* Click HERE to see a video on the Nissan Versa *
Remember the Micra? Don't.
The automotive scene was buzzing with diminutive vehicles almost 20 years ago. The choice of subcompacts was pretty wide: Chevrolet Sprint/Pontiac Firefly, Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon, Ford Festiva, Hyundai Excel, Subaru Justy, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Tercel and, of course, the Nissan Micra.
Nissan pulled the plug on the Micra after the 1991 model year, as subcompact sales dwindled over the years in favour of trucks and SUVs. In 2003, only a few manufacturers still offered microcars in their model line-up: Hyundai's Accent, Kia's Rio and Toyota's Echo.
Four years later, there are now ten subcompact models to choose from, including the smart fortwo. What happened? Gas prices rose, truck and SUV sales went down, subcompact sales went up.
Enter the Versa, Nissan's return to the smallest vehicle category after a 16-year hiatus. It should surprise no one that it's better than the Micra in just about every way, but how does it measure up to the competition?
First off, if the Versa looks bigger than its rivals, it's because it is; it's slightly bigger in just about every dimension. It's also got a bigger engine: 1.8 litres and 122 horsepower, more than any other subcompact, and about double of what the old Micra used to offer.
My test car is equipped with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission, which will equip virtually all of the company's vehicles in a few years. It saps up a little of the engine's power, but works well in normal driving conditions. Driving with a CVT takes a little getting used to; stomp the gas pedal on the highway in the Versa, and the tach needle buries itself at 6,000 RPM.
Usually, you'd expect an upshift and another climb up the RPMs, but not with a CVT. This tranny keeps the engine in its power peak until you lift off the throttle. The bottom line is that you don't feel like you're accelerating, but take a look at the speedometer, and you're going 140. It gets a little noisy, though, when the engine is at full throttle. Sporty driving is not ideal with this CVT, compared with the 5-speed manual, but for everyday
driving, it's fine. I got a decent, if not extraordinary, fuel consumption average of 9.5 L/100 km.
The Versa is nimble, as a small car should be, but it drives like a bigger car, thanks to its 2,600-mm (102.4 in) wheelbase. The handling and ride of the car impressed many, as the suspension is very composed and smooth on even the roughest surfaces. Spirited driving is also rewarding, as for as econoboxes go. However, the Versa doesn't feel as go-kart like as the Honda Fit, so its fun-to-drive quotient is a tick lower.
Remember the Micra? Don't.
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
Nissan pulled the plug on the Micra after the 1991 model year, as subcompact sales dwindled over the years in favour of trucks and SUVs. In 2003, only a few manufacturers still offered microcars in their model line-up: Hyundai's Accent, Kia's Rio and Toyota's Echo.
Four years later, there are now ten subcompact models to choose from, including the smart fortwo. What happened? Gas prices rose, truck and SUV sales went down, subcompact sales went up.
Enter the Versa, Nissan's return to the smallest vehicle category after a 16-year hiatus. It should surprise no one that it's better than the Micra in just about every way, but how does it measure up to the competition?
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
My test car is equipped with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission, which will equip virtually all of the company's vehicles in a few years. It saps up a little of the engine's power, but works well in normal driving conditions. Driving with a CVT takes a little getting used to; stomp the gas pedal on the highway in the Versa, and the tach needle buries itself at 6,000 RPM.
Usually, you'd expect an upshift and another climb up the RPMs, but not with a CVT. This tranny keeps the engine in its power peak until you lift off the throttle. The bottom line is that you don't feel like you're accelerating, but take a look at the speedometer, and you're going 140. It gets a little noisy, though, when the engine is at full throttle. Sporty driving is not ideal with this CVT, compared with the 5-speed manual, but for everyday
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The Versa is nimble, as a small car should be, but it drives like a bigger car, thanks to its 2,600-mm (102.4 in) wheelbase. The handling and ride of the car impressed many, as the suspension is very composed and smooth on even the roughest surfaces. Spirited driving is also rewarding, as for as econoboxes go. However, the Versa doesn't feel as go-kart like as the Honda Fit, so its fun-to-drive quotient is a tick lower.