From the 2011 New York Auto Show, Cars.com's Mike Hanley takes a look at the 2012 Nissan Versa.
Transcript
(upbeat rock music) <v Announcer>Cars.com Auto Review. Hi, I'm Mike Hanley with cars.com. We're here at the New York Auto Show, checking out the redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa sedan.
It's Nissan's smallest and lowest-cost model, has a starting price now of $10,990, and despite its small size, it's actually pretty roomy inside. The Versa's exterior has been completely redesigned for 2012, including a new grill, new headlights, new taillight and rear, but overall, it's still a pretty forgettable-looking car. It doesn't really strike you that much. If you're looking for something more attractive in this space and more distinctive, a model like the Ford Fiesta is probably the way to go. The Versa's 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is relatively efficient. It's rated at 30 miles per gallon in the city, 37 on the highway, but as you might expect from a car that costs less than $11,000, you're not going to get an especially high-grade cabin in here. Materials are decent enough, but they aren't stand-out by any means. What's nice though, is that there's pretty good room in the front seat for a taller driver like myself. The roominess continues to the Versa's backseat. There's a ton of leg room in here for a subcompact car. It's actually roomier then you get in some mid-sized cars' backseat, and headroom is decent too, so you're really not sacrificing all that much in terms of space by choosing a model like this. The Versa doesn't offer a lot of pizzazz and its interior isn't the most refined, but that's not the point with this car. The point is affordable, efficient transportation, and on that front, it comes through. <v Announcer>For more car-related news, go to cars.com or our blog, kickingtires.net.
