Subcompact Shoot-Out:Nissan Versa: 4th Place

[steed77]

Interesting read...

After tallying all the numbers, we were surprised to see Nissan’s Versa so close to the bottom in our comparison. The car’s result is particularly shocking when you consider how large, roomy and comfortable it is.Our tester had the entry-level 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, with all the benefits and drawbacks that entails. On the plus side, there’s the price. Rated a perfect 10 by our group of reviewers, the Versa can be had for just $11,990 (including A/C and an automatic transmission). That price bests even the Accent by $2,000. Nissan created the Versa 1.6 specifically for the purpose of marketing and attracting bargain hunters. Unfortunately, 1.6 models aren’t available with much of anything as power options only come on the more expensive 1.8-liter model. There’s no available cruise control and the base Versa 1.6 doesn’t even come with a stereo system – that’s a dealer installed option.

As for items like navigation, a sunroof, aluminum wheels or steering wheel-mounted audio controls – forget it.

About the only thing you can add-on to the base Versa is ABS brakes. And even then, the result is below average with the car taking 133 feet to stop from 60 mph. Other safety features are quite good, however, with six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system.

In terms of acceleration, the 1.6-liter Versa hits 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, tying the Yaris in the middle of the pack. We did expect better fuel-economy from the econo-box 1.6 model, but it gets 26/34 mpg – one of the lowest in our comparison.

The drive isn’t overly exciting and there’s plenty of body roll in the chassis.

As you might expect with such a soft suspension setup the ride is comfortable. As are the seats. If we had to drive long highways distances and that’s it, this might just be our pick. The seats even get a nice microfiber upholstery and will make you feel like you’re at home on your couch. And as for rear seat room, it was easily the most spacious of the group.

What may have done the Versa in, however, is its design. Generally agreed upon to be the least attractive of the five, it’s tall and narrow body just looks out of proportion and downright dorky. Inside, the cabin isn’t much better, with a monotone cockpit where you can barely tell the radio control buttons apart from the dash surface. And faded orange dash lighting makes it look like the car is already several years old.

Overall, we didn’t feel as negative about the Versa as our numbers suggest. We even debated collectively adding one point to move it into a tie for third place. That point could have come from the transmission category. We decided to leave the rating on the CVT transmission at the average level, however. While we do like the smoothness of Nissan’s CVT, it does remove some of the fun out of driving.

http://www.autoguide.com/manuf....html

[VersaMG08]

The Versa is in due for a total remodel in 2012. That will make them think twice about that review. I thought it was blown way out of proportion.

[Bubs daddy]

Thanks for posting that.

Four door sedans both sub compact and compact look so much alike these days. To me, it's hard to tell one car from the next.

The Versa hatchback has been a great car for us. Almost three years old soon and reliable, roomy, quiet, high quality and economic. Of course it's the 1.8 SL so there's a lot to like with many creature comforts.

I don't care much for 4 door sedans these days. They all seem like little jellybean cars. Bland, vapid all looking the same.

Maybe if Nissan made a 1.6 hatch it would have scored higher although the reviewers cited the lack of many options not offered for the Nissan and available on other cars as a source of disappointment.

[GapRunr]

Interesting read...

After tallying all the numbers, we were surprised to see Nissan’s Versa so close to the bottom in our comparison. The car’s result is particularly shocking when you consider how large, roomy and comfortable it is.

I'm not surprised by these results. They took a base Versa sedan 1.6 and compared it with a Honda Fit Sport priced $5,280 more. I would expect the Fit to perform slightly better for the extra $5K. And another big surprise.... the Honda got more points for a better materials in the interior, more standard features, and higher fuel economy. I guess that's what you can do with an extra $5K.

The whole comparison is a moot point though, since the Versa isn't a sub-compact. The EPA classifies the Versa as a mid-size, based on the interior room. Looking at other cars in the EPA mid-size class, the Versa would do much better since it has so much room and comfort for so little money, and better than average fuel economy in its class. Have you ever looked up the EPA Mid-Size class to see what cars are in that category? Here are a few of them.... Chevy Malibu, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Ford Fusion, VW Passat, Lexus LS600H, Lexus ES350, Nissan Maxima, BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and S8, Mercedes E350, Volvo S80 and even the Rolls Royce Phantom. The only cars in that category that beat the Versa in mileage are the Prius Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid.

The article is a joke. I've been in a Chevy Aveo... I've ridden a Snapper lawn mower that felt tighter. The Yaris sedan is a great car. The Fit is decent, but costs $5,000 more than a Versa 1.8 which is larger inside, has better performance, a nicer ride, better handling, and is quieter.

I bet their next article will be a comparison between a Ford Ranger and a Toyota Tundra Crewmax, and they will criticize the Ranger on its lower towing ability and smaller interior. That's quality in journalism right there folks...

[Shad0wXCalibur]

That article sucks. A Versa can hardly even be compared to other subcompacts since it has more interior room than a freakin Sentra and weighs 2,700 pounds (my SL anyways). But what got me is how badly they talk about the design. I never thought a Fit or Yaris looked any better than a Versa. The Yaris hatch is about the "dorkiest" looking car there is.

[GapRunr]

That article sucks. A Versa can hardly even be compared to other subcompacts since it has more interior room than a freakin Sentra and weighs 2,700 pounds (my SL anyways). But what got me is how badly they talk about the design. I never thought a Fit or Yaris looked any better than a Versa. The Yaris hatch is about the "dorkiest" looking car there is.

Agreed, but in this comparison they had a Yaris 4 door sedan, and it really is a pretty good looking sedan.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Agreed, but in this comparison they had a Yaris 4 door sedan, and it really is a pretty good looking sedan.

The Yaris sedan does look good. I'll agree with that. Maybe it's just an illusion but it looks like it even has more interior room than the hatch. I saw a modified Yaris sedan somewhere on the net and it was one of the cleanest looking cars I have ever seen. Sure, it's just a Yaris but it looked damn good and was very well put together.

[nova09versa]

i'm happy w/the hatchback 1.8S that my wife got. Good gas mileage, roomy, no blind spots, and easy to park.