THE new Nissan Note is a hoot to drive - much better than its previous family friendly image might have you believe.

All models have low emissions and they also come with excellent safety built in.

The Sunderland-made five door is now more of a hatch than an estate, but don't let that fool you. Interior space is huge, and there's still a big boot under the easy-lifting hatch.

Safety includes a blind spot warning system, lane departure warning and an advanced moving object detection system that alerts drivers to pedestrians in the line of travel.

Stop/start is standard across the range and petrol engines are 1.2-litre 79bhp with 60mpg economy, or 1.2 97bhp giving 65mpg and 99g/km emissions.

Diesel is represented by a newly engineered 1.5 turbo diesel with 88bhp, 95g/km of CO2 and economy of 78mpg.

The ride is excellent, and handling and roadholding much better than a cooking family car has a right to.

Big front and rear doors make for very easy access and the driving position is excellent for all sizes of driver.