| provided by: |  |
Christopher Jackson | 9/7/2007 | Nissan
With every redesign, cars get a little bit larger and a little bit more luxurious. This annual growth of compact cars has pushed many economy cars out of the range of what folks consider affordable, and what used to be entry-level is now 'aspirational.' With starting prices over $14,000, Toyota's Corolla and Honda's Civic can hardly be considered entry-level any more. Enter the Nissan Versa
Like several other diminutive 2007 debutantes, the Versa aims to fill that void.
Little cars aren't just for first-time buyers any more, either. Fuel economy and friendly driving manners appeal to buyers across the spectrum, and the Versa has both in spades. It's been on sale in Japan as the Tiida, where it's sold as a near-luxury compact, a class of cars rarely seen on this side of the Pacific. The U.S. version isn't quite as zooty, but the Versa is well-equipped in standard form.
Nissan insists that Scion is not on its list of intended competitors, but the Versa's stylish exterior is likely to attract fashion-conscious buyers. The design borrows obvious DNA from the rest of the Nissan lineup, especially the handsome Murano SUV and Quest minivan. The Versa's strong, arched body and wrapped grille give it a unique look. Four- and five-door models are available. It's somewhat sportier than other small crossover-type vehicles like the Suzuki Aerio.
Interior space and amenities are the watchwords. The Versa is less overtly petite than the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. Interior space rivals that of the larger Sentra, in fact. Unlike most subcompacts, the back seat is large enough for full-sized human beings to stretch out in comfort, and the Versa manages this trick without being an unabashed cube like the Scion xB. It's spacious front and rear. The Versa also sports great build quality; subcompacts have a tendency to feel indifferently built, but that rattly feeling isn't present in this flyweight. Careful attention to sound deadening has resulted in a dramatically quiet interior. The cargo-friendly rear section will hold 13.7 cubic feet of cargo. The Versa is better suited to carrying passengers though, thanks to the room y rear seat and rear seatbacks that don't fold flat into the floor.
The Versa also imitates larger cars with its equipment list. Nissan's gambit for making entry-level a more attractive prospect is to offer the same stuff you can get in larger cars. To that end, the Versa's options list includes Bluetooth phone connectivity, satellite radio and Nissan's Intelligent Key system, which allows the car to be started while the key fob remains in the driver's pocket. Worried about the safety of small cars versus larger ones? The Versa comes standard with front and side airbags, and side-curtain bags are available.
The Versa further distinguishes itself from the other flyweights by offering more under the hood. Power is provided by a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine. At 122 horsepower, it's still frugal, but burlier than the 1.5 liter powerplants found in the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the Versa's primary competitors. Twenty horsepower may not seem like much on paper, but when dealing with subcompact cars it can have a significant effort. On the road, the Versa is happiest when it's fighting with rush hour traffic. The freeway ride is surprisingly composed and quiet, but this car doesn't like long, steep hills. A choice of six-speed manual, four-speed automatic or continuously variable transmissions (CVT) is available. The "gear-less" CVT is the latest fashionable tool for improving the fuel economy of non-hybrids, and in smaller cars like the Versa it has the added bonus of making the most of the comparatively low horsepower rating. Imperceptible shifts are the CVT's stock in trade, and improve the feeling of ride quality. The CVT doesn't like to downshift quickly, so twisty roads and short passing zones are not the Versa's friends. The upside to the lazy CVT is fuel economy; the Versa will hit 33 mpg on the freeway.
The Versa's suspension was designed with U.S. roads in mind, using shock absorbers designed for "ripple control" to smooth freeway travel. The compact suspension uses struts up front and a compact twist-beam rear axle that doesn't encroach on interior space in the rear. Compared to the Fit and Yaris, the Versa feels less nimble than either of those micro-commuters. Seat-of-the-pants agility is on par with the Scion xB.
It's clear after a test drive that the Versa is a half-step above the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, while still remaining a step below larger cars like its showroom-mate the Sentra. Buyers looking to spend entry-level bucks and still get full-sized amenities and comfort will be happy with the Versa. The high equipment level and slightly larger size do reduce the Versa's ultimate fuel economy, but this car does a great job of making "frugal" a much less austere automotive fate. The Versa five-door hatchback goes on sale in July, and a sedan will follow in January 2007. Pricing is expected to start near $12,000.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Nissan Versa.
Length: 169.1 in.
Width: 66.7 in.
Height: 60.4 in.
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Cargo space: 17.8 cu.ft. (seats up)
Engine: 1.8 liter DOHC inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: continuously variable transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 122 @ 5200
Torque: 127 @ 4800
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Est. mileage: 30/36
Continue to article on OnWheelsInc.com