2014 Nissan Versa Note

Modern personality.  Roomy.  Affordable.  The 2014 Nissan Versa Note is all of these things and more.

I had the pleasure of attending a Media Preview for the Versa Note in San Diego, CA on behalf of Simply Being Mommy.  I found the 2014 Nissan Versa Note was designed to be energetic & active, modern & stylish.  It’s tech-heavy, expressive, & versatile, while still being cost-effective.

Some of my favorites features of the car included its technology, roominess, and pricing.

Technology

While testing the car, we traversed San Diego County from the desert hills to the coast.  Those “Did I miss the street?” questions could have plagued my drive and lessened the enjoyment of touring the town.  Using NissanConnect with Navigation, I was able to hear and see exactly where I needed to be.  Our destinations had been pre-programmed, but I could have easily done that myself prior to departure if needed.

Another great tech feature is the Around View Monitor.  Using 4 cameras discreetly placed in front & rear Nissan emblems and in the side view mirrors, drivers are granted a bird’s eye view of the car.  This was crucial in the obstructed-view parking test.  With the side & back windows blacked out, I relied solely on these cameras to assist in parking.  Out of habit I found myself scanning the side windows to gauge my location, but by the second time I was accustomed to using the dual-display monitor.

Looking for more tech features?  The Nissan Versa Note also features hands-free text messaging, Bluetooth audio streaming & Pandora Radio compatibility, and Google Send-to-Car & Points of Interest.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note features above-class technology.  Most cars at the this price point don’t have rear-view cameras, let alone 4 cameras!

Roominess

The Versa Note boasts the “Best in Class Passenger Room & Cargo.” Since I spent part of the drive as the passenger, I was pleasantly surprised by the front headroom.  Granted, I’m not a tall person but I never felt cramped.  I also kept my purse and camera bag at my feet, and still had tons of space to stretch out while seeing the sights.  One comment I heard at lunch was that despite driving for 80 miles, there wasn’t the need to shift your body weight or arch your back out of uncomfortableness.

One of the highlights of the 2014 Versa Note is the cargo space.  The hatchback styling serves as a portal to what you love.  The promotions call it your “door to more.”  The Divide-N-Hide adjustable floor allows for flat loading or maximum cargo capacity & security by storing above and below the adjustable floor.

So how do you get tons of stuff inside?  In addition to the trunk space, drivers can lay the back seats completely flat.  The 60/40 seats fold independently which gives even greater flexibility.  We saw the Versa Note stuffed with all the gear you’d need to go beach camping: a tent, food supplies, and a surfboard.

Competitive Pricing

The Versa Note is competively priced with a MSRP of $13,990 for its base model.  To take advantage of the great tech features I’d go up to the SV model with a MSRP of $15,990.  This model features the Bluetooth hands free component, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and silver & chrome interior.

The value of the Versa Note doesn’t stop once you drive off the dealer’s lot.  The 2014 Nissan Versa Note can go from Yosemite to San Diego on one tank of gas.  The 40 Highway MPG gives the Versa Note the best in class fuel economy.  Also, low rolling resistance (RRC) tires as a standard feature enables you to travel further on one tank.   I checked the fuel gauge after driving 80 miles on the highway, through the city, and on windy roads.  By the end of the journey, we hadn’t used even a quarter of a tank!

While driving the car, I was pleased by its great handling.  Since it’s a small car, I thought it’d be lacking in power.  Instead we made it up the hills of the San Diego countryside easily.  Since I drive a much longer & heavier car normally, it felt zippy and simple to navigate.  Was it equivalent to a luxury car? No, not really.  But it was a great ride at an affordable price.

Does the 2014 Nissan Versa Note sound right for you?  Check back here shortly and I’ll share who I think this car would be best suited to.