The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan has been fully redesigned, with major improvements being made to interior roominess and fuel economy. The 201...
The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan has been fully redesigned, with major improvements being made to interior roominess and fuel economy. The 2012 Nissan Versa is a tale of two cars. The Versa sedan has been completely redesigned for 2012. The Versa hatchback, however, soldiers on in its previous guise with only standard feature upgrades on which to hang its hat. In terms of exterior size, the new 2012 Versa sedan is largely unchanged. Fuel economy is up, and when equipped with the revised continuously variable automatic transmission, the Versa sedan achieves an impressive 33 mpg combined EPA estimate. The sedan's also between 3 and 6 mpg better than the hatchback depending on transmission.
Inevitably, though, your choice is more complicated than simply Versa versus Versa. The 2012 Nissan Versa is available in sedan and hatchback body styles, but each represents different vehicle generations. The Versa sedan comes in three trim levels: S, SV and SL. Stepping up to the Versa SV sedan adds the Cruise Control package, full power accessories, keyless entry, upgraded upholstery and upgraded gauges. The Versa SL sedan gets 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and the contents of the SV Convenience package. The SL Tech package adds a navigation system, a compact touchscreen interface and satellite radio.
The Versa hatchback is available in S and SL trim levels. The Plus package adds keyless entry and cruise control. The Convenience package adds the Plus package, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and an iPod interface. The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 109 hp and 107 pound-feet of torque. The 2012 Nissan Versa hatchback is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, a manual-equipped Versa hatchback went from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined with the manual and 24/32/27 with the automatic. The Versa hatchback SL comes standard with a CVT, which brings fuel economy up to 28/34/30.
Regardless of body style, the 2012 Nissan Versa comes standard with antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), brake assist, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the Versa hatchback earned an overall rating of two stars out of a possible five, with three stars for overall frontal crash protection and two stars for overall side crash protection. While the interiors of the Versa sedan and hatchback differ in design, their basic virtues are similar. The Versa's overstuffed front seats are comfortable enough during hour-long commutes, but support fades over long drives.
Trunk space is enormous for a subcompact sedan, with 14.8 cubic feet of space.
With the latter, the Versa boasts excellent fuel-economy figures that are estimated to be 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway, or 33 mpg combined.
For around $14,500, it's the least expensive car with an automatic transmission, air conditioning and power windows. If a low car payment matters most, mark your calendar. The Versa goes on sale in August.
Like many base models, the Versa S has black side mirrors and door handles. The higher trim levels have body-colored mirrors and chrome handles; the Versa SL adds fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels. The car measures slightly shorter than the outgoing Versa sedan, but the trunk hangs an extra 2.7 inches past the rear wheels. The same goes for the Versa's cabin. The Versa's wheel only tilts.
By the numbers, the Versa beats the Accent sedan by 3.7 inches and beats the Fiesta by nearly 6 inches. The previous Versa sedan had a lot of these things.
Like most entry-level cars, the Versa has adequate power for most situations, even with the air conditioning on.
The last Versa was a soft car, and I'm glad Nissan didn't change the formula. On broken pavement the Versa stays connected to the road, despite its low-tech semi-independent rear suspension. In a segment characterized by firm-riding cars such as the Fit Sport and Fiat 500, the Versa's comfort stands out.
At 30/38 mpg city/highway with the automatic, the Versa's highway gas mileage falls just short of the vaunted 40 mpg boasted by the Fiesta, Accent, Rio and Sonic. The EPA rates the stick-shift Versa S at 30 mpg overall.
The 2012 Versa sedan has not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Extreme bargains are scarce these days, and Nissan deserves credit for keeping the Versa wallet-friendly.
