Nissan Versa - Review

DRIVE MAGAZINE - 

A number of tiny sedans flaunt gaudy moves, fashionable cabin appointments, or advanced-tech options, however the 2013 Jewish calendar month Versa Sedan is not one in all them. It makes a additional straightforward, ancient small-car sales talk, with an occasional value, smart mileage, and a fairly convenient interior.

That said, the Versa Sedan looks—at least from a distance—to have upward aspirations. With its curvier, lower roofline, the newest Versa strays from its three-dimensional precursor and borrows a number of the proportions from larger Jewish calendar month and Infiniti models (with a grille style that matches the new Sentra and Altima), in conjunction with some European influence in its flowing sheetmetal and details. Inside, it's back to small-car tradition, with associate degree undeniably basic, nearly parts-bin look to the gathering of cues and switchgear.

With last year's design, Jewish calendar month managed to spice up mileage by many mpg across the lineup, and for 2013 Versa Sedan models with the unendingly variable automatic drive (CVT) manage to hit the lofty 40-mpg main road mark. sadly, the Versa is not very gratifying to drive—especially with the CVT and its sluggish responses, additionally to eleven.5-second 0-60 mph times. The 109-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine may currently be had with a conventional four-speed automatic drive or five-speed manual, however each of these ar solely offered in base Versa S versions. Overall, the driving expertise is merely enough to stay the heartbeat going, with light-weight however precise electrical power steering mechanism that feels right for urban driving however needs too several tiny changes at speed.

Inside, the Versa Sedan is snug, and it's extremely spacious considering its exterior size, however we tend to would not try and build four taller adults try and travel along here. The seats ar short and flat and not all that snug, and in back it's shocking that rear seatbacks do not fold—not as one piece—on abundant of the lineup. The trunk is large, though.

The Versa's suspension is soft and absorbent compared to several different small-car models, therefore ride quality is sort of smart, and also the Versa soaks up urban potholes or motorway rough water quite well. Materials and trims are not any revelation here; the arduous and hollow dash materials impress as equally as low-cost because the Versa's sub-$13,000 base value (including destination), and present road and engine noise do not prove otherwise.

Value for the dollar is just about the most motivation for many shoppers considering the 2013 Jewish calendar month Versa, and this year Jewish calendar month has intercalary worth, with additional normal options, on its mid-range SV and top-of-the-line terrorist group models. Meanwhile, at a bottom-line value beginning below $12,800 for the bottom Versa S, it's one in all the foremost cheap models within the U.S. market—even if it will feel a little bargain-basement.

Base S models associate with manual wind-up windows, no power mirrors, and strictly the fundamentals, however air-con is enclosed altogether trims. This year, additionally to the manual-transmission Versa S, Jewish calendar month has intercalary associate degree S model with a four-speed automatic drive, and every one S models currently associate with a cargo-area lamp. Above that, there is a new Versa Sedan S and CVT model, exchange the S CVT and adding normal controller. Mid-level Versa SV and commanding terrorist group models additionally get some further normal options. choices embrace Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio, and a navigation system with XM NavTraffic.