THERE was a time when a driver who wanted more space than his saloon provided, would go looking for an estate version, but of course, there was a big price difference.
A cheaper way out was to buy a van, which was exempt of tax, and fit side windows to give a station-wagon look. Add two former bus seats from Johnny Dodd’s scrapyard at West Green and the job was complete.
There was lots of head and leg room plus ample luggage space from the two rear doors. Customs and Excise soon caught on as well, and started taxing such vehicles.
The Ford range of commercials were popular for conversion, but today there is no need to follow the do-it-yourself route because there are so many super multi-purpose vehicles available.
The latest to cater for young or teenage families is the Nissan Note, which is made in Britain, at Sunderland. It is a family hatchback that offers comfort and equipment of a car in a higher sector and is so easy to drive.
To give you some idea about size, the Note slots into the company’s range above the Micra and is larger than Renault’s Modus, which I feel shares some of the attributes.
It is shorter than the VW Golf overall, but the wheelbase is longer to give such a lot of space. But although there is plenty of interior space it does not have that uncomfortable feeling of loneliness, so much evident in multi-purpose vehicles.
The seats and driving position are good and the trim of high quality. The fascia is not overdone, the controls and dials are in just the right places, but the radio seems to have more buttons than the rest of the car.
The fascia is one of the best in the market sector and although the top is deep, there is not reflection in the screen. There is no unnecessary gadgetry.
A nice touch is the rear seat which slides to give more load space or leg room. The boot area has a false floor, which is covered by twin steel-framed boards, the Flexi-Board system. It can stand sufficient weight, but lifting the boards reveals a secret storage compartment.
It is easy to slide the rear seat forward, by one hand, in fact, and then lowering the luggage boards offers 380 litres of space. Remove the boards, and it goes up to 437 litres.
When it comes to space, the glovebox, which is heated or cooled on some models, can take 12 drink cans. There’s lots of storage places and folding trays behind seats plus a secret compartment under the front seat.
What I did like in the glovebox was a special space for the ever-increasing handbook. Well planned. There are two petrol and a diesel for power, and I tried the 1.4 petrol which develops 88bhp and has a top speed of 103mph and offers combined consumption of 45mpg.
The 1.6 develops 110bhp and has a top speed of 114mph and consumption of 43mpg. It also comes as an automatic.
The 1.5 diesel has a turbocharger and develops 86bhp, has a top speed of 104mpg and offers over 55mpg.
It is a super performer and is shared with the Renault Clio.
The Note may be aimed at younger families, but I feel it will also appeal to older drivers who have found that time has stiffened their joints, and they want a car that has easy access and exit.
It looks good and the rear light clusters, high up the bodywork, are smart and useful.
The price range is: £9,995 to £12,995.
