Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Nissan
  3. Nissan Versa Note
  4. Used 2017 Nissan Versa Note
  5. Used 2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Hatchback

Used 2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Hatchback Review

More about the 2017 Versa Note
More about the 2017 Versa Note

Consumer reviews

There are no consumer reviews for the 2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Hatchback.

Be the first to write a review

Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Hatchback

Pros & Cons

  • Roomy interior with an adult-friendly backseat
  • Affordable base price
  • Clever cargo space
  • High fuel economy
  • Slow acceleration and lackluster handling
  • Noisy engine doesn't sound very refined
  • No telescoping steering wheel
  • Low-quality interior materials

Which Versa Note does Edmunds recommend?

The base S Plus trim is far too bare-bones even for the price, with hand-cranked windows and an actual key to open and start the car. We recommend stepping up to the SV trim so you won't feel like you got stuck with the last car at a rental counter.

Stepping up to higher trims yields diminishing returns, particularly if you're in the majority who own a smartphone. Free apps for navigation and entertainment are a fine substitute for the factory options and features.

Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Nissan Versa Note Hatchback

by the Edmunds Experts

What’s new

For 2017, the Versa Note receives a styling update to bring it in line with other Nissan vehicles. The previous base S trim with a manual transmission has been discontinued. Other changes include larger cupholders, a relocation of the USB port and 12-volt outlets, and the addition of a second 12-volt outlet on some trims.

Vehicle overview

There was a time when the Versa Note would have been considered an admirable hatchback for shoppers on a tight budget. Recently, however, even this humble vehicle class has experienced significant gains in quality, feature content and performance, but the Versa has somehow missed this renaissance.

Compared to competing hatchbacks, the Versa Note is slow, not particularly engaging to drive and lacking in refinement. To its credit, it does offer a lot of rear passenger space and a clever cargo system, but these are not enough to warrant a strong recommendation. We suggest checking out the alternatives before settling on the Versa Note.

2017 Nissan Versa Note models

The 2017 Nissan Versa Note hatchback seats five and is offered in four trim levels: S Plus, SV, SR and SL. It's powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (109 horsepower, 107 pound-feet of torque), routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on the way to the front wheels.

Standard feature highlights for the base S Plus trim include 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, a tilt-only steering wheel, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone integration and a four-speaker CD player with auxiliary audio input.

The SV trim adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, power windows, upgraded gauges, additional interior trim, upgraded cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat with an armrest, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an adjustable cargo floor, a 5-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth streaming audio, USB-iPod audio input, satellite radio and a hands-free text messaging assistant.

Stepping up to the SR trim adds sporty exterior treatments, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, a rear spoiler, keyless ignition, Nissan's Easy-Fill Tire Alert system that beeps when the correct pressure has been reached, a sport steering wheel, faux suede upholstery and a center rear armrest. At the top of the Versa Note range, the SL trim is enhanced with a 5.8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system with real-time traffic, a suite of mobile apps, a 360-degree camera system and heated front seats.

Some features are available on supporting trims as options.

Trim tested

2014 Nissan Versa Note SV Hatchback (1.6L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD)

Driving

2.5
With a meager 109-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, nontraditional transmission and uninspiring handling, the Versa Note offers little in terms of performance. This is strictly a point A to point B car with minimal entertainment in between.

Comfort

2.5
The Versa Note is plagued by below-average seat comfort, a jittery ride and plenty of wind, road and engine noise. These are low scores even for the economy hatchback class.

Interior

3.0
A few clever and unexpected measures offset the usual subcompact interior qualities and drawbacks. The Versa Note SV's materials are notably better than those on the lower trim levels, but they're not much better than average for the segment.

Utility

3.0
Cargo space is about average for the class behind the rear seats but small when it comes to maximum capacity. The rear seats do fold flat, and the adjustable cargo floor could prove useful in some cases.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Nissan Versa Note in Virginia is:

$61.33 per month*
Legal

Related Used 2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Hatchback info

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Lease deals by make

Lease deals by model