2007 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Road Test (Video Clip)

(Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

Sit inside, and you'll instantly be overwhelmed by space. At this year's Toronto Auto Show, I sat in the Versa and then in the 2007 Sentra, and I'd swear that the Versa is roomier. You can drive with a cowboy hat on your head. Proof that Nissan maximized interior space within a small vehicle is apparent with the front seats; they are pressed against the doors, and the controls to adjust them are on the inside, next to the parking brake. I wondered why the steering wheel felt so far away while driving, but I realized that the footwell is not very deep. In the rear, three adults will rub shoulders but will otherwise have sufficient room.

Also included in this Versa is the Technology Package, which includes Bluetooth connectivity for your cell phone and is very easy to configure, a Rockford Fosgate 280-watt sound system with 6-CD changer and MP3 playback, 6 great-sounding speakers and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. You could load up a half-dozen MP3-filled CDs and drive all the way down to your Versa's birthplace in Mexico without hearing the same song twice. Could you imagine having this much convenience in a subcompact?

The overall appearance of the Versa is pleasing. It has the typical modern subcompact shape, being narrow but tall. The exterior styling seemed to please everyone, highlighted by standard 15-inch wheels on all models. Inside, Nissan chose good-quality materials for the dashboard and

(Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

instruments. All is within easy reach and a no-brainer to use. Just like in the Honda Fit, you'll have a hard time finding any cost-cutting measures.

This Versa 1.8 SL has a base price of $17,098, and includes the Xtronic transmission ($1,300) and the Technology Package ($1,000), for a grand total of $19,398. That's creeping into Sentra pricing territory, but you get a very well-equipped little car that has good power, good interior space and good looks. One thing the Micra had was bulletproof reliability, and let's hope the Versa will be just as solid.

Now, does this little Nissan stand out in the now-crowded subcompact class? For its sheer size and $14,498 starting price, yes. For the rest, it's hard to tell, since they're all very good choices. A comparison test is in order.

What I like:
Interior space
Good handling
Good looks, inside and out

What I don't like:
A little noisy at full throttle
Fuel consumption higher than
 some competitors
Arms-stretched-out driving position