV200 or crossover.

❓ Where was it produced? Nissan Note 2 for Russia?

Nissan Note 2 for the Russian market assembled at the factory Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (UK) until 2019. After this, production was moved to Japan (Oppama plant). Cars for the domestic Japanese market (including hybrid versions) were produced only in Japan.

Differences between European and Japanese assembly:

• 🇬🇧 British versions have thicker sound insulation.
• 🇯🇵 Japanese examples were often equipped with options not available in Europe (for example, e-Power).