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The Versa offers a solid
blend of ride and handling; power, refinement, and fuel economy; price and
interior quality; and interior space and comfort. Also, it is the only
subcompact to earn the highest NHTSA side-impact crash score. There are others
here that are more fun to drive, more comfortable, more fuel efficient, more
powerful, or most anything else, but the Versa succeeds by a lack of failure.
Rarely does it find itself outside of the top half of the group, and nowhere
does it come up completely short. If you are looking for a subcompact
hatchback, the Versa will have some measure of what you are looking for, no
matter what that is. It’s the most complete package of this group.
The Versa has a very
comfortable and absorbent ride for a subcompact, but it’s on the soft side.
This hurts the Versa’s agility compared to the best in the group, but it still
handles well overall. The steering could use more feel and is a bit light, but
it is responsive enough. Basically, the Versa handles competently but isn’t
much fun to drive. It is peppier than most of the others here, and has a bit
more power in reserve at highway speeds. Wind and road noises are
well-suppressed, and the engine is quiet except under acceleration. Gas
mileage doesn’t lead the group, but it’s very good overall. The CVT currently
found in the upper-level Versa is expected to replace this base model’s
4-speed automatic next year; that transmission improves both power and fuel
economy.
Inside, the Versa has
wide, well-shaped, and well-padded front seats with plenty of leg and head
space, though the cushions could be a bit longer. The rear seat is roomy and
well-shaped, though it could be higher.
 Interior quality is
excellent for this price point, with rich-feeling plastics and seat cloths and
nicely-fitting interior panels. Entry/exit is easy to both the front and rear.
Drivers sit very comfortably, but thick roof pillars interfere with rearward
visibility. There is a good amount of cargo space behind the rear seat, and
folding it opens up a large volume. But as in the Suzuki SX-4, the seat
doesn’t fold flush with the cargo floor.
The Versa reviewed here
was inexpensive at $14,915, but didn’t have either traction control or cruise
control. It did include antilock brakes, but note that the feature can be
difficult to find on base models.
Overall, the Versa
offers a blend of excellent comfort and refinement with decent power, fuel
economy, and driving dynamics, for a reasonable price. It’s the subcompact
hatchback that comes the closest to covering all the bases.
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