The Bottom Line
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It's been almost two years since I tested a Nissan Versa, and I've forgotten what a great little car it is. Though it’s a bit nerdy looking on the outside, the Versa's spacious cabin, roomy trunk, and reasonable price make it an excellent choice for families on a budget. I subjected the Nissan Versa to a week of completely unfair testing, and it passed with flying colors. Why do I love the Versa? Read on.
Larger photos: Front - rear - interior - all photos
Pros
- Lots of interior space
- Great value for money
- Surprisingly good to drive
Cons
- Oddball styling
- Susceptible to crosswinds
Description
- Nissan's entry-level car, available as a sedan or a hatchback
- Price range (including options): $10,740 -$19,840
- Powertrain: 1.6 liter/107 hp, 1.8 liter/122 hp, 6-speed manual, 4-speed auto or CVT; front-wheel-drive
- EPA fuel economy: 26 MPG city/34 hwy (1.6 manual), 25/33 (1.6 auto), 26/31 (1.8 manual), 24/32 (1.8 auto), 28/34 (1.8 CVT)
- Best rivals: Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Mazda2
Guide Review - 2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL test drive
Most people think of small, inexpensive cars like the Nissan Versa as around-town grocery-getters; few would want to take one on a thousand-mile road trip. But that didn't stop me from packing my family into the Versa and heading across the desert to Phoenix, Arizona. And you know what? The Versa did just fine.
No question, the Versa's best attribute is its roomy interior. The 13.8 cubic foot trunk (link goes to photo) held a week's worth of luggage with plenty of room to spare, and both kids -- especially 14-year-old Robert, who is 6 feet tall and growing like a corn stalk -- were satisfied with the Versa's back seat legroom and headroom. The Versa's narrow width meant my wife and I had to pile our snacks between the front seats, atop the parking brake handle. The kids were glad for once that we weren't bringing the dog with us -- the back seat just isn't big enough for two kids and a 55-lb Boxer. But for a family of four, the Versa offers almost as much usable space as a mid-size sedan.
My test car was powered by a 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine, and it had no problem cruising at 5 above the legal limit -- in Arizona, the legal limit is 75 MPH -- although I was foot-to-the-floor up some of the steepest hills. Nissan offers the Versa with a 6-speed stick or a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT); the latter delivers the best performance and fuel economy But for some unimaginable reason, it's only available in the hatchback -- Versa sedans like the one I drove are stuck with an old-fashioned four-speed automatic. Fuel economy for the trip was 29.7 MPG -- disappointing, considering that we last made the trip in a Toyota Venza and averaged almost 26.
Still, the Versa's ride was comfortable and the noise levels surprisingly subdued, even with the engine running full tilt. The big windows provide great visibility all around, although the tall roofline acts like a sail in crosswinds, which made cruising through the Arizona desert a bit more eventful than I would have liked.
The Versa having passed one totally unfair test, I decided to subject it to another: A hard run on the About.com Top Secret Curvy Test Road. Once again, the Versa acquitted itself brilliantly, with sharp, responsive steering, good grip, and excellent body control. The Versa is no 370Z, but it's apparently read the same training manual.
Pricing starts at $10,740 for the Versa 1.6, making it the second-cheapest car sold in the US. Though the base model is pretty well stripped down (smaller engine and no stereo or air conditioning, though the latter is available as an option), the addition of standard power windows and locks for 2011 makes the 1.6 a lot easier to live with. My top-of-the-line Versa SL was lavishly equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), keyless ignition, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, even a touch-screen navigation system, all for $18,590. That may seem a lot to pay for an entry-level car, but when you consider all the space and equipment, I think it's a reasonable deal. To me, the best value is the Versa 1.8 S, which can be had with an automatic transmission, ESC and cruise control for well under $17,000.
My verdict: Even though the Versa hasn't changed much since 2007, it's still one of the best subcompacts on the market. The pricier Honda Fit offers more versatility and flexibility, especially if you haul both passengers and cargo, while the Ford Fiesta is more fuel-efficient and more fun to drive. But if you've got a family of four to haul around -- and not much money for a new car -- the Nissan Versa is the one to buy. -- Aaron Gold
