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Nissan Note vs Honda Fit: Which One Is Your New Hatchback?

ByJohn Kelly-December 12, 2023

Good-looking subcompact hatchbacks have a strong fan base. Their attractive looks, good maneuverability, and strong fuel economy have always created a strong appeal among potential customers.

Two such popular subcompact hatchbacks in this line are Nissan Note and Honda Fit. Make a Nissan Note vs Honda Fit comparison, and you’ll find that both the cars look pretty good, drive well, and look almost identical! 

Besides, their smart cargo management is perfect for packing even a week’s shopping.

Nissan Note vs Honda Fit Comparison

Comparing the two hatchbacks side-by-side is the right way to find out their positive and negative sides. We’ve used the Nissan Note and Honda Fit models of the same year 2015 for this comparison.

Exterior

The outside design of the Note is curved and streamlined, giving it a unique, vibrant, and appealing appearance. 

It has Nissan’s V-Motif front grille, swept-back headlamps, flared wheel arches on the sides, and 15 or 16-inch wheels. Overall, the Note is a stylish car with a dynamic appearance.

On the other hand, the Fit is attractive on the outside. It comes with shapes flowing from the grille and headlamps, giving it a distinct feel. On the sides, its curved body is streamlined with side molding that shields the doors while also providing the car a fashionable appearance. 

The Fit has LED brake lights at the back that add to its originality, and a spoiler at the top of the rear hatch helps the car’s aerodynamics.

Comfort

The interior of Nissan is amazingly significant. (Photo: Motor Trend)

Both the hatchbacks have five seats but the Note provides more headroom and a longer wheelbase to the comfort of adult passengers. 

Its interior also looks better due to the black trim and a mix of chrome and silver accents. However, the cushier seats of the Fit will definitely win hearts.

Versatility

The outstanding outlook of the Nissan Note is hard to ignore. (Photo: Nissanshop)

The Note has a multi-level floor and a bigger trunk space but the Fit is more versatile if you consider its folding options. Along with many Nissan facts you might not know, this brand is also known for its versatility.

Fold the seats of the Honda Fit and you’ll be surprised to see how many things you can stuff into such a small car. Flip up the seat bottoms and you can easily fit a keg of soda pop or a weird piece of furniture.

Tech

The technology of each car is different. (Photo: NetCarShow)

The Fit clearly leads this section with a wide range of features and entertainment properties. It has an infotainment display that can be turned into a blind-spot camera, power windows, Bluetooth audio streaming feature, six speakers, and a multi-angle rearview camera.

On the other hand, the Note has a rear-view camera but it doesn’t feature the brand’s AroundView technology and four speakers. Both the cars have climate control features with the Fit having heated seats option.

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Drive

The speed and power of the Nissan Note are undeniable. (Photo: Motor Trend)

The Fit is a bit sporty while the Note drives smoother. Driving the Note is relaxed as you can comfortably take turns at sharp bends. However, the Fit has a more powerful 1.5 L engine that produces 130 hp.

On the contrary, Note’s 1.6 L engine does not deliver more than 109 hp.

Safety 

The Note includes four (six upper trims) airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, cruise control, remote central locking, seat belt reminder buzzer, and the Nissan Safety Shield, which includes a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, blind-spot assistance, and moving object detection.

For the Honda Fit, the current and earlier models come preinstalled with a number of safety measures. 

Driver assistance technology, automatic emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, front airbags, front side airbags, side-curtain airbags, four-wheel ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, and a lane departure warning system are among them.

Value

Both cars provide reasonable price. (Photo: NetCarShow)

Both the cars provide almost similar fuel economy. The Note burns 7.1 L for crossing 100 km while Fit burns 7.4 L for crossing the same distance. 

In more details, over an ordinary day of driving, the Honda Fit achieves fuel efficiency of up to 8.1L/100 km* in the city, 6.4L/100 km on the motorway, and 7.4L/100 km on the highway.

While for the Nissan Note, even the standard 1.2-litre 80 engine averages 60.1mpg – despite its modest price, it’s no low-tech option. Sub-110g/km CO2 is also impressive: it’s an excellent choice if your requirements are minimal.

Overall, Fit is a better option with its faster speed, versatility, and more entertainment options. Nevertheless, the Note can be a good option too if you can score a good purchase from the secondhand market.

FAQs on Nissan Note vs Honda Fit

  1. Is Nissan more durable than Honda?

Honda has a strong reputation for dependability, and their vehicles often keep more of their value over the same time periods as Nissan models.

This implies that while a used Honda may be more expensive than a used Nissan from the same year, it will also have a greater trade-in value.

  1. Which Nissan has the best gas mileage?

The 2022 Nissan Versa, which gets 40 highway mpg and 32 city mpg, is the most fuel-efficient Nissan with a gas engine. The Altima and Sentra are good eco-friendly alternatives, while the new Nissan Rogue has the best fuel efficiency ratings among Nissan SUVs.

  1. Why did Nissan discontinue production of the Nissan Note?

For the European market, the second-generation Note was replaced in 2017 by the French-built K14 Micra. The Versa Note was discontinued in North America in 2019 owing to the region’s declining demand for subcompact hatchbacks.

  1. What are the most common Honda Fit issues?

  • Faulty starter
  • Engine failure
  • Oxygen sensor problems
  • Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • Clear-coat fading
  1. What are the common Issues of Nissan Note?

  • Excessive engine vibration
  • Odd “whistling” sound
  • The temperature light does not turn off
  • Back seats are awkward
  • Broken air conditioner
  • Windshield wipers operate on their own
  • Problem with the gearshift
  • Clicking noises at the steering region

As you can see, the Note and Fit don’t have many differences. The Fit is more dependable but more expensive than the Note. The Nissan Note, on the other hand, is more capacious than the Honda Fit. 

We hope you can now choose between the Nissan Note vs Honda Fit based on your intended purpose and budget!

John Kelly is co-ordinator and writer at Car Talk of Car From Japan. Holding a MA in Public Relations and Journalism, he has 6 working years for Sales & Marketing Department of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. John provides a unique look at Japanese cars through an American’s look, and fills his blog with everything from car restoration to history. His biggest hobbies are car and photography. Hence, when visit John’s articles, besides lots and lots of pages of information about car review and car comparison to scroll through, you also can see many interesting pictures of famous car brand from his own perspective.

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