Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2012 Nissan Versa Sedan

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...photo-4748937/

The compact car market is white-hot. The new Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra have lifted the segment to new levels of refinement while at the same time improving fuel economy to 40 miles per gallon on the highway and beyond. Instead of turning their attention back to trucks and SUVs, manufacturers are going even smaller. Automakers have begun pouring vast resources into the smaller subcompact segment, and the result has been a wealth of all-new models. The Chevrolet Sonic, Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta are all-new or updated and vastly superior to prior subcompacts that still linger in our memories like an unpleasant aftertaste.

Nissan has put its subcompact under the knife, too, as the 2012 Versa features all-new sheetmetal, revised powertrains and a fresh interior. The previous Versa was known for being larger and less expensive than its competition, and its sales reflected that – it's been the most popular model in its segment. But we've been curious to learn if this latest redesign may help or hurt the Versa's standing, so we borrowed the keys to a top trim 2012 Nissan Versa SL Sedan for a week to find out.
The Versa may have brand-new sheetmetal, but that doesn't mean Nissan had any intention of deviating from its tried and true B-segment formula. Starting at just $10,990, the Versa continues to boast the lowest starting MSRP in the segment, undercutting the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent by $1,300 or more. Our Blue Onyx SL tester wasn't close to $11,000, but it was still a relative bargain at $15,560 (plus $780 for delivery).


The SL is nearly $5,000 more expensive than the base Versa, and all that extra money buys you many of the features new car buyers have grown to expect. We're talking standard features like keyless entry, upgraded cloth seats and a four-speaker sound system. Among the (once) high-end features that come with SL trim are Bluetooth hands-free phone integration, an iPod interface, upgraded audio system and easy-to-operate steering wheel-mounted controls. The SL also includes a continuously variable transmission in place of the standard five-speed manual, cruise control and power windows and locks. Safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability control and a full complement of front, side and side curtain airbags.

With a $15,560 price tag, we didn't expect much in the way of accoutrements, but it doesn't cost much extra to bend metal. The exterior of the Versa sedan is all-new for 2012, with more curves just about everywhere. The SL trim level adds chrome accents on the grille and door handles for a touch of class to go along with seven-spoke 15-inch aluminum wheels.


Overall, we think the Versa looks awkward thanks to its tall roofline and narrow width, but those dimensions are the reason the cabin feels so spacious. When you step inside the cabin of the Versa, there's an overwhelming sense of roominess. The biggest surprise is rear seat legroom, which is ridiculously accommodating for such a small car at 37 inches. The Fiesta can only manage 31 cubic inches, or a half foot less than the Versa. Even the full-size Honda Accord can only manage another two-tenths of an inch more rear leg room than the Versa. Click on the Autoblog Short Cut below for more on the Versa's leg-stretching rear seats.

While we're big on the roomy accommodations of the Versa, the rest of the story inside is less appealing. This sedan features one of the cheaper-feeling interiors in the segment, even in top-shelf SL trim. The plastics are sub-par, the dash design is snooze-inducing and touchpoints like the steering wheel and shift **** are feel cheap. The driver's seat is fairly comfortable, but the lack of a center armrest means that fatigue can set in that much more quickly on moderate-to-longer trips.

So the interior of the Versa is less than ideal, but the B-segment isn't known for its top-quality animal hides and state-of-the-art infotainment tech. The same can be said of the power under the hood, as the Versa is motivated by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine packing a middling 109 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 RPM. That isn't a lot of power, even in this class. The Fiesta offers 120 horsepower from its 1.6-liter engine, while the Honda Fit promises 117 horsepower from its 1.5-liter. Luckily, at 2,424 pounds, the SL sedan is a bit lighter than either the Fiesta or the Fit. Nissan does offer a 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter mill, but only under the hood of the Versa Hatchback, which remains largely the same despite the Nissan's overhaul of this sedan variant.

Our tester featured Nissan's Xtronic gearbox, which to its credit is among the least annoying CVT transmissions on the market at any price. Nissan has made a sustained commitment to developing its CVT and it shows through the hardware's smooth operation that doesn't drone endlessly like many other transmissions of this type. It's still not our favorite type of transmission, but that's the sort of tradeoff one makes in the name of fuel efficiency.


When we applied that power to the road, we were rewarded with the kind of acceleration that requires patience to appreciate. AOL Autos says a jaunt to 60 takes 9.2 seconds, but it feels more like 10 or 11 – if not more. Acceleration is even more of a challenge on the freeway, where passing should only be tried if the guy in front of you is wearing a Rex Harrison hat and driving an Oldsmobile 98 with a busted right blinker. The upshot to the Versa's pokey ways is that it's a genuine fuel-sipper. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the Versa can manage 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. We were happy with the 33.8 mpg we averaged during our time with the Versa – nearly five mpg better than what we achieved in our recent week-long stint with the much smaller Mazda2.

The subcompact segment has historically been low on power but high on efficiency, and the Versa certainly checks those boxes. But offerings in this segment like the Sonic, Mazda2 and Honda Fit have also begun offering impressive driving dynamics that keep the driver engaged in spite of the power deficit. Unfortunately, that's not the modus operandi of the Versa Sedan. Up front, the Versa comes with an independent strut suspension with stabilizer bar, and out back is a torsion beam axle with integrated rear stabilizer bar. The torsion bar rear suspension doesn't lend itself to agility, but it does provide a cushy ride for highway cruising. When cornering at speed, the Versa feels top-heavy and lists noticeably, and the Continental P 185/65/R15 tires audibly beg for mercy.


Nissan has added speed-sensitive electric power steering to the Versa to help conserve fuel. Electronic tillers seem to be a hit or miss affair, and the Versa takes a big whiff at feel and accuracy, though there is at least a bit of weight baked-in. Nissan also only offers disc brakes up front and drums out back, and while discs at all four corners are preferred, the Versa's disc/drum combo provided plenty of bite to stop this 2,459-pound sedan without any fuss.

The Versa is the lowest-priced sub-compact sedan in the sub-compact segment, which is great news for shoppers searching only for inexpensive transportation. After all, a lot of buyers look at vehicles as appliances to get them from Point A to Point B, and we're sure many will be satisfied with high fuel economy numbers, a comfortable ride and spacious cabin.

But a week spent with the 2012 Nissan Versa SL left us turned off by its disconnected driving dynamics, lack of power and one of the least impressive cabins on sale today. To top it off, it's not much to look at, either. There are a growing number of vehicles on the market that can deliver great fuel economy and a low MSRP, and a few of them manage to even look interesting and feel sporty. The Versa just isn't one of them, but it's still the cheapest... if not the roomiest.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/2...-sedan-review/

mmarshall

There's a reason why base-model Versas start below 11K in an age when even the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent now start a few thousand above that. Not just this article here, but virtually every recent Versa review I've seen in the auto-press comments on its its cheapness, tinniness, and poor road-manners (notwithstanding the relatively roomy rear-seat by subcompact-standards). But, overall, it's one of the few (and I do mean few) strong arguements today, IMO, for taking your money and buying a good used-car instead.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I really feel Nissan messed this one up. The big players had already shown their cards i.e. Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Mazda2. This was a golden opportunity to benchmark some of these segment busters. The Fit is refined and well rounded, the Fiesta showed that even a cheap car can have nice materials and polarizing design. So many oversights just to keep its lowest $$$ crown. For what its worth it does have great interior volume lol.

Nissan is confusing and a mixed bag. On one hand you have some great products like the Murano, Maxima, 370z. A great new design language in the upcoming Pathfinder, yet they produce this?! I gotta say if Nissan messes up the next Sentra, things will not be looking good. The Sentra is going up against the likes of the Corolla, Civic, Forte, Focus, Cruze, Jetta, Mazda3, Elantra, upcoming Dart. The Sentra is going to have to come out guns blazing if it wants to compete. The current Sentra hasn't been in a comparison test since it last redesign in 07' (naturally I embellish a little hah). Come on Nissan your better than this!


Similar to how VW markets the new Jetta just below 15K or 16K iirc. With that ancient 2.0L 115hp I4 and spartan interior

speedflex

Apparently you get what you pay for and not much more with this Versa. The only strategy I can think of here is that Nissan wanted to capture entry level customers with room and value but the competition is just too attractive for this to be enough. I hear that this sedan is selling decently in spite of itself. I don't think the Versa hatch will be like this car at all. There were photos of a next generation Tiida which showed a pretty sharp looking car. Chances are that will be the next Versa Hatch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qe4lJP70vc

Blackraven

There is a reason why this vehicle is priced below 10k (regardless of American dollars, British Pounds or Euro).

It is simply basic personalized four wheel transportation that works if all you need is to get from point A to point B without any trouble.

Fizzboy7

On styling alone, it appears Nissan went out of their way to make it look frumpy. Droopy rear with melting taillights, cartoon-sized wheels, and bloated greenhouse.

speedflex

Nope. It ain't pretty.

mmarshall

So...are you saying that many of us Americans are just spoiled? OK, maybe. If you compare the Versa to some Third-World cars, like the Nano from India (or even the Smart-for-Two sold here), I'd probably agree with you. But, today, most Americans expect even subcompacts to be reasonably comfortable and solidly-built....not with interior plastics so thin that you can buckle them with your finger.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I have clients who bought the Versa because of the price, but no one seems like it and all regreted with their choice.

mmarshall

I know one person who likes his 5-door hatchback model, but that is only because of the low price and the basic, space-efficient layout inside......arguably the car's two best features.

And upmarket versions of the Venza cost pretty much what many of their competitors do...you really only save money on the El Cheapo basic model.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Is the base model comes with AC now?

mmarshall

Yes, it's standard on all American-market Versas. It's almost impossible to sell any new car these days without A/C, even without hot summers (A/C helps out with defogging as well). But the base, El Cheapo 1.6S model still comes with manual wind-up windows, manual door locks, and adjust-it-yourself manual dual outside mirrors. The good side to that, of course, is the simplicity and lack of electric-motors/linkage to fail.

ecr527

I drove the last generation model a few months ago and I didn't think the car was all that bad. It was definitely no luxury car by any stretch of the imagination, but if you just need basic transportation to get you from point A to B, it does the job. I drove around with 3 passengers and a trunk full of luggage. It definitely has a surprisingly amount of head and leg room. Power was acceptable. I was actually (dare I say) impressed with the amount of power the puny little engine had.

spwolf

price sells...

lamar411

A friend is going to get one of these, base 5 speed. His 14 year old corolla finally gave out.