While the interior won't win any design awards, it's exceptionally roomy for this class; the tall roofline allows plenty of clearance for even the vertically lofty, while the rear passengers enjoy unexpected space to stretch their legs. The cabin's colour scheme is a bit sombre overall, but thoughtfully laid out with fairly straightforward ergonomics. And the large expansive greenhouse dispels any gloominess by letting in plenty of light.
Plastic? Yes, lots of it—but that means I'm free to enjoy my large double-cream java without guilt, as any spills will easily wipe off.
Although the navigation screen is small, it's an easy-to-use touch-screen affair—an unexpected boon in this segment—and comes bundled with Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and XM satellite radio.
Cloth covered seats are firm but comfy, and flipping down the 60/40-split rear ones increases the overall cargo space from 504 litres to 1,427. Although handy for carrying flats of perennials, bags of mulch… or saddles (try that in an Audi R8) they don't fold completely flat, resulting in an uneven load floor.
My tester is equipped with the larger 1.8L engine, rather than the 1.6L powering the sedan. With an output of 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque, the Versa is more than capable of brisk acceleration on the highway, but there's absolutely no temptation to flog it on the winding roads.
Its partnership with the CVT transmission is a match born of frugality rather than passion, and while Nissan manages to produce the least-offensive CVTs on the market, they're geared for comfort rather than fun.
And the Versa certainly is comfortable. It's rather softly sprung, and tends to lean somewhat if pushed hard into a corner, so it (and you) will be happier if you don't try to pretend it's a sports car. Some cars are about the journey rather than the destination; others, like the Versa, are about arriving comfortably hassle-free.
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| While the interior won't win any design awards, it's exceptionally roomy for this class. (Photo: Nissan) |
Plastic? Yes, lots of it—but that means I'm free to enjoy my large double-cream java without guilt, as any spills will easily wipe off.
Although the navigation screen is small, it's an easy-to-use touch-screen affair—an unexpected boon in this segment—and comes bundled with Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and XM satellite radio.
Cloth covered seats are firm but comfy, and flipping down the 60/40-split rear ones increases the overall cargo space from 504 litres to 1,427. Although handy for carrying flats of perennials, bags of mulch… or saddles (try that in an Audi R8) they don't fold completely flat, resulting in an uneven load floor.
My tester is equipped with the larger 1.8L engine, rather than the 1.6L powering the sedan. With an output of 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque, the Versa is more than capable of brisk acceleration on the highway, but there's absolutely no temptation to flog it on the winding roads.
Its partnership with the CVT transmission is a match born of frugality rather than passion, and while Nissan manages to produce the least-offensive CVTs on the market, they're geared for comfort rather than fun.
And the Versa certainly is comfortable. It's rather softly sprung, and tends to lean somewhat if pushed hard into a corner, so it (and you) will be happier if you don't try to pretend it's a sports car. Some cars are about the journey rather than the destination; others, like the Versa, are about arriving comfortably hassle-free.
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| My tester is equipped with the larger 1.8L engine, rather than the 1.6L powering the sedan, with an output of 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Nissan) |