2007 Versa SL Review

[AZhitman]

Far from being yet another Japanese tall-boy, Nissan's entry in the price-and-efficiency stakes couldn't feel more French if it were made by Renault.

Perhaps that's to be expected, given that the Versa hatchback is the mirror image of Renault's Mégane and an eye-widening example of the efficiencies gained when international conglomerates mingle.

In fact, this car is as international as Renault/Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, born in Brazil of Lebanese parents, schooled in France and groomed in America, becoming a master cost-cutter and efficiency-seeker who brought prosperity to Renault and turned around a near-bankrupt Nissan.

The Versa hatch resembles no other Nissan, though it has replaced long-time models Pulsar and Sunny, and is a major player for the company internationally, marketed in Australia, China and Japan as the Tiida and in Latin America as the Latio. A sedan version is expected to arrive midwinter.

Versas sold in North America are manufactured at Aguescalientes, Mexico. The factory could be anywhere in the world. Windows in our Eco Driver test car are from the international glass supplier, Saint-Gobain; French warning stickers are in evidence under the hood; Mexican parts abound, Japanese bits almost seem exceptional.

Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the pace setters in the economy-driving stakes, are stereotypically Japanese by comparison. They're made in Japan, exude a Japanese sense of style and drive like tiny urban missiles. A Versa feels substantially larger, cruises at highway speeds in a more relaxed fashion and in fact could serve well as a small family's only car.

It's not that Versa is all that much roomier than Yaris or Fit, although one clear advantage is its generous rear legroom. Rather, the interior feels larger benefiting from the generous seats and additional width. That said, in terms of swallowing cargo, Versa isn't as versatile as the shorter Fit with its higher roofline and the ingeniously folding rear seat.

Base price is $14,498, right in the middle, as Yaris starts at $13,800 and Fit $14,980. Of course, most sell for more. Drivers concerned with saving gasoline are as partial to air-conditioning, remote locks and power windows as those who dedicate oil wells to their statuesque SUV's and so the 1.8 SL is likely to be the more popular version at $17,098.

With options, freight and predelivery charges, but not tax, ours totals $20,673. For the continuously variable automatic transmission that plays a large role in Versa's appeal, $1,300. For Bluetooth hands-free telephone, 280-watt Rockford-Fosgate stereo and audio controls on the steering wheel, $1,000. For metallic paint, $125.

A Fit Sport automatic reviewed in September totalled $20,780. In June, a Yaris with an automatic but no other extras was $15,910 and a fancier RS five-speed went for $18,370. Certainly Yaris can top $20,000 as well.

Each offers something quite different for substantially the same investment — Fit is sportiest, most commodious for cargo; Yaris, most fuel-efficient.

Versa, arguably, is most capable, most comfortable, if not a rival in fuel efficiency. We averaged 10.1 litres/100 km in our usual Eco Driver test of some 300 km of city-area driving and, while that's not bad for a compact, it's not the stuff of a subcompact.

EnerGuide rates Versa at 7.9 city/6.1 highway, compared with Yaris in comparable automatic form at 7.1/5.8, but reality works against Versa actually matching its theoretical rating.

Versa outweighs Yaris by 197 kg and Fit by 133 kg. As well, its engine is larger at 1.8 litres and more powerful at 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque — and more weight and more power always add up to more litres consumed.

The gearless transmission — it's a CVT, like increasing numbers of automatics — does help conserve fuel by managing low engine speeds. Near silence from the engine compartment is its greater achievement, for the Versa is an unbelievably quiet car at steady cruising speeds.

Versa has been deservedly criticized concerning noise during foot-to-the-floor acceleration with this CVT — a light foot on the throttle preserves calm. Or, consider a five-speed manual or regular automatic.

The suspension is clearly more Japanese than French in origin. That is, cousin Mégane surely rides softer and leans more hurtling around corners. Nissan's approach with front struts and a rear torsion axle delivers acceptable comfort over Toronto's craters and secure handling. Anti-lock brakes are standard with the SL.

Whether any particular car feels right is highly individual. My co-driver declared she couldn't live with the Versa, for instance, because, even with the dash vents turned away, air still breezed into her face and she can't stand that.

Whereas, Versa seemed a perfect fit to this driver, to the point I found myself cruising along with my hands resting on the cross spokes of the steering wheel rather than properly gripping the rim, prompting memories of racer/writer Paul Frère once saying you could read a volume of Proust while crossing France in a Citroën 2CV with the book propped on the spokes of the steering wheel.

Some cars are just so relaxing. For many drivers, Versa is one of them. No offence to the co-driver intended.

ECO DRIVER

Nissan's entry in the price-and-efficiency stakes couldn't feel more French if it were made by Renault

SPECS

TYPE: Four-door hatchback

BASE PRICE: $17,098 (as tested, $20,673)

ENGINE: 1.8-litre, inline four, DOHC

TRANSMISSION: CVT

DRIVE: Front drive

HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 122 hp/127 lb-ft

FUEL ECONOMY (litres per 100) km: EnerGuide rating, 7.9 city/6.1 highway; actual urban driving, 10.1

ALTERNATIVES: Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris

LIKE

Out-of-the-box design Silent cruising Comfort Quality of materials

DON'T LIKE

Noisy acceleration No match for Yaris in fuel efficiency Nissan still needs a smaller car