Kilometres travelled
75,000 - 100,000 km
Did you buy this car new or used?
Used
If used, what year did you buy it used?
2021
How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs)
$15,000
What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs?
I was wanting an EV but wasnt ready to take the plunge so I had read up on this car and a friend had one as a second car. The cost of running and maintenance was a huge factor and as a second car uses it as a city runabout. It meets my needs more than ever.
What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you.
I was worried it was going to be a bit of a nana car and might have issues with the tech with tit being a series hybrid (its uses the same tech from the Leaf). The engine charges the battery and doesn't drive the car. It literally runs the electric motor. I was impressed by its compact size and that it wouldn't be difficult to drive and park.
What have you discovered since owning the car?
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The drivetrain takes a little while to get used to with no actual transmission and uses the same tech as the Leaf. I owned a Tiida before this car and the CVT gearbox was a pain and not very responsive. This is so much fun, there are different drive modes for the roads you are on. Eco mode uses regen braking (which is really addictive), S mode is a combo of Eco and Normal mode and Normal mode drives like an ICE car (with a little regen) but the last mode is the more fun because this little car is fast!!!
Nissan E pedal mode is here but its on by using the modes as I mentioned so no on or off button which is good as it should be standard in cars. The wear and tear on the brakes is next to nothing due to regen mode.
The rear seats are amazing, lots of room and the passenger doors all open at 90 degrees so plenty of room to get in and out. The boot is a little on the small side but can take a set of golf clubs. It has all the safety tech rear camera, collision detection, traction control etc my model doesnt have the full kit so misses out on things like parking sensors, cruise control etc.
It has been so cheap to run and the best thing is you can easily get up to 1000kms on a single tank. No need to plug the car in for power the engine charges the car itself.
What do you like/dislike about the car?
Addictive driving and easy car to drive once you master it. That rear seating space. Very fast car at the lights so you will leave many cars behind (almost Tesla like ish).
Very cheap to run and service. With the regen braking it reduces the wear and tear on the brakes and I have yet to replace the brake pads since owning the car. Servicing is simple, just engine oil and brake fluid and tires if they need to replace.
The styling is a little odd (hence the nana tag), the Nismo does make it look very sporty and that's even faster than the standard e-power Note. Materials can feel a bit cheap as its based on a budget car so you are paying for the tech. The engine noise when its charging the battery can be a bit instant and loud (it sits at a constant revs but its not revving hard), you wlll get use to this. The newer model 2020 onwards is much more refined.
Any other comments on the car?
Cheap to insure, has full security suite, if you want more pep and want to look cool get the Nismo if you just want something to pop around town then the standard Note e-power will be for you.
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Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
Its a great car that I would buy again, but its a car for people who arent ready to commit to a full EV but still get that EV experience in terms of instant torque and quietness at low speeds. My next car will be a full EV!!!!