What I liked about the Nissan Versa 1.6:
- Loads of passenger and cargo space
- Good to drive
- Great price for a high-quality car
What I didn't like:
- Manual mirrors and door locks make life difficult
- No remote trunk release
- Instrument lights turn on with ignition, not headlights
Who should buy the Nissan Versa 1.6:
Buyers looking for a new car with a minimum outlay of cash
Who should not buy the Nissan Versa 1.6:
Those who can deal with buying used -- you'll get more for your money
Details and specs:
- Body style: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback (1.8 only)
- Seating capacity: 5
- Trim levels: 1.6 Base, 1.6, 1.8 S, 1.8 SL
- Price range (including options): $10,710 - $20,065
- Test vehicle/price as tested: 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6, $12,115
- Base engine: 1.6 liter inline four-cylinder, 107 hp @ 6000 RPM, 111 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM
- Optional engine: 1.8 liter inline four-cylinder, 122 hp @ 5200 RPM, 127 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM
- Premium fuel required? No
- Transmission: 5-speed manual (1.6), 6-speed manual (1.8), 4-speed automatic, continuously-variable automatic (CVT) (opt. on 1.8 SL hatch)
- Driveline: Front engine, front-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy estimates: 26 MPG city/34 MPG highway (1.6 manual), 26/33 (1.6 automatic), 26/31 (1.8 manual), 24/32 (1.8 automatic), 27/33 (1.8 CVT)
- Powertrain tested/observed fuel economy: 1.6 manual, 34.6 MPG
- Where built: Mexico
- Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, front-seat-mounted side (torso) airbags, two-row side curtain airbags
- Optional safety equipment: Antilock brakes
- Major standard features: None!
- Major options: Power windows, mirrors and locks, air conditioning, CD stereo, 6-disc CD changer, keyless entry and ignition, sunroof, alloy wheels, cruise control, fold-down rear seat
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, 5 years/unlimited mileage outer body rust-through
- Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 3 years/36,000 miles roadside assistance
Best rivals:
The vehicle for this test drive was provided by Nissan.
