Comparison Test: 07 Altima vs. 07 Versa

[Ever Victorious]

Part 2 in the Ever Victorious series of tests, comparing new Nissan models, is the test of the 07 Altima vs. the 07 Versa.

The Altima tested was an '07 2.5S with Convenience package and XTronic CVT transmission.

First of all, it has to be said. The new Altima's lines are dead sexy. I can forget the days of the factory-installed Altezzas now, and look forward to a hot, chic body on Nissan's midsized car.

Plus, Nissan is boldly declaring their intention of technology with this car, making the iKey system (with pushbutton start) standard on all models. This is a great feature, no fumbling in the pocket for keys. However, I noticed a drawback on this particular system in the Altima: you MUST have the keyfob to start the car. Since it is a pushbutton start, there is no ignition lock, and therefore no place to put the key that is hidden in the keyfob. You have to give the valet your whole fob, and if the battery dies on the fob, you have to get your spare fob to start the car. This in my opinion could lead to someone being stranded at an inopportune time.

The Altima is very quiet and comfortable while being driven, and the CVT powers smoothly no matter how you throttle the engine. As a bonus, there is a Manumatic mode on this version, which turns the CVT into a freakisly responsive 6-speed semiautomatic transmission, with plenty of gusto and close gearing.

Fuel economy is rated far higher than last year, at 26/32. However, with some of the numbers we have seen from CVT Versa owners I would not hold my breath that these are accurate.

The interior of the Altima gives the Versa a run for its money, with the huge glove box, a large center console storage bin with 12V power outlet, and reconfigurable cup holders. The driver's seat is moderately supportive (no better or worse than the Versa), and the tilt/telescopic wheel easily can find a good position for any driver.

Sadly, this year's Altima is a step backward in rear seat leg room, with the Versa again easily beating its "competition" in this category, and even the last year's model having about an inch or so more room. Also, the door armrests of the new Altima have the exact OPPOSITE problem I found with the new Sentra. That is, while the new Sentra has its armrest slope away making it hard to reach the window controls, the Altima's slopes up... too harshly. I could not comfortably rest my arm on it, as my wrist was bent backwards. Also, there door grip is placed too far back to be usable. When my friend started his "spirited" driving, I was clamoring for a hand hold, and ended up using the assist grip on the ceiling (which I prefer not to do).

Trunk space is good, about the same as the new Sentra (which is freakishly large for its size class) but again still not as large as the standard cargo configuration of the Versa. What got my attention as unusual was the pull-straps hanging down into the trunk for the folding seat release. They looked tacky, and I've seen cheaper cars (read: Hyundais) that had better quality, hidden releases.

Now for performance... It was actually VERY peppy with the 2.5L and CVT, especially in Manumatic mode. It's not going to satisfy a Z enthusiast by any means, but it handled well, and was quick and eager to go through the "gears". I don't know if the test vehicle had a defect, but going over speed bumps was actually more jarring and less comfortable than in the Versa.

Here's the rundown, folks:

Versa is less expensiveVersa is more economicalAltima is still very economical for its size class (with the 2.5L)Altima is fasterAltima handles better, with more of a difference than on the Sentra drive.Altima has better creature featuresVersa is more comfortable in rear seating positionsVersa is more versatileAltima is sexier, but not by muchBoth cars tie for ergonomicsAltima is quieterAltima has standard iKeyAltima allows ABS with convenience packageAltima seems a better match for the CVT

Verdict: This is hard for me. I like the hatchback design of the Versa, especially with its versatility, and I love being able to carry my friends around in as much comfort as me, but the Altima has good cargo capacity and fuel economy, in a very sexy sedan (midsize sport sedans hold a special place in my heart). I think that were it not for my job, and the $7k extra to have the Altima equipped with the same stuff as my Versa, I would actually have selected the Altima. Versa wins. Barely.

[Cold_Zero]

Thanks for the review.

You probably get better handling out of the Atima than the Versa because of the suspension setup (Altima- front/rear independent suspension, Versa- front independent suspension, rear semi independent), the wheel/tire size (Altima 16"/215, Versa 16"/185) and the wheel base (Altima 110.2", Versa 102.4").

Although the Versa has more leg room in the back, the Altima has more leg room in the front. Which for my family is the difference, since my daughter is typically the only in the back seat in her car seat of either one of our cars.

The thing I like about the Altima is that is comes with front/rear disc brakes (Altima front disc brakes (297mm x 24mm) rear disc brakes (292mm x 9mm), Versa front disc brakes (280mm x 24mm), rear drum brakes). Which means on the S, SL trims you get the same brakes that are tasked to stop the V.6 SE models.

Altima also has more cruising range due to its bigger fuel tank. I know I know the Versa gets better gas mileage but you have to fill up less on a long distance trip (about a 100mi difference). Which with having a kid means less stops and getting there faster. And the Altima also gets a better crash test rating.

Btw, whats the curb weight on the Versa SL?bud

[terrormaschine]

i dont like how the versa's look so no matter what id choose the altima hands down. unless they have this versa!! then i would have reconcider my options. so do they only have the versa in 4door? and if not is this one going to come out?

[Ever Victorious]

i dont like how the versa's look so no matter what id choose the altima hands down. unless they have this versa!! then i would have reconcider my options. so do they only have the versa in 4door? and if not is this one going to come out?

To the best of my knowledge, that was just a prototype concept that won't be produced. However, if Nissan ever decided to make, say, and SE-R version of the Versa, I would imagine it would be a two door like that.

You probably get better handling out of the Atima than the Versa because of the suspension setup (Altima- front/rear independent suspension, Versa- front independent suspension, rear semi independent), the wheel/tire size (Altima 16"/215, Versa 16"/185) and the wheel base (Altima 110.2", Versa 102.4").

The wheelbase isn't actually as much of an issue as you would think, since the Versa's wheels are still positioned very close to its corners. The wheel and tire size is a gimme, but the Versa still gives the Altima a run for its money despite being so much less expensive. Some tweaking to a V will make it handle as good or better. And hopefully without the painful jostling I experienced with speed bumps and the Altima.

Quote »Although the Versa has more leg room in the back, the Altima has more leg room in the front. Which for my family is the difference, since my daughter is typically the only in the back seat in her car seat of either one of our cars. [/quote]I can understand this, but I also feel there is a point at which there is too much front leg room. I have to have the seat one notch forward from the rearmost position in my Versa, or I can't reach the pedals well. And I'm 6', mostly leg. My wife complains a little about KNEE room in the Versa (seat all the way back, she's also 6').. this is because the dash comes out so far compared to a "normal" car, to make a deep glove box.

And I FREQUENTLY carry 6' rear seat passengers, sometimes on 250+ mile road trips. So the V wins for me there.

Quote »The thing I like about the Altima is that is comes with front/rear disc brakes (Altima front disc brakes (297mm x 24mm) rear disc brakes (292mm x 9mm), Versa front disc brakes (280mm x 24mm), rear drum brakes). Which means on the S, SL trims you get the same brakes that are tasked to stop the V.6 SE models.[/quote]I can tell you that a V without ABS is scary to panic-stop. They fishtail. The brakes on the Altima were WAAAY better.

Quote »Altima also has more cruising range due to its bigger fuel tank. I know I know the Versa gets better gas mileage but you have to fill up less on a long distance trip (about a 100mi difference). Which with having a kid means less stops and getting there faster. And the Altima also gets a better crash test rating. [/quote]That's not to say that the V isn't safe. Remember, I got nailed in the back by a Ford F150 doing 25mph while I was stopped, and I was back at work the next day, and the Versa was able to drive itself to the body shop.

The theoretical cruise range of an Altima is better... BUT we have seen somewhat poor fuel mileage on the V with the CVT, so the PRACTICAL range of a 6-speed Versa may actually be longer than the PRACTICAL range of a CVT Altima. We shall have to wait and see.

Quote »Btw, whats the curb weight on the Versa SL?[/quote]About 2700 pounds.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Altima a lot. So far the first thing I've seen that I would have bought if my Versa were totalled and I couldn't find another. Still would be a hard pill for me to swallow. I'm trying to STAY out of debt (just got out of it), and my $16k Versa with bluetooth and satellite vs. a $23k Altima with the same... that's kind of hard for me.

[Cold_Zero]

Speaking of, I like the fact that the Versa's radio plays MP3's.

I dont mind the looks of the Versa.bud

[atlanta3.5]

"Plus, Nissan is boldly declaring their intention of technology with this car, making the iKey system (with pushbutton start) standard on all models. This is a great feature, no fumbling in the pocket for keys. However, I noticed a drawback on this particular system in the Altima: you MUST have the keyfob to start the car. Since it is a pushbutton start, there is no ignition lock, and therefore no place to put the key that is hidden in the keyfob. You have to give the valet your whole fob, and if the battery dies on the fob, you have to get your spare fob to start the car. This in my opinion could lead to someone being stranded at an inopportune time."

This is incorrect-you can never get "stranded" unless you start the car with the key, leave the key somwhere, drive off and shut the car down. If the battery simply dies, you plug in the Ikey into the slot on the lower dash.

This review has some good information-similar to comparing an Accord with the Fit