Road Test 2010 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback: Our niche, their niche

November 14, 10:13 PMAuto Review ExaminerJohn Matras

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Funny thing about world cars. A car that's fills one niche in one market may fill another one entirely in another market. Such is the case with the Nissan Versa. Here in the U.S., it's a compact economy sedan/hatchback. In other markets, it's a luxury car, or at least more up market. Which is why, as on our test 2010 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback, the B-segment Nissan can be equipped with features often not found on that class of automobile in the United States.

The Nissan Versa isn't the most mechanically sophisticated vehicle in Nissan's lineup, nor is intended to be. Sharing a platform with Nissan's Sentra, a compact sedan in more conventional dress, the Versa has conventional strut front suspension but a torsion beam semi-independent arrangement at the rear. It's inexpensive and keeps the rear bumper off the ground but it isn't the best route to a smooth ride and sports car handling.

The Nissan Versa also makes do with front disc/rear drum brakes. Again, it's low cost, but it works well enough for most situations.

The engines are small as well. The Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan has, as the name suggests, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that squeaks out 107 horsepower. Anything but the base model is powered by a 1.8-liter inline four. It's bigger and more powerful but it's still only 122 hp.

But the Nissan Versa 1.6 Base sedan has a price tag of only $9,990--though no one will buy a Versa quite that bare--while the Versa 1.8 S Hatchback has a base price of $13,150 with a six-speed manual transmission, or $1,000 more for a four-speed automatic, with the 1.8-liter engine. The top of the line 1.8 SL Hatchback starts at $16,530. That's not to call the Nissan Versa cheap--as in not-just-inexpensive--but it does establish its budgetmobile street cred.

Where the Nissan Versa differs from many budget savers is not only the standard equipment and features, but also the options available. Our test Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback, for example, had standard stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking, plus power windows, keyless remote locking with automatic locking, and cruise control. The Premium Package available on 1.8 SL Hatchback includes a proximity key system, Bluetooth hands-free phone and more, and a navigation/satellite radio package will be available after the beginning of the year.

In other words, while there are other cars that can say the same, one might need to shop more expensive cars to get the same level of equipment available on the Nissan Versa.

However, the addition of the stuff that makes an upscale car in other parts of the world still doesn't make the Nissan Versa an elegant ride here. One has to opt for the SL trim level (hatchback or sedan) before the Versa comes with door armrest pads. And then, the 1.8 SL Hatchback also sports a roof-mounted rear spoiler, rocker panel extensions, unique front and rear fascia and fog lights.

The Nissan Versa isn't heavy, at 2,758 pounds, for the Versa 1.8 SL, the highest of any Versa model, but even so, the Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback is the only Versa that comes with a CVT. Theoretically, the stepless continuously variable transmission should be quicker than the other models--though the added weight of the SL mitigates against that. It does mean, however, like most other CVT/small motor combos, the revs head for redline and the merest suggestion of throttle. It's efficient, but it results in a nervous powertrain that's always sending revs soaring. It's sufficiently loud that drivers in hilly areas will be quickly annoyed or quickly inured to the up-and-down of the engine revs.

The Versa's ride isn't particularly elegant though the solid unit body chassis doesn't shake over rough pavement and we heard no rattles. The Nissan Versa is taller than a conventional sedan--that's one of its virtues--but there's payback in the form of added lean around corners that makes a no nonsense suggestions to slow down.

The payoff for the Nissan Versa's height, however, is a roomy interior. Seats high off the floor mean generous leg room and headroom shouldn't be a problem for most riders either. Interior room front to back is more than six feet, and cargo volume is 17.8 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks up, or 50.4 with the seatbacks folded. There's not a flat floor, however, rather a trunk floor and the 60/40 folded seatbacks about a foot higher.

The styling that comes with that tall roofline, however, is something that only a marriage between a French car company and a Japanese car company, and both of them in a particularly frolicsome moment, could contrive.

The 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback isn't mechanically clever, just straightforward and economical transportation, if in a distinctive package. That may put America at odds with other parts of the world, but if the Nissan Versa fills one niche here and another there, who's to complain?
 

Illustration: 2010 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL. Photo by John Matras.

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