5 speed Versa Note - testing the same drivetrain as Micra (test drive review)

[AlphaMicra]

I've got a Micra itch to scratch, and I missed last Thursday's dealership event when the Micra came to visit...so I took my family down to the dealership to take a 5 speed Note out for a spin; given that it has the same engine, transmission, and many interior details as the Micra, it seemed a logical way to spend a Saturday morning.

I'm used to driving a Grand Am GT with a 3.4L V6. While the Note didn't have the launch power nor the long legs I was accustomed to, it was thoroughly enjoyable and managed to bring a smile to my face when I let it wind out.

The engine was smooth and quiet with a surprisingly flat power band and a smooth shifting 5 speed transmission. Shifting was so smooth, I didn't need to use the clutch shifting from 3-4 or 4-5; I rev-matched and the shifter moved easily into the appropriate gears. Downshifting was equally smooth and predictable.

At highway speeds, I'm used to my V6 loafing at around 2000 RPM, but in the Note, it was 3000 RPM and up. However, much to my surprise, the car remained quiet and composed even as I took it up to the hammer lane speeds; without the tach, I might have assumed the engine was turning much lower than it was. The Note held its own on the highway very nicely.

Cornering and braking were predictable and strong, providing me with confidence. While not quite the G-force inducing cornering I enjoyed in the Grand Am GT, I could still push the corners pretty hard without much drama.

If the Note is any indication, I expect the Micra, with its lighter weight and stabilizer bars, to be a complete riot to drive. I liked the Note, so I believe I'm going to love driving the Micra.