The Nissan Note e-Power – a once Japan-exclusive gem that has now found its way into the global market as a captivating grey import. This electrified marvel squares off against formidable rivals like the Honda Jazz/Fit, Mazda 2, and Toyota Yaris, but it takes a distinctive road less travelled in the world of hybrids.

In a departure from the norm, the Note e-Power doesn’t simply pair a petrol engine with electric assistance. Instead, it adopts a novel concept known as a series hybrid or range-extender hybrid. Nissan dubs this trailblazing system “e-Power.”

Here’s the ingenious twist: a pint-sized 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine serves solely as a generator, recharging the vehicle’s battery pack. Once fully charged, the battery delivers power to an 80kW electric traction motor – a sibling to the one you’d find in the Nissan Leaf.

While the Note carries a more modest 1.5kWh battery compared to the Leaf’s larger unit, it keeps the petrol engine in its corner, ready to refuel the battery as needed.

The result? Jaw-dropping efficiency figures of 34 kilometres per litre or a mere 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres, translating into a remarkable range of around 1,500 kilometres on a single tank of petrol, assuming the stars align perfectly.

For aficionados seeking a dash of sportiness, the Note e-Power Nismo edition stands as a beacon of automotive prowess.

These variants feature a dynamic appearance, with LED headlights, exclusive badging, suspension tuning for a sharper ride, distinctive seats, a stylish body kit that commands attention, wheels that scream performance, and a striking interior splashed with bold red accents.

And for those who crave even more electrifying power, the e-Power Nismo S version cranks it up with an additional 25% boost in electric motor output, elevating the driving experience to a whole new level and arguably offering a glimpse into the future of hot hatches.

Owning a Note e-Power is tempting, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons. Read on to learn more about bringing this unique hybrid into your life.

What goes wrong with a used Nissan Note e-Power NISMO?

Exterior:

A minor concern reported involves the potential failure of the third brake light. This issue typically arises from water intrusion into the hatch area, resulting in damage to the bulb. While we’re not talking about significant water ingress, it can still be a nuisance.

However, being a Nissan, there have been sporadic reports of minor electronic glitches on cars from this era. These issues may include occasional problems with door lock actuators, indicator relays, and power mirrors. It’s worth noting that such issues are infrequent and generally straightforward to rectify, but it’s wise to be aware of them.

The primary exterior concern is the risk of an accident. If the Note is involved in an accident, sourcing replacement parts and body panels can be a challenge.

Unlike some vehicles where local dealerships readily stock parts, components for the Note typically need to be imported from Japan, resulting in both time and financial costs.

For minor scuffs, you can continue driving the car while awaiting parts, but for more substantial damage that keeps the vehicle off the road, the wait time for replacement parts can be uncertain.

Interior:

The good news is that we didn’t uncover any “common” issues. While there have been a few reports of air-conditioning malfunctions, many of the air-conditioning components are shared with other Nissan and Renault models, which could make repairs more affordable.

Similarly, unlike the exterior, we didn’t find any electronic complaints specific to the Note. However, it’s worth noting that Nissans from this era can occasionally exhibit electronic quirks.

Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing one of these vehicles, it’s advisable to thoroughly test all functions and features to ensure they are in proper working order.

Mechanically:

Significant problems with the Nissan Note e-Power are rare, though there have been reports of generator and drive motor failures.

Additionally, there have been isolated cases of software, inverter, and hybrid control complications, although these are not considered common issues.

The internal combustion engine (ICE) in this vehicle is reliable, with no significant issues. Regular servicing should prevent problems like water pump leaks and ignition coil issues.

Should you buy a used Nissan Note e-Power NISMO?

Before we make the recommendation to buy or not buy, let us clarify that the Note Nismo S might be the future of hot hatches. 

In the past, hot hatches were synonymous with compact, practical, and reasonably priced vehicles that aimed to provide an enjoyable driving experience through engaging handling.

However, in recent times, the hot hatch segment has shifted its focus towards raw acceleration and track performance, often at the expense of growing in size and cost.

Even as we look ahead to the next generation of electric hot hatches, models like the Hyundai Ionic 5 N are undoubtedly poised to deliver exhilarating performance.

Still, they come with a hefty price tag, exceeding $100,000, and packing around 600 horsepower. The question arises: where and when can you truly exploit such power without running afoul of the law? Using that level of performance on public roads is a risky endeavour.

Now, let’s talk about the solution.

The Nissan Note e-Power combines efficiency, practicality, ease of ownership, affordability, and reliability. More importantly, from a driving perspective, it delivers the sensation of speed that far exceeds its actual numbers while consistently providing an abundance of guilt-free fun.

While models like the Polo GTI or Fiesta ST may outpace it in every scenario for sheer performance, the Note e-Power remains equally entertaining and practical. Moreover, it has the potential to save you thousands in running costs.

So, should you consider purchasing one? Absolutely, without a doubt. It’s genuinely one of the most remarkable cars we’ve had the pleasure of driving.