The Nissan Versa: A Refreshed but Still Challenging Subcompact Car
The Nissan Versa has always been a popular and inexpensive subcompact car, but with its latest version, Nissan had some new goals - to improve fuel economy while keeping the price low and retaining lots of room. What's remarkable about this model is that it lost a whopping 250 lb compared to the previous generation sedan, an exception to the rule where most cars tend to gain weight over the years.
To achieve these improvements, Nissan made several changes to enhance fuel economy. One notable addition was the introduction of a 1.6 L 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). These changes have paid off in terms of improved fuel economy, making it competitive with its class. However, acceleration is not as impressive as some of its competitors, thanks to the CVT holding engine revs high when accelerating, which creates a lot of noise - engine noise being one of the low points in this car.
Despite these limitations, the Versa rides relatively well for its class, and handling is another area where it performs reasonably. However, the steering feels clumsy, with little feedback and body roll building up as you gain speed in corners. This gives the impression that the car is not very nimble or responsive to driver input. However, emergency handling is secure thanks to standard electronic stability control.
Inside the Versa, the controls are mostly straightforward and simple, although there's a desire for a tuning knob on the radio. The cheap-feeling climate control knobs have hard-to-read markings, which detracts from an otherwise functional dashboard. The interior feels quite Spartan, with everything being hard and lacking in luxury feel. The headliner is like fuzzy cardboard, and the carpets are akin to trunk liner - it's a noticeable difference from its predecessor.
One of the Versa's strongest points is indeed its rear seat space, which provides ample room for two adults. This is comparable to some family sedans in terms of comfort and legroom. However, the narrow cabin means that three adults would find it snug, with limited elbow room. The car starts at around $11,200 but most versions come equipped like our SV test car, which costs just under $15,500.
Despite its refreshing redesign, the Nissan Versa still faces some challenges in a rapidly shifting market. Competitors like the Hyundai Accent, Ford Focus, and Chevrolet Sonic cost more but are perceived as being better to drive than this latest model. While it may not have met all of its goals, the Versa remains a viable option for those seeking an affordable subcompact car with decent fuel economy.
A word of advice is that if you're looking for a better driving experience without sacrificing too much in terms of price, consider opting for the older but better-designed Versa hatchback instead. The updated model's cheapness is still noticeable every time you drive it, and it may be worth considering the slightly higher cost of its competitors.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe Nissan vers has always been a popular and inexpensive subcompact car but with this version of the Versa Nissan had some new goals improve fuel economy and keep the price low but still retain lots of room like people most cars gain weight over the years but the Nissan verse is an exception it lost a whopping 250 lb compared with the previous generation sedan other changes to improve fuel economy include the addition of a 1.6 L 4 cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission or a CVT and those changes worked fuel economy is now much improved and competitive with the class acceleration is par for the course for the class it's adequate but not very quick unfortunately the CVT holds engine revs very high when you accelerate which creates a lot of noise engine noise is definitely one of the low points in this car the Versa rides pretty well for this class but handling is Clumsy the steering is lightly weighted there's little feedback and body roll builds as you gain speed in the corners this isn't a Nimble feeling car it feels soggy and rolly Poley at least emergency handling is utterly secure thanks to standard electronic stability control inside the Versa the controls are mostly straightforward and simple we do wish that there was a tuning knob on the radio and the the cheap filling climate control knobs have hard to- read markings actually the whole interior feels really cheap the previous Versa felt a little bit like a luxury car but no more everything in here is hard and the interior is pretty Spartan the headliner is like fuzzy cardboard and the carpets are like trunk liner in the glove box door it just plops open the Versa optimizes interior space the car is narrow but it's very tall and there's plenty of headro but there's no telescoping steering wheel and many drivers felt that it was too far away for an easy comfortable reach one of the most impressive parts of the vers is the rear seat space room for two adults is on par with some family sedans but that narrow cabin makes it snug for three the Versa starts at around $112,000 but most versions are going to be equipped like our SV test car which came out to just under $15,500 that is pretty cheap but then again you're reminded of that cheapness every time you drive the car maybe that's the biggest shortcoming with the Nissan Versa competitors like the Hyundai Accent the Ford FS and the Chevrolet Sonic do cost a bit more but they aren't penalty boxes to drive Nissan might have met its goals with this redesign but the market has shifted in a fundamentally different direction for now go and buy a Nissan Versa hatchback it sticks to the older better designthe Nissan vers has always been a popular and inexpensive subcompact car but with this version of the Versa Nissan had some new goals improve fuel economy and keep the price low but still retain lots of room like people most cars gain weight over the years but the Nissan verse is an exception it lost a whopping 250 lb compared with the previous generation sedan other changes to improve fuel economy include the addition of a 1.6 L 4 cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission or a CVT and those changes worked fuel economy is now much improved and competitive with the class acceleration is par for the course for the class it's adequate but not very quick unfortunately the CVT holds engine revs very high when you accelerate which creates a lot of noise engine noise is definitely one of the low points in this car the Versa rides pretty well for this class but handling is Clumsy the steering is lightly weighted there's little feedback and body roll builds as you gain speed in the corners this isn't a Nimble feeling car it feels soggy and rolly Poley at least emergency handling is utterly secure thanks to standard electronic stability control inside the Versa the controls are mostly straightforward and simple we do wish that there was a tuning knob on the radio and the the cheap filling climate control knobs have hard to- read markings actually the whole interior feels really cheap the previous Versa felt a little bit like a luxury car but no more everything in here is hard and the interior is pretty Spartan the headliner is like fuzzy cardboard and the carpets are like trunk liner in the glove box door it just plops open the Versa optimizes interior space the car is narrow but it's very tall and there's plenty of headro but there's no telescoping steering wheel and many drivers felt that it was too far away for an easy comfortable reach one of the most impressive parts of the vers is the rear seat space room for two adults is on par with some family sedans but that narrow cabin makes it snug for three the Versa starts at around $112,000 but most versions are going to be equipped like our SV test car which came out to just under $15,500 that is pretty cheap but then again you're reminded of that cheapness every time you drive the car maybe that's the biggest shortcoming with the Nissan Versa competitors like the Hyundai Accent the Ford FS and the Chevrolet Sonic do cost a bit more but they aren't penalty boxes to drive Nissan might have met its goals with this redesign but the market has shifted in a fundamentally different direction for now go and buy a Nissan Versa hatchback it sticks to the older better design\n"
