Seattle, Washington – When the Nissan Versa was introduced in 2007, I described it as “the jumbo shrimp of subcompacts.” The metaphor was apt, consumers liked the Versa, and the vehicle turned out to be very successful for Nissan Canada.
But along with its “big on the inside, small on the outside” packaging, the Versa boasted another notable feature; its low price. This also appealed to thrifty Canadian consumers.
For 2012, the second-generation Versa Sedan doesn’t mess with success. It arrives in an even trimmer package — shaving 15 millimetres from its length, 30 mm in height and shedding 68 kilograms — and starts at a segment-leading $11,798 in base trim (plus $1,497 freight), rising to $13,798 for the higher-specification SV model and $16,298 for the top Versa SL.
Inside, the Versa Sedan boasts generous headroom, surprising rear seat legroom (equivalent to that of a full-size Lexus, Nissan says), and an intermediate-car sized 419 litre trunk. It really does offer a compact (and beyond) interior in a subcompact exterior.
Built on a new global “V” (for versatile) platform, the 2012 Nissam Versa Sedan is powered by a second-generation 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with dual fuel injectors that makes 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the base and SV models, with a CVT “automatic” available at extra cost on the SV and standard on the SL.
Owners can expect fuel consumption of 6.7/5.2 L/100 km, city/highway (6.0 L/100 km combined) from the CVT models and 7.5/5.4 L/100 km city/highway (6.6 L/100 km combined) from the manual transmission.
The 2012 Versa Sedan’s exterior design has been massaged and smoothed, looking less boxy than the outgoing model. It is still a rather nondescript car, however, with pleasant but conventional lines that blend into the surrounding traffic. The Versa has a new grille that will debut on other Nissan models as they are released.
Nissan is aiming the Versa Sedan at a category of consumers it calls “social pragmatists,” which I believe kindly translates to “frugal.” However, very few people will purchase the Versa Sedan in base form (the rear seat doesn’t fold, windows are manual, no power locks, no air conditioning, although it does have heated mirrors), and Nissan executives admit that such a model exists mainly as a marketing exercise, enabling the company to bill the Versa as the sedan with the lowest MSRP in Canada.
While that may be true, most buyers will prefer a model with automatic transmission and “air,” which would be the $15,098 Versa SV. It is also equipped with popular features like power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, chrome trim, fine vision gauges and upgraded interior fabrics, riding on 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. A $400 Convenience Package adds Bluetooth connectivity, remote audio controls, iPod interface and cruise control).
Built on a new global “V” (for versatile) platform, the 2012 Versa Sedan is powered by a second-generation 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with dual fuel injectors that makes 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the base and SV models, with a CVT “automatic” available at extra cost on the SV and standard on the SL.
You can lower the SV price to $13,798 with a manual transmission, but the premium Versa SL is CVT-only, comes standard with the Convenience Package and adds alloy wheels (still 15-inch) and fog lights, for $16,298. It can also be specified with a navigation system and satellite radio for an additional $800. Top price for the 2012 Versa, then, is $17,098 all-in.
On the road the Versa Sedan is smooth and quiet in normal driving conditions. The suspension is tuned for comfort and the operation of the CVT transmission seems much less intrusive than earlier versions. Only under hard acceleration does engine noise become noticeable, producing a utilitarian note.
As mentioned above, rear seat legroom is a notable feature of this car, and parents should have no problem accommodating one, two or even three young children back there. Up front, the driver and passenger have plenty of room to stretch out, but shoulder room is somewhat limited. Although the steering wheel tilts up and down, it doesn’t telescope, which is a feature that shorter drivers may miss. The trunk requires a key to unlock from the outside, which used to be normal, but now seems inconvenient.
The rear seatbacks split and fold 60/40, but as noted above, they are not fitted to the base model. The interior is only available in a dark grey (charcoal) colour that Nissan Canada research indicates is the preference for most Canadians. The charcoal is nice enough, but Americans also get a smart beige interior that brightens things up. Overall, though, the interior is nicely executed and doesn’t look or feel cheap.
Driving in the urban traffic of Seattle, Washington, the Versa impressed us as a simple car to operate, easy to enter and exit, and quiet on the road. Its controls are basic and easy to use, with large rotary knobs for heating and ventilation and good outward visibility in all directions. Its bug-eyed vents located at each end of the dashboard seem a little Nissan Juke-like, but they work well enough, directing a good volume of air to your face or to the side windows. They’re probably the only quirky design feature of the whole car.
Indeed, the Versa eschews the distinctive design of, say, the Hyundai Accent, and the sporty character of the Mazda2 or Ford Fiesta. In contrast, it’s a plain but agreeable car that delivers solid practicality without much personality. Small car, quality feel, lots of room, low price is pretty much the story.
Unfortunately for Canadians, who in general prefer hatchbacks over sedans (only 10 per cent of Versas sold here are sedans), the new Versa hatchback won’t be available for another year-and-a-half. Until then, the first-generation Versa hatchback continues unchanged, and Nissan Canada is hoping that the qualities of the new Versa Sedan will balance the hatchback/sedan mix by the time the new Versa hatchback is released.
The 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan is built in Mexico and arrives in showrooms mid-August, 2011.
Pricing: 2012 Nissan Versa
Base (MT only): $11,798
SV MT: $13,798
SV CVT: $15,098
SL CVT: $16,298
Freight: $1,497
