Nissan has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years, achieving some surprising successes in niche areas of the market. It has had a reputation for dullness in the past, so it should therefore be commended for building some stylish and distinctive cars - the Qashqai and Juke have been good examples of late - but occasionally the firm does hit something of a bum Note.
This car does chalk that lack of ostentation up in its favour, though, prioritising useful space for a family of five over look-at-me styling. Thankfully the Note can deliver on this backwards promise by actually providing plenty of space inside that will swallow families whole. The Note will even hold four six-foot adults in comfort, which is impressive for its size.
There are thoughtful touches inside too, such as the rear bench that slides backwards and forwards to provide more leg room or boot space depending on what you need. There are nooks and cubbies throughout the interior that haven't just been thrown about, they're designed with specific needs in mind.
The standard specification is fairly good, and you don't have to miss the sat-nav option from the list of extras because it's often far cheaper to go for an aftermarket number anyway. Parents who are shuttling their young families around will get peace of mind from the amount of safety equipment that comes with the Note too.
The one area where the Note shows distinct weakness is with its engines, which are something of a grey area - the petrols are perky but unrefined and the diesel is frankly soporific. The gearboxes don't gel well with the motors either, feeling somewhat disjointed from the action. The best engine to go for is the 1.6-litre petrol, which provides the most performance of the lot.
Despite all that, the Note is another MPV where Dad needn't compromise on driving enjoyment for the sake of being able to fit the family in one space at one time. It handles neatly through the corners and borders on being fun, disguising its own weight and containing body roll well. The Note doesn't display the lethargy on turn-in that plagues some rivals.
The Note ultimately passes by any vain attempts at fame and beauty in favour of the honest pursuit of seeing families through the hectic whirlwind of daily life with some degree of organisation and comfort - and pulls it off nicely.