Picture Gallery: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
Day 1:
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It’s larger than life, it’s so darn big……. actually it’s not very big at all! It’s a sub-compact competitor to the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. It is the Nissan Versa, Nissan’s newest entry level vehicle, which starts at $14,498.
Nissan’s commercials will lead you to believe the Versa is a huge vehicle if you aren’t in tune with its intended message. The sub-compact Versa is very roomy inside for its class. Headroom is extraordinary - if you’re tall and looking for a vehicle in this class, this is one that should not pass you by. The Versa can carry a lot of cargo as well, aided by the high roof line and hatch back body style.
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My tester for the week is the 1.8SL with the technology package and CVT (automatic) transmission. The SL version adds a ton of useful features that the base 1.8 S model doesn’t get, including 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power door locks, Power windows with driver’s one-touch up/down feature, Cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls and many more.
My tester also includes the $1,000.00 tech package which adds some fairly high end features; Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, six upgraded speakers plus Rockford Fosgate-powered subwoofer, auxiliary audio input jack, 6 disc CD changer + MP3/WMA and a few other doodads.
Initial impressions of the Versa are good; I’ll admit I’ve seen some less than favourable reviews of the Versa and so far I’ve found them to be misleading. Some reviewers dislike CVT transmissions and give vehicles so equipped bad reviews based solely on that. I have very few biases and CVTs are not one of them.
2007 Nissan Versa SL
MSRP as tested: $19,398.00
For more information on Nissan and the Versa visit Nissan Canada
Updated October 2nd 2006
Day 2:
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As many of you seemed to have noticed the Versa is much larger than its competitors in the sub-compact class. The Versa’s dimensions lend it more to competing in the compact category. Although it is smaller than such cars as the Mazda Mazda3 and Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix twins, almost leaving itself in a category on its own.
The Versa is powered by a 1.8 litre developing 122 HP and 127 lb-ft of torque, and in my tester mated to the CVT transmission. This type of transmission is devoid of shift points.
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With virtually unlimited gear ratios, provided by adjusting a pulley and belt system, the engine is kept in the meat of its power band on heavy acceleration and allows for excellent fuel economy during conservative driving.
In the Versa city driving is an unbelievably smooth and quiet experience, especially when driven by the CVT transmission. During normal city acceleration the tachometer reads 2000rpm and never moves. As a result, no jerking as the transmission tries to find the next gear, no loud harsh noise from the small 1.8litre engine as it attempts to move the 2779lbs of the Versa.
Not only is the Versa quiet due to the transmission but road and wind noise have been kept to an absolute minimum. We had a beautiful day today here in Ottawa and even with both front windows rolled down road noise was virtually nil.
As a bonus the tech package in my tester has an excellent stereo, combined with the quiet and smooth ride, it is easy to forget you are driving a car of this class.
Updated October 3rd 2006
Day 3:
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Each year, small cars are getting better and better. Hopefully the trend of getting larger doesn’t continue but smoother quieter and more refined are qualities I can only praise.
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There are some small touches on the interior of the Versa that are worth mentioning. The centre armrest, which doubles are a storage bin, can be folded out of the way for one. Thank you Nissan for something useful! Both arm rests, the aforementioned centre one and the door arm rest are padded extremely well. Thank you again for not bruising my elbows!
The Tech package added to my tester contains a leather-wrapped steering wheel, although for some reason the wheel feels very slippery. I’ve found while turning with one hand or a light touch on the wheel it tends to slip, or at least scare me enough to think it may.
As far as storage in the Versa, little cubby holes between the seats, door panels with very large map pockets and a fairly large glove box make for a good number storage places. Cargo capacity is large as well at 504litres with the seats up, or 1427 litres with the seats down but unfortunately, those seats do not fold perfectly flat. The trunk has a low floor which allows for taller and larger items, 1427 litres of cargo capacity is extremely generous!
Updated October 4th 2006
Day 4:
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Day 4 of my blogs are always interesting - this is the day I determine the fuel economy numbers. This is especially interesting on a vehicle of this type, as fuel consumption is one of the key factors to purchase decisions in this price range.
The Versa’s fuel consumption as rated by Natural Resources Canada is 7.9 / 6.1 L/100km (city/highway) with the CVT transmission. I had a chance to take the Versa out for close to 300km of driving this past week, about half city and half highway. I averaged approximately 7.3L/100km, right smack dab in the middle of the advertised rating.
The Versa has proved to me that it is a force to contend with, offering incredible interior volume, a quiet and smooth drive and good fuel consumption. Couple that with some great features such as heated mirrors, a great stereo and bluetooth technology and it really is a good value.
I did notice one little quirk today which I found rather funny. The fuel door release placement is directly to the left of the hood release ….. I guess if you accidentally pop the hood instead of the fuel door you might as well check your oil at the same time.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Nissan Versa SL
MSRP as tested: $19,398.00
For more information on Nissan and the Versa visit Nissan Canada
to our site.
October 04, 2006, 02:50:34 pm Sub compact or compact: Catagories or labels do not matter much when the real issues are value for money. First cost and operating expense are halmarks of the economy car segment. If the Versa supplies these on a par with smaller sub-compacts, then more power to Nissan!
The May Family
06 Civic 06 Ridgeline 05 Corolla 03 Vulcan Nomad
October 04, 2006, 08:28:52 pm We will be looking for a 2nd vehicle in the next 18 months or so. Our list will include the following in no particular order of importance:
It will be interesting what other entries to the sub-compact space will show up by then - if the Saturn badged Vauxhall Astra is out (which I expect) then that gets added to the list and may be the top priority.
October 04, 2006, 08:56:40 pm congratulations Wing you've made the front page.
Quote: Day-by-Day Review: 2007 Nissan Versa
Each week, James Bergeron tests a new car and reports daily on his impressions. Read his views in his daily blog in CanadianDriver's CarTalkCanada discussion forum. Then have your say. Post a reply. This week.
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October 04, 2006, 09:01:23 pm ^ I've been on the front page for 3 weeks
October 04, 2006, 09:12:49 pm How was it BJ….I mean JB.
October 05, 2006, 08:05:53 am
October 05, 2006, 02:13:00 pm Anyone know if Nissan offers their Grad Rebate on the Versa?
October 05, 2006, 02:56:29 pm
It will be interesting what other entries to the sub-compact space will show up by then - if the Saturn badged Vauxhall Astra is out (which I expect) then that gets added to the list and may be the top priority.
October 05, 2006, 03:40:38 pm
Don't forget the Yaris.
October 05, 2006, 03:46:34 pm
Don't forget the Yaris.
You need a Johnny on that list
October 05, 2006, 04:40:17 pm
You need a Johnny on that list
Haha... i love the one where the girl tries to seduce him.
October 05, 2006, 10:30:16 pm After my Yaris, this would likley be (have been) my 2nd choice.
October 06, 2006, 09:01:43 am
It will be interesting what other entries to the sub-compact space will show up by then - if the Saturn badged Vauxhall Astra is out (which I expect) then that gets added to the list and may be the top priority.
October 06, 2006, 10:24:07 am I read a review in the National Post that absolutely bashed Versa's suspension. Is it that bad?
I can attest that 2001 Sentra GXE handles really badly, I hope the trend discontinues, as otherwise I like most other aspects of the car.
I can see that the review gives handling 3 stars out of 4.
October 06, 2006, 11:16:50 am It is not bad at all, who was the reviewer for the national post? It is a soft compliant ride and handles ok, I did not push the car to the limits, I found it understeered when pushed but it was more than fine. It did not bounce around or provide negative feedback at all.
October 06, 2006, 01:31:25 pm So now you have driven almost all the small compacts which would you buy if you were in the market for a small car the Fit, Yaris, Accent, or the Versa. Which one would have your money.
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October 06, 2006, 01:40:48 pm He can't afford to have a FAV'Y...........................
October 06, 2006, 04:41:51 pm Mr Wing
Does the front pax seat fold flat to accomodate long items?
Comment
It is a nice car but the ad campaign just sucks. All the show is the Versa pull up and thatn open the hatch to have aquariums and other stupid things in there. Every comercail is the same it just has different crap in the hatch. The funny thing is that despite the fact it has 50 cubic ft of cargo space the way the seats fold to leave an 8 inch step in cargo area is a turn off. And I do suspect the fron seat does not fold flat either. So the ad campaign is high lighting one of the weakess design areas of the car.
They should show the excellent interior design, flaunt the passenger spaceand the smooth / quiet ride.
October 07, 2006, 02:10:02 am
My thoughts exactly. Other than the two seat Smart, there hasn't been a real subcompact sold in Canada since the Metro
October 07, 2006, 08:27:30 am
My thoughts exactly. Other than the two seat Smart, there hasn't been a real subcompact sold in Canada since the Metro
October 07, 2006, 11:09:31 am
What do you consider a "real" subcompact? The Echo hatch was actually shorter than the Swift/Metro, and the Yaris is only 0.2" inches longer. If you are focusing on weight, I might well agree.
October 07, 2006, 03:08:08 pm
Yep - test drove it with a 6 speed .. it seems ok. The interior is nice. The exterior is .. well I guess its a matter of opinion. When I first seem it I thought it looked like an older renault.
By the way, about half of the technology package is included in the US version of the Versa. It seems Nissan is trying to leverage the upgraded audio to get us to by bluetooth + ipod nonsense stuff.
The car is ok .. but the biggest marks are awarded for having the closest price when compared to the US MRSP. It's only about $1000 - $1500 more.
If your negotiating I'd try to get the upgraded audio for free - it is in the US.
Cheers,
R.
October 16, 2006, 05:54:38 pm
Yes, weight is a big issue, and so are width and height. These dimentions have major fuel economy implications - you're not going to get 60 MPG with a car that weighs over a ton (unless it is a hybrid), and aerodynamic drag is directly proportional to frontal area. Length to me is the least important dimention to keep under control. Why make a car wide enough to put 2.5 people in the back seat? Either go all the way to "compact" size and have 3 full seats or narrow it down to 2 so it fits into the 3/4 parking spaces that pop up everywhere when the parking lot lines get covered with snow. As for weight, the Echo hatchback was almost 50% heavier than the Metro, and just as heavy as the Echo sedan. Newer hatchbacks are artificially short due to the near zero rear overhang that seems to be the modern styling fashion. This kills the "small on the outside, big on the inside" advantage of hatchbacks. If the Echo hatchback was made by sloping the rear window of the sedan more instead of lopping off the trunk it would have been much more practical with little or no downside. The 1989-1994 Metro could carry 4 people or 2 people and a lot of stuff comfortably while tipping the scale at only 750kg. You could even fit about 20 2x4s in one and still close the hatch. My wife and I brought home our queen size bed in and on top of a Metro. Of course, the ultimate in space design has to be the original Mini - why oh why did BMW have to go and turn it into a much bigger and more expensive high end car?
October 16, 2006, 06:04:55 pm BTW, the heaviest Echo hatch was 995 kg curb weight, hardly "50%" more than the metro.
I owned 2 Ausin Minis (1 a Cooper) and a 1991 Suzuki Swift. I consider my Yaris 5-door to be a "real" subcompact. Your mileage obviously varies, but I do agree that it would be nice to see some cars with less "flab". The Cooper weighed in at 1485 lb (675 kg).
October 16, 2006, 07:40:11 pm My parents in Salmon Arm just ordered themselves a Versa, should have it in a month or so. A red SL with the CVT.