2007 Nissan Versa Review

Making due with less is something we've all learned about at some point in life. Maybe it was when Dad got laid off, maybe it was during that drought in 1994, or maybe it was soon after receiving that initial tiny check from your first “real” job after college. Making due with less invariably involves a degree of sacrifice, like eating Kraft macaroni and cheese day in and out, watching the lawn turn brown to ensure there's enough tap water to boil your tasty and now familiar dinner, or driving home a relatively efficient, $17,000 Nissan Versa rather than a Nissan Armada SUV. Regardless of what motivates the purchase of a small car – sticker price, fuel economy, size – subcompact vehicle buyers are growing in numbers, yet unlike the scenario more than 30 years ago, when small cars were little more than tinny boxes with a seat and a relatively efficient engine, today's subcompacts require minimal sacrifice. The 2007 Nissan Versa, for one, provides comfortable seating for four (with tighter quarters for five), standard side- and side-curtain airbags, air conditioning, a spacious interior and cargo area, and four-season-friendly front-wheel drive. A few thousand dollars more buys an upgraded interior and the power features the majority of buyers want. If there are detractions, they'd be the Versa's questionable styling and the 122-horsepower engine, the former just a fact of life and the latter capable of being run hard while still returning mileage in the 25-mpg range. Sacrifice shmacrifce. Competition within the subcompact class is heating up thanks to new arrivals such as the 109-horsepower Honda Fit and the 106-horsepower Toyota Yaris. The 2007 Nissan Versa outdoes them both with its 1.8-liter, dual overhead cam, 16-valve four-cylinder engine cranking out 122 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. Three transmissions are available: a standard six-speed manual, an optional four-speed automatic, and an optional continuously variable automatic. Every Versa is guided along its path by a power rack-and-pinion steering assembly, while a suspension system comprised of front struts and a rear torsion beam, aided by anti-sway bars, controls the ride. Front vented discs coupled with rear drums are charged with stopping the smallest Nissan currently sold on these shores, available in five-door hatchback form and a soon-to-arrive sedan version. The Versa hatchback offers up to 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, compared to 21.3 cubic feet in the Honda Fit and 16 cubic feet in the five-door Kia Rio SX. Interior dimensions are generally similar to the competition, except the Versa provides a noticeable jump in rear leg room versus the Fit. Base Versa hatchbacks, carrying the 1.8 S designation, are priced at $13,055 including a $605 destination charge. Besides the 122-horsepower engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the bare-bones Versa 1.8 S comes with suede door inserts, air conditioning, a 120-watt sound system with a CD player, a tilt steering wheel, 15-inch steel wheels rolling on 185/65 tires, a cargo cover, front-side and side-curtain airbags, front active headrests, and a tire pressure monitor. That covers the essentials for just more than $13,000, though the 1.8 S can be upgraded with options such as a four-speed automatic transmission ($800); a Power Package with power windows, power doors locks, keyless entry, and padded door armrests ($700); and four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution ($250). Starting at $15,055, the Versa 1.8 SL adds 15-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable front bucket seats, upgraded cloth upholstery and soft-touch interior plastics, a rear fold-down armrest, a 180-watt stereo with a six-disc CD changer and MP3/WMA player, an iPod jack, the 1.8 S model's Power Package, cruise control, and a lower front console. Buyers of the Versa 1.8 SL may also opt for an Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission ($1,000); a Convenience Package with a keyless ignition system, voice-activated Bluetooth connectivity, and steering wheel audio controls ($700); a power sunroof ($600); a Rockford-Fosgate sound system ($300); a Sport Package with body accents and front fog lights ($700); and Sirius or XM satellite radio ($350). Our Red Alert tester, a 2007 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL hatchback, was equipped with enough goodies to jack the price all the way up to $17,255, including the Convenience Package, power sunroof, Rockford-Fosgate sound system, antilock brakes, and satellite radio.

Performance

High-powered Hemis are fun, but for everyday usability and efficiency, the 122-horsepower Nissan Versa provides plenty of gusto for scooting around town, and with a little patience, will even climb to excessive speeds on the highway. Of course, too much of that and you end up with a combined fuel economy rating of 24.8 rather than a figure in the 30s. At least that's what happened to us. There's not a lot in the way of power reserves, so make sure to leave some room for freeway passes. A bit unique to this class, the Nissan Versa's smooth six-speed transmission makes shifting fun in a compact, though limited power behind each gear means you're shifting a lot, and the clutch is a bit grabby just before its release point. Also worth noting is that despite that six-cog transmission, revs still climb past 3,000 rpm at highway speeds.

Handling

It would seem that Nissan created the Versa as an economy car first, with everything else coming in second, including handling. With its relatively tall body, the 2007 Nissan Versa can get tossed around a bit on a windy, wide-open stretch of road. However, this little hatchback, wagon, or whatever category-of-the-day you want to place it in can hold its own on twisty roads with minimal body roll and a controllable amount of understeer. With hands planted firmly at the 9 and 3 positions, a driver's tactile senses will pick up some road feel, and the level of responsiveness is fine for an everyday compact, though Corvette and Mitsubishi Evolution owners need not turn green with envy. Nissan engineers have granted the Versa a controlled and comfortable ride which absorbs bumps well and without any ill effects on handling. Likewise, braking is well modulated and effective. If there was a weak point to recognize about our drive, it had to be those Continental ContiPro Contact tires fitted to our tester, which squealed like a distressed pig at the slightest provocation.

Visibility

It may be susceptible to cross winds, but the 2007 Nissan Versa's tall body allows for generous amounts of glass that afford plenty of visibility. Checking lanes before merging is a cinch thanks to a clear view all around. Ample side mirrors aid in the effort. If there are any things to complain about, they'd be the rear pillars that are just a hair on the wide side, and rear headrests that slightly hamper visibility. However, these are minor issues and likely only noticed when one is specifically looking at areas for possible improvement.

Fun to Drive

For drivers familiar with more powerful vehicles, the only challenge here is getting used to the 2007 Nissan Versa's 122 horsepower. A test drive of the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit should help put things in perspective. Once acclimated, there's some fun to be had wringing out the four-banger for a spirited jaunt, while rowing through the six-speed tranny can be quite entertaining. The Versa's powertrain provides a level of fun (not a particularly high level, but a level of fun nonetheless) uncommon to compact rides. Even corners can garner some smiles, provided you pay the squealing tires their due respect and stay within the limits.

Front Comfort

Apparently, Nissan never got the memo specifying crummy seats for economy cars. Instead, the Versa features great front buckets that are spacious, soft yet supportive, and in the case of the versions like our 1.8 SL, height-adjustable. Also on SL models are padded door sills, padded door armrests, and a padded fold-down center armrest, all serving to increase the comfort level. A tilting, leather-wrapped steering wheel is smooth to the touch and provides for a suitable driving position, while padded plastic on the center console and lower doors prevent knees from rubbing against hard surfaces in hard corners. Even with the seat jacked up, the Versa affords front occupants generous head room, and wide-opening doors permit easy entry and exit. Our only notable gripes include insufficient side bolsters and a shifter that feels an inch or so too low.

Rear Comfort

Like the front buckets, the Nissan Versa's rear bench seat is a comfy place to watch the miles roll by. Cushions are soft, outboard passengers are granted adjustable headrests, and 1.8 SL models feature a fold-down center armrest as well as padded door armrests and sills. Riders of all sizes will appreciate generous amounts of overall room, while soft seatbacks ensure long-legged travelers' knees won't be bruised. The 60/40 split folding seat is set at a comfortable recline position; the center seat, with its raised center armrest acting as a hard plank, is the least hospitable spot and not favored for long trips. Finally, the design of the rear doors may cause passengers to rub a pants leg against the wheel well when stepping out of the Versa.

Interior Noise

Economy cars are purchased for a number of reasons, yet add a quiet ride to that list and you're typically setting yourself up for disappointment. Not so with the 2007 Nissan Versa, a model that is designed to keep out a surprising amount of noise. There's some non-intrusive wind whistling at highway speeds, minimal road noise, and squealing tires that accompany every corner attacked with the slightest bit of spirit, yet none of it is terribly bothersome, and all is well within the expected bounds of an economy car. Even the four-cylinder engine is quiet except for when it's wrung out, at which point it remains relatively refined.

Loading Cargo

Compared to sedans and coupes, five-door hatchbacks like the Versa are, well, versatile. And while this little Nissan may indeed be more cargo-friendly than a Honda Civic Coupe, it has its limitations, such as a trunk opening that's a bit narrow and a low tailgate when it's raised – watch your head. The second-row split bench seatbacks don't fold flat and lack a tumble mechanism, serving to limit available space. A handy cargo cover attaches to the seatback with Velcro, making for quick and easy removal. The trunk is ample when the second-row bench is raised, but the combination of forward-angled rear glass and the reclined seatbacks may prove to be a problem when attempting to transport tall boxes. And for models with the optional Rockford-Fosgate sound system, a large subwoofer eats up valuable real estate on the left side of the cargo area.

Build Quality

As an economy car priced well below $20,000, shoppers considering the 2007 Nissan Versa would be right to expect materials commensurate with the figure on the sticker. That's an issue of materials quality, which we'll discuss on the next page – build quality is an entirely different issue, one focused mainly on how well the materials fit together, and should be top-notch regardless of price. Based on our tester, Nissan seems to understand the concept. Our Versa's interior was marked by tight, securely-fastened panels and pieces, with the only demerits doled out for a loose front center armrest cover and inconsistent gaps around the glovebox. No, it's not perfect, but we've seen much worse in luxury cars costing several times the Versa's price. Likewise, the exterior was largely free of issues, featuring consistent gaps as well as properly aligned body and fascia panels. Except for some orange peel texture in the paint, our Nissan Versa test car was a fine example of proper fit and finish.

Materials Quality

In addition to being well built, the Nissan Versa includes materials not entirely typical of an economy car. In particular, the 1.8 SL model offers upgraded cloth upholstery and padded plastics with matching grain patterns, a huge improvement over the hard panels found in not only other inexpensive vehicles, but pricier models, too. We were also pleased to find the leather on the shift knob and steering wheel to be soft, while the mesh headliner overhead imparted a sense of quality. Furthermore, there was a solid feel to the dials and controls. Cost-cutting can sometimes be easy to see, especially when a manufacturer is hell bent on keeping the price down, but such measures are hard to recognize in the Versa 1.8 SL. The 1.8 S, lacking the SL's upgraded interior materials, likely conforms to what buyers expect in an entry-level economy car.