When Nissan introduced the all-new 2007 Versa in hatchback form, we at About.com Cars immediately fell in love -- in fact, I named the car to our list of the Best New Cars of 2007. That assessment was based on the uplevel Nissan Versa SL hatchback. The test drive you are about to read is based on the entry-level Nissan Versa S in 4-door sedan form, with a base price of $13,165 and an as-tested price of $14,665. Does the Nissan Versa lose its luster once you start taking away options? Read on.
First Glance: More than just basic transportation
Larger photos: Left-front - right-front - left-rear - right-rearAs I sat down inside the Nissan Versa sedan for the first time, my initial thought was, This is going to be a really boring week. Nissan had supplied me with an el-strippo base-model Versa S with a dull-black interior. It had one option package (power windows and locks), antilock brakes and an automatic transmission. Dictionary definition of "basic transportation," I thought to myself. Dullsville, here we come.
And yet, the Versa turned out to be one of the many surprises with which I find myself continuously bombarded in this job. The Versa wasn't just pleasant -- I actually liked driving it. In fact, found myself coming up with excuses to go out and put miles on it.
The Versa sedan is a follow-on to the Versa hatchback. As a rule I tend to prefer hatchbacks over sedans. But in the case of the Versa I'd be hard-pressed to pick between the two, because the Versa sedan doesn't give up much in the way of practicality to the Versa hatchback. Though my S-model tester lacked a split-fold rear seatback -- a major omission -- the trunk (link goes to photo) was surprisingly tall and long, and even my wife Robin's bulky massage table, which won't fit into many larger cars' trunks, was able to squeeze into the Versa sedan's cargo bay. Very impressive. One problem with the Versa hatchback is that the tailgate narrows at the bottom, making it tough to pack awkward, bulky items like baby strollers. The Versa sedan's trunk lid has less taper, so it's actually easier to load such items.
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In the Driver's Seat: Nice 'n' easy, that's my style
I'm generally not a big fan of dark interiors, but the Versa's dash was made of thick quality-feeling plastics with a little metal-look trim thrown in for good measure. Like many cars in this class, the Versa's interior is simple and straightforward, with lights and wipers on the column stalks and three-dial air conditioning controls (A/C is standard, by the way). About the only thing I disliked were the dashboard lights: They go on and off with the ignition, rather than the headlight switch. That makes it easy to forget to turn the lights on at night, and easier still to leave them on when the car is shut off -- something I did nearly every time I drove the Versa after dark. Good thing there's a beeper to remind you when you've left the lights on.
Interior room is what sets the Versa apart from other subcompacts -- in fact it's got so much interior space that the EPA classifies it not as a subcompact, not even as a compact, but as a mid-size. The front seats offer headroom galore and a wide open feeling missing from most smaller cars. And my kids loved the back seat; it has plenty of stetch-out room and side windows that roll all the way down.
Be warned, neat freaks: The Versa S is a pain to keep clean. The sears are covered by a suede-like material that is a magnet for dirt. We have a dog that sheds. She never set a paw in the car, yet after a week it looked like she slept there -- the seats worked like a giant lint brush, pulling all the dog hair off my clothes. Great for my wardrobe, not so great for the car.
On the Road: Much better than expected
The Versa is powered by a 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine; competitors like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit use 1.5 liter engines that are generally less powerful but a bit more fuel efficient. All Versas come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. As I mentioned earlier, my test car had an automatic -- but not the continuously variable automatic (CVT -- read more about it here), available in the Versa SL, of which I am so fond (CVTs yield better acceleration and fuel economy than regular automatics). The Versa S gets an old-fashioned 4-speed automatic, which worked a heck of a lot better than I expected it to. The shifts were smooth and the transmission kicked down promptly whenever I needed more power. That's all I can ask.The Versa drives like a much bigger car, though its tall shape and light weight make it more susceptible to cross-winds. On the open road the Versa is quiet and comfortable. I was so impressed by the Versa's stability that I took it for a drive on the About.com Cars Top Secret Twisty Test Road, a challenge that isn't even remotely fair to an entry-level econobox with an automatic transmission. Yet the Versa did surprisingly well. Despite the cacophony of squealing tires -- which were designed for maximum MPG, not maximum thrills -- I found it easy to hustle the Versa through the curves. It's no sports car, but its sharp, responsive handling will come in handy should the driver have to swerve to avoid an accident.
Journey's End: Compares well against much more expensive cars
Despites some outstanding competitors -- most notably the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris -- the Versa easily earned a four-and-a-half-star rating thanks to its big-car interior, quiet and comfortable ride, and sharp emergency handling. But the truth is that were it compared to bigger cars such as the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, the Versa sedan would still earn three stars ("About average in its class") -- not bad, considering that all of these cars are bigger, more expensive and better equipped.
So which is better, the hatchback or sedan? Both start at the same price, so it's all a matter of personal preference. I think the hatchback looks better, but the wide trunk opening makes the sedan easier to load. I'd skip the S and go for the SL model, which has more equipment and the wonderful CVT automatic.
The Versa's biggest problem may be its geeky looks; showroom appeal counts for a lot. That's unfortunate, because once you've driven the Versa, you'll understand what a truly brilliant car it is. As I found out first-hand, judging the Versa on first impressions is a big mistake. -- Aaron Gold
Next page: Pros, cons, who should buy it, specs, best rivals
