CD Article: 2007 Nissan Versa

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:

Larger than the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Chevy Aveo hatchbacks, the 2007 Nissan Versa is "the jumbo shrimp of the entry-level class," reports Paul Williams. "In gambling parlance, it sees the competition, and raises it," says Williams.  Available this July, the Versa is expected to start under $15,000.       More...

[a4_tom]

I have sat in Tiida Sporthatch/Latio back in Asia. The interior space is simply amazing for its class. Nissan has package that outclassed Fit and Yaris, simply because Tiida competes with Civic, Corolla and Mazda3 in Asian markets. Interior materials in Tiida are surprisingly rich and soft for Nissan, interesting to see how Mexican-made Versa's interior will be like.

[84im]

Car manufacturers have finally realized that Canadians want this type of vehicle.

[rovermark]

it seems the canadiandriver is doing away with high resolution images in favour of low quality ones....

[articsteve]

6 speed manual standard is a major plus for highway users.  This car is going to sell fast.

[philmcneal]

although the gearing of the CVT is better for the highway i hope the 6spd is fun to row through as well as having excellent hypermiling capability for 5.

Good pricing too! I might just trade in the coupe for this one...

[smainville]

I spent last week in London, UK, 2 cars I think are very cool are the Micra and Note.  Very sharp looking.  I was amazed to see how many choices of cars these people have, the Megane is also very different, many cars there are styled like that.  It will be interesting to see how Canadians respond to the Versa and the euro look.

[safristi]

Looks like a Mazda3 Hatch fer what $3 K less..........................less sporty though............and the fold down rears look so lame and ugly now that Fit has set a new benchmark for seat versatllity/utility...be great to take Fits seats into the Versa and vice versa  ..Mmm bed/lounger arrangment sweet!!! .............lookin' forward to some "TEST DRIVER" reports....... are ya listening WING?

[Mr Meow]

I wonder will this be another Nissan with a bad Renualt engine. That 350Z has a reno engine. Nissan used to be reliable. But since the french took over not so. So out of all the Japanese brands Nissan are the worst.
. 

[a4_tom]

350Z uses Nissan engine, VQ35DE. Its Renault Val Satis uses Nissan's VQ35DE engine. I have to agree that Nissan's quality has gone downhill after purchased by Renault though.

[Giant Dwarf]

So without further ado, let's here it for the 2007 Nissan Versa, Nissan's subcompact with a difference.

Here Hear?     I expect this kind of writing from Wing, not the pros.   

[wing]

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like the Fit's packaging, but this car looks to one-up it and will probably serve the needs of more people who want more car and are less fixated strictly on MPG. It's larger, which is what people want to feel comfy, has a compact car engine, more comfy seating and highway compliant ride, huge greenhouse and headroom I'm assuming, still has SABs standards (and neat Bluetooth and kickin' audio), and pricing has been hinted but yet to be released meaning it's going to be the best value going. Heck, I even like the styling even tho it's a tad too mature/homely in some ways (almost looks to big, but some nicer alloys might help). Too bad the seats fold like that, as it does take away from the vehicle. Also, I was looking FW to the 6spd manual but reviewers are panning it thus far for being sloppy.

[Howswedeitis]

It seems to me the Versa is a better package than the dorky Honda Fit.
What I don't seem to understand is why in 2006 a 1.8 16v motor
can't eek out more HP and Torque than the 1987 VW GTI 16v
I drove way back then?

[Mr Meow]

Getting off the topic slighty. At least this car looks moden. I sore a rebadge Fit/Jazz yesterday. OMG for new car it looked old. like a 4 year old design which it is. For that reason alone I would not buy one. It was in a Horrid Orange too. Anyways you know as soon as brought it gonna be replace. Like all those suckers who brought Yaris. it was replaced in 6 mths by a swanky new design. Honda do new models every 4 years.
.

[a4_tom]

Jazz/Fit won't be replaced until 2008/09 simply because it sold too well anywhere else. It will be another Honda, after the 2nd generation Integra, that will have an 8-year lifecycle.

[Loudpedal]

I like the Versa and I too think it will sell well.   I do think the C pillar is strange looking and ruins the overall looks.  The front end and interior look great though. 

[Howswedeitis]

I like the Versa and I too think it will sell well.   I do think the C pillar is strange looking and ruins the overall looks.  The front end and interior look great though. 

C pillar a la Renault Megane or Clio...I prefer the look on the Renault products but
it's not too bad on the Nissan...

[slybry]

I also like this better that the Honda Fit. I remember seeing the fit at car show. Looked inside and said yuck and moved on very quickly.

This Versa looks promising. Nice interior and the test say its quite quiet and comfortable.  Like to give a CVT transmission a try.

What scares me is Renault's affect on reliability and also the futher impact of it being built in Mexico. Being bulit there has not proven to be good for cars.

[Howswedeitis]

I also like this better that the Honda Fit. I remember seeing the fit at car show. Looked inside and said yuck and moved on very quickly.

This Versa looks promising. Nice interior and the test say its quite quiet and comfortable.  Like to give a CVT transmission a try.

What scares me is Renault's affect on reliability and also the futher impact of it being built in Mexico. Being bulit there has not proven to be good for cars.

I wouldn't worry about the "effect" Renault will have on Nissans' reliability. Renault makes some
excellent cars...in fact there are still quite a few mid 80's Renault 5's running around and
you don't see to many circa 80's Japanese cars still on the road...