CD Article: 2007 Nissan Versa 1.8S sedan

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

The new Nissan Versa sedan is "the roomiest car in its price class," says contributor Laurance Yap, and has a "big" trunk too. The ride is "among the best in its class", but handling is "less eager" than a Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit, he reports.  It's the only car in its class available with a six-speed manual transmission, he notes.
   
   More...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Good review. I like that they made it boxy so as not to compromise roominess.

Compact affordable Buick is why it's going to sell. Huge seats, compliant ride, room, and low price. Plus lots of equipment (Bluetooth, audio, sunroof, etc) choice.

The centre dash could be rounded on the edges so it doesn't stick out and hit my knee like it does, but really can't knock it otherwise.

[Jaeger]

Great write-up.  I am really impressed with the hatchback version of this vehicle.  The sedan looks a bit too square and upright to my eye.  The people space inside the hatchback is really startling, given the modest external dimensions.  I am sure the Honda Fit drives well, but parked beside the Versa it looks like a toy car.  Nissan should have no problem moving these things.

Jaeger

[UmroAyyar]

Versa is the most versatile of all the small hatcbacks in the market. Perfect even for a small family. Would prefer this over Sentra at all costs.

(I just "needed" a bigger car.  )

[tpl]

We did not consider the versa sedan.   But the hatch certainly was a very nice car, spoiled for my wife because of the very noisy, intrusive ABS ( she tested it on an icy -19 day) and worst, the ring around the gear lever that has to be lifted to get into reverse. This is a problem with arthritis 'cos it is just finger movement.  We were not considering an automatic... and if we had been it would have been the CVT.
 I thought that a bit more thought could have been applied to the back seat folding in the hatch, that is, tip up the cushions and then lie the backs down. Does not apply to the sedan of course.

Size wise we'd compare it to the Rabbit rather than the Fit.

[dorin]

Like many of his generation - he's 22 and working in the financial-services industry - he doesn't really want to compromise. On his list of requirements are an automatic transmission (the 2003 Honda Civic he drives now has a great manual but he insists it's too much work), lots of room, a quiet cabin and decent performance for a bargain-basement price. That, plus he absolutely does not want a hatchback.

That comment makes me really really sad about people in their early 20's. 

Thinking that manual transmissions are "too much work" and absolutely not wanting a hatchback sounds like the stereotypical old person driver not someone in their early 20's.

There really is no hope for having more true driving enthusiasts with young drivers like that out there...   

[PJungnitsch]

But the hatch certainly was a very nice car, spoiled for my wife because of the very noisy, intrusive ABS ( she tested it on an icy -19 day)

I noticed the noisy ABS in the snow on my parents car when they got it as well. Swapped the OEM's for Nokian WR's right away and the ABS hardly activates any more.

[jww]

Like many of his generation - he's 22 and working in the financial-services industry - he doesn't really want to compromise. On his list of requirements are an automatic transmission (the 2003 Honda Civic he drives now has a great manual but he insists it's too much work), lots of room, a quiet cabin and decent performance for a bargain-basement price. That, plus he absolutely does not want a hatchback.

That comment makes me really really sad about people in their early 20's. 

Thinking that manual transmissions are "too much work" and absolutely not wanting a hatchback sounds like the stereotypical old person driver not someone in their early 20's.

There really is no hope for having more true driving enthusiasts with young drivers like that out there...   

The future is not in good hands, if this is the case.....