Nissan now, it seems, are specialising in unusual cars with great effect. The Qashqai, for example, is a raging success, yet it’s neither a proper 4x4 nor a real estate car, more a combination of the two. No matter, it’s gone down fantastically well.

But the same could be said of the Note – a combination of family car and people-carrier, and it, too, is popular.

Note is not really that small by compact city car standards, yet visually you’d never know it, while it’s infinitely more practical than a conventional hatchback runabout.

From the car’s modest footprint to its flexible seating and big car driving feel, it’s no wonder that some see it as a winning alternative to the assembled ranks of conventional tin boxes.

You can’t stand still in this business and, despite the praise that’s already been heaped upon the Note, Nissan has refreshed its small car with a big heart – and cabin.

The car has a re-shaped bonnet, front bumper and headlamps, and the taillights now sport a dark tint, while there are new 15 and 16-inch alloy wheel designs.

The three trim levels (Visia, Acenta, Tekna) all have a generous amount of kit. Visia-badged cars have a CD player with an aux-in socket, twin front and side airbags, electric front windows and a sliding rear seat. All that’s left to add is air conditioning.

Air-con is something you’ll get on the Acenta cars, along with cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connection, two more airbags, electric mirrors and a flexible storage system. Move up to the range-topping Tekna and you get part-leather seats, ESP, climate control, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors.

But one optional item is worth a mention all of its own – the new low-cost combined sat-nav and audio unit is quite special. At £400, it has a touchscreen interface for the sat-nav, integrated phone via Bluetooth and a quality audio system packing MP3 player and USB memory inputs.

You have a choice between 1.4 and 1.6 petrol units, plus a 1.5-litre diesel. All work well, are refined and willing and, in the case of the diesel, emit a low 119g/km CO2. For most people the 88 horsepower 1.4 petrol motor will be more than enough: it returns close to 50mpg and never feels strained.

If you want to exploit the Note’s big car character, the diesel can swallow miles with ease.

The solid feel of the cabin, the car’s comfortable ride, high levels of refinement and confidence-inspiring handling all add up to one impressive package.

Front seat occupants are blessed with a lot of space for this size of car. Move to the back and it’s positively limousine-like. Headroom is good, as is legroom.

The ability to slide the rear seat gives you the chance to have more storage space or passenger space, depending on your circumstances. The ‘flexi-board’ option, to hide valuables out of sight in the boot or accommodate extra-tall objects, is another clever feature.

Okay, so Nissan isn’t the only maker with a car like the Note. It has, however, managed to make its offering one of the most polished examples in this class. A versatile, refined, well-equipped and good value proposition, the talented Note scores on all levels.