Nissan Note technical specifications: engines, transmission, suspension and fuel consumption

Nissan Note is a compact hatchback that has gained popularity due to its practicality, efficiency and adaptability to urban conditions. The model was produced in two generations (E11 from 2004 to 2013 and E12/E13 from 2013 to 2020), as well as in the form of an electric vehicle Nissan Note e-Power for the Japanese market. In this article we will analyze technical specifications all versions, including engines, transmissions, chassis and actual fuel consumption.

Feature Note — modular platform Nissan B, which formed the basis of many alliance models Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. The car was positioned as a budget car, but with advanced solutions for its class: for example, the system Idling Stop (automatic engine shutdown at traffic lights) appeared in the first generation. Second Note (E12) received an updated suspension, more economical engines of the series HR and options with a robotic box Easy-R.

If you are choosing between petrol and hybrid versions or comparing Note with competitors like Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz, this article will help you understand the nuances. We will also pay attention unique features of the Japanese versions, which were not supplied to Europe, but may be of interest when importing used cars.

Nissan Note engines: comparison of HR12, HR16 engines and options for Japan

Engine range Nissan Note depended on the market and generation. In Europe, the main ones were gasoline aspirated series HR with continuously variable valve timing system CVTC. Let's look at them in more detail:

• 🔧 HR12DE (1.2 l, 80–98 hp) — base engine for the second generation (E12). Equipped with a system Idling Stop and complied with the standard Euro 6. In Japan it produced up to 98 hp. thanks to different ECU firmware.
• 🛢️ HR16DE (1.6 l, 110–117 hp) — a more powerful version with increased displacement. Paired with a variator Xtronic demonstrated better dynamics, but also greater fuel consumption.
• ⚡ HR12DDR (1.2 l, 98 hp) - hybrid version with system e-Power (Japan only). In fact it's HR12DE with an electric motor and a small battery that acts as a generator.

First generation (E11) was equipped with outdated engines CR14DE (1.4 l, 88 hp) and HR15DE (1.5 l, 109 hp), which were inferior in terms of efficiency and environmental friendliness. In Russia, these engines were rare due to low demand for low-power cars.

It is important to note that Japanese versions Note often had other ECU settings, which affected power and consumption. For example, HR12DE in Europe it produced 80 hp, and in Japan - 98 hp. at the same volume. This is due to local emissions regulations and driver preferences.

Transmission: manual transmission, Xtronic CVT and Easy-R robotic gearbox

Selecting a transmission for Nissan Note depended on the market and configuration. In Europe the most common were:

• ⚙️ 5-speed manual transmission - a reliable and maintainable option, especially when paired with HR12DE. The clutch life with careful driving exceeded 150,000 km.
• 🔄 Xtronic CVT - installed on version with HR16DE. Had an imitation of 7 stages and a mode Sport for more dynamic acceleration. The main disadvantage is sensitivity to overheating when towing.
• 🤖 Easy-R robotic gearbox - a budget alternative to a CVT, based on a 5-speed manual transmission with an automated clutch. Reviews from owners about it are contradictory: some praise its efficiency, others criticize it for jerkiness when switching.

Also offered in Japan 4-speed automatic transmission for motors HR15DE, but such versions were not officially supplied to Europe. CVT Xtronic is considered the most reliable option, provided regular oil changes every 60,000 km — otherwise, the risk of belt and bearing failure increases by 3–4 times.

When choosing a used one Note With a CVT, be sure to check the service history. If the previous owner ignored the regulations, be prepared for an oil change with flushing (cost ~15,000 RUR) or a major overhaul (from 80,000 RUR).

Suspension and chassis: design, weak points and tuning

Nissan Note built on a platform Nissan B, which was also used in Micra K13 And Renault Clio IV. Front suspension - MacPherson type, behind - semi-independent beam with torsion arms. This scheme provided comfort on uneven surfaces, but had a number of typical problems:

• 🔩 Wheel bearings — worn out by 80,000–100,000 km, especially on cars with an aggressive driving style. Symptom: hum when driving at speeds of 60–80 km/h.
• 🛞 Shock absorbers — the front struts lost efficiency after 60,000 km, the rear struts - after 80,000 km. Signs: body sway on bumps, deterioration in handling.
• 🔧 Levers and silent blocks — the resource is about 120,000 km, but when driving on bad roads it can be reduced to 80,000 km. Most often, the front lower control arms are affected.

The rear beam, despite its simplicity, required attention to the condition of the bushings and stabilizer struts. When they wore out, a characteristic knocking sound appeared on small irregularities. Unlike competitors (for example, Toyota Yaris with multi-link suspension), Note easier and cheaper to repair, but less precise to control at high speeds.

To tune the chassis, owners often install:

• 🚗 Lowering by 30–40 mm (springs H&R or Eibach), but this requires replacing the shock absorbers with shortened ones.
• 🔧 Reinforced anti-roll bars (for example, from Whiteline) to improve handling.
• 🛠️ Polyurethane silent blocks to increase suspension life.

What happens if you ignore a knock in the suspension?

Prolonged knocking in the front suspension (for example, worn bushings or ball joints) leads to uneven tire wear, poor handling and the risk of loss of control at speed. In the worst case, the suspension arm may snap, making the car uncontrollable. Repairs will cost 2–3 times more than timely replacement of parts (for example, a set of levers with silent blocks costs ~20,000 rubles, and the consequences of an accident cost from 100,000 rubles).

Dimensions, ground clearance and trunk volume: practicality in the city

Compact size is one of the key advantages Nissan Note. The car was ideal for parking in tight yards and maneuvering in city traffic. Below is a comparison of the dimensions of the two generations:

Parameter	Note E11 (2004–2013)	Note E12 (2013–2020)
Length	3,795 mm	4 100 mm
Width	1,690 mm	1,695 mm
Height	1 550 mm	1,520 mm
Clearance	150 mm	145 mm
Trunk volume	250–1,332 l	355–1,171 l

Second generation (E12) became 305 mm longer, which had a positive effect on the space for passengers and luggage. However, the ground clearance decreased by 5 mm, which made the car a little less passable on rough roads. For comparison: Toyota Yaris third generation ground clearance was 150 mm, and Honda Jazz - 155 mm.

Trunk volume in Note E12 (355 l) was one of the largest in the class, second only to Honda Jazz (354–1,314 l). With the rear seats folded (split 60:40), capacity increased to 1,171 liters. It is important to note that in the hybrid version e-Power The trunk was smaller due to the placement of the battery.

Fuel consumption: real figures vs factory data

Official fuel consumption data for Nissan Note often diverge from real indicators. The manufacturer stated the following figures (for HR12DE with manual transmission):

• 🏙️ Urban cycle: 5.7 l/100 km
• 🛣️ Extra-urban cycle: 4.2 l/100 km
• 🔄 Combined cycle: 4.7 l/100 km

However, according to reviews from owners, the actual consumption was:

• 🏙️ City (traffic jams): 7.0–8.5 l/100 km (up to 9.5 l in winter)
• 🛣️ Highway (90–110 km/h): 5.0–5.8 l/100 km
• 🔄 Mixed mode: 6.0–6.8 l/100 km

Several factors influenced consumption:

1. Transmission type: CVT Xtronic increased consumption by 0.5–1 l/100 km compared to manual transmission.
2. Driving style: Aggressive acceleration and braking increased fuel consumption by 15–20%.
3. Fuel quality: use gasoline with a lower octane number AI-95 led to detonation and increased consumption.
4. Condition of spark plugs and filters: Worn spark plugs could add up to 1 l/100 km.

Hybrid version Note e-Power in Japan showed a consumption of about 3.5–4.0 l/100 km in a mixed cycle, but its battery required regular recharging from the mains to maintain efficiency.

Use AI-95 or AI-98 gasoline|Check tire pressure (optimally 2.2–2.4 bar)|Avoid prolonged idling of the engine|Carry out chip tuning only in trusted services|Replace the air filter in a timely manner (every 15,000 km)-->

Electronics and security systems: what is included in different trim levels

Equipment Nissan Note depended on the market and year of manufacture. European versions of the second generation (E12) in top trim levels (Tekna) offered:

• 🚨 ESP stabilization system with hill start assist function (Hill Start Assist).
• 🎵 NissanConnect multimedia system with navigation and support Apple CarPlay (since 2017).
• 👁️ Rear view camera with dynamic marking lines.
• 🔋 Proximity Key (Intelligent Key) and the engine start button.

In basic versions (Visia) there was a minimum of electronics: only ABS, EBD and two front airbags. Japanese versions (Note e-Power) were additionally equipped with:

• 🚗 Adaptive cruise control (ProPILOT in versions from 2018).
• 🛑 Automatic braking system (AEB).
• 🔦 LED headlights with automatic light control (Auto Leveling).

Weak point of electronics Note were parking sensors, which often failed due to moisture getting into the connectors. The owners also complained about malfunctions NissanConnect, especially after firmware updates. To clear errors, it was sometimes necessary to disconnect the battery for 10–15 minutes.

Comparison with competitors: Nissan Note vs Toyota Yaris vs Honda Jazz

In the compact hatchback class Nissan Note competed with Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz And Hyundai i20. Let's compare the key parameters:

Parameter	Nissan Note E12 (HR12DE)	Toyota Yaris (1.5 l)	Honda Jazz (1.3 l)
Power, hp	80	110	102
Consumption in the city, l/100 km	7.0–8.5	6.5–7.8	6.8–8.0
Trunk volume, l	355	286	354
Price on the secondary market (2020), ₽	900 000–1 200 000	1 100 000–1 400 000	1 000 000–1 300 000

Nissan Note won by price And practicality (larger trunk, more spacious interior), but lost in dynamics and transmission reliability. For example, CVT Xtronic required more frequent maintenance than a robot Toyota MultiDrive or manual transmission in Honda Jazz.

Benefits Note:

• ✅ Lower cost of ownership (cheaper parts and maintenance).
• ✅ Spacious interior for its class.
• ✅ Good sound insulation (better than Yaris until 2020).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Weak dynamics with the motor HR12DE (acceleration to 100 km/h in 13.5 s).
• ❌ Sensitivity of the variator to overheating.
• ❌ Less reliable electronics compared to Toyota.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the technical characteristics of the Nissan Note

Which engine for Nissan Note is the most reliable?

Considered the most reliable HR16DE (1.6 l) thanks to the balanced design and lower load on the piston group compared to HR12DE. However, it is less economical. If the priority is a resource, choose HR16DE with manual transmission. Suitable for saving fuel HR12DE, but its power may not be enough for overtaking on the highway.

Is it possible to tow a trailer with a Nissan Note with a CVT?

Yes, but with reservations: the maximum weight of the trailer should not exceed 900 kg (for versions with HR16DE). CVT Xtronic sensitive to overheating, so when towing:

• Use the mode L (low gear) on inclines.
• Monitor the temperature of the transmission (if it overheats, the light comes on AT OIL TEMP).
• Change the oil in the variator every 30,000 km (instead of the standard 60,000 km).

What is the difference between the Nissan Note e-Power and the regular Note?

Note e-Power - a hybrid version sold only in Japan. Differences:

• 🔋 Gasoline engine HR12DDR works only as a generator for an electric motor.
• 🚗 Electric motor with a power of 109 hp. provides acceleration to 100 km/h in 10.3 s.
• ⚡ Fuel consumption ~3.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle.
• ❌ The trunk is smaller due to the battery (280 l versus 355 l).

Import e-Power to Russia is difficult due to differences in certification and lack of official support.

What is the service life of the HR12DE engine?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 10,000 km, original filters) service life HR12DE amounts to 250,000–300,000 km. Main problems:

• Timing chain wear (it is recommended to check the tensioner every 100,000 km).
• Valve contamination EGR (cleaning is required every 80,000–100,000 km).
• Crankshaft oil seal leaks (after 150,000 km).

The engine is sensitive to oil quality - use 5W-30 or 0W-20 with permission Nissan.

What kind of oil should I put in the Xtronic variator?

For CVT Xtronic in Nissan Note Only original oil is suitable Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 (catalog number KE909-99932). Analogs (for example, Idemitsu CVTF) can only be used as a last resort. Replacement interval:

• Every 60,000 km during normal use.
• Every 30,000 km for frequent towing or driving in traffic jams.

The oil volume for a complete change is 7.5 l, for a partial change (drain/fill) - 4.5 l.