2009 Nissan Versa 1.6: Cheapest car in America?
Nissan has announced that their entry-level car will get a new entry-level trim level, the Versa 1.6 sedan, and that it will be the cheapest car in America for 2009 with a base price of $9,990 -- although I imagine it'll have the same $695 destination charge as other Nissans, so let's call it $10,685.
The cheap-car champ for 2008 is the Chevrolet Aveo5 Special Value at $10,895, but Chevy has already abdicated for 2009 -- the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 has received a major overhaul but is now priced at $12,120. Runner-up #2, the Hyundai Accent, is holding steady at $11,745.
So what is Nissan doing to cut the Versa's price by $3,000? For starters, the Versa 1.6 Sedan gets a 1.6 liter engine and 5-speed transmission in place of the 1.8/6-speed manual found in other Versas. Nissan says the Versa 1.6 will have "simplified content", but hasn't given any more details. My guess is that the current base-model Versa's standard air conditioning and AM/FM/CD player will get the boot.
The Versa is actually one of my favorite small cars -- it's made several of my Top Picks lists, including Best Cars for Moms, Best Cars for Teens, Small Cars You Can Live With, and Best Deals On Wheels. And, of course, it's on my list of the ten cheapest cars -- though it looks like it'll be climbing quite a bit higher than its current #6 spot. I'll reserve my judgment on the Versa 1.6 Sedan until we see just how much Versa you get for under $11k. But I still think this is pretty cool news -- I figured the cheapest car in America would always be a Korean car (or, in the case of the Aveo, an American-branded Korean car), at least until the Chinese get here, if they ever do. But a Nissan? Who woulda thunkit? -- Aaron Gold
Related:
- 2007 Nissan Versa S Sedan test drive and review
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 test drive and review
- 2008 Hyundai Accent SE test drive and review
- Ten cheapest cars of 2008
Photo © Nissan
My ‘99 Mazda Protege has a 1.6 engine and it’s plenty zippy in all circumstances. I hope that this newer version of the Versa has the option of the CVT and can get at least 30 mph in the city. We’ll see!
Carol: The Versa 1.6S will offer a 4-speed automatic, but alas no CVT. EPA fuel economy estimates are 26 MPG city/34 highway with the 5-speed manual and 26/33 with the 4-speed automatic. (For comparison, the 1.8 with CVT gets 27/33.) — Aaron
OK so here is me being nice about the box..
Will this be a 4 wheels and a body car with hand crank windows or will it still have a few creature comforts.?
What about the warranty will Nissan cut it back a little for the most less expensive car in America??? I didn’t want to say cheapest car.
I noticed the $695 destination chg. and got me to thinking, now that gas is right at $2.00 +- $1.95 in Texas I was told today.
will the auto manufacturers cut back on this charge because they have ran it sky high over the past 18 months, or will they leave it that high for now? what is your thoughts on this one??
I decided to get a Ford Expedition instead. Good deals available and cheap gas now. Also, I’m a ferret breeder and I need something more appropriate for my business.
It’s not my cup of tea but there is a bottom end of the market and someone might as well fill the need.
It’s a shame the short term greed of US Ford, GM and Chrysler caused them to stop even trying to supply this market. They are paying the price now… big time.
It’s simpler than the higher end models, chances are it will be more reliable and cheaper to maintain too. Parts that aren’t on a vehicle don’t fail.
Cheapest car in Canada is the Hyundai Accent at $9995. At the value versus the US dollar right now, that’s about $8500US… but I think most people would raher take the Nissan for a little more.
I bought a 2006 Aveo 5-speed when it was 1 year old for $8500. It’s a been a solid, reliable car that gets 40mpg highway (30mpg in town). It’s a much better car than the last Civic I owned (86 wagon) which was similar in size and economy. Now, if Chrysler could just design and build a car like the Aveo and keep the price competitive (and quality on par)…