2011 Nissan Versa : Review and Price
2011 Nissan Versa
The newest 2011 Nissan Versa is the best car for you if you value roominess and refinement over rakish build in your affordable shrimp sedan or hatchback. The 2011 Nissan Versa is largely a carryover from the 2010 Nissan Versa, though the principal safety advantage of an antilock braking system (ABS) becomes standard instead of optional on more models. The 2011 Versa will continue as a cleverly packaged five-passenger auto that competes with smaller subcompact cars on brand but with larger compact cars for passenger and cargo room. It’ll remain Nissan’s smallest and least expensive model until the 2012 Nissan Micra arrives early in 2011. Versa was introduced for model-year 2007 and is on hasten for a fleshy redesign as the 2013 Nissan Versa.
Should you take a 2011 Nissan Versa or wait for the 2012 Nissan Versa? itsy-bitsy reason to wait. The 2012 Versa isn’t likely to receive compelling changes, though prices are agreeable to undergo the almost inevitable annual increases; depending on model, they rose a modest $130-$230 from 2010-2011, for example. Nissan dealers will discount 2012 Versas to obvious inventory ase the redesigned 2013 model approaches. But buying a 2011 means your Versa won’t scrutinize outdated as fast as would a 2012, and you’ll probably like more choice in color and equipment throughout the model year.
2011 Nissan Versa New Look
Styling: The 2011 Nissan Versa is a visual duplicate of the 2010 Nissan Versa, carrying over a freshening to grille, front fascia, and wheels. That midcycle revamp didn’t change Versa’s overall shape or size and the 2011 Versa continues as a four-door hatchback and a four-door sedan. Both have stout, arched roofs that succor create them uncommonly roomy for compact cars. Evidence of Versa buyers’ splendid taste is that 75 percent settle the hatchback. Its heroic architectural angles manufacture a far cooler-looking car than the dumpy sedan. And they pay off in an impressive 50.4 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats folded and 18 cubic feet with them in location. The sedan’s trunk has 13.8 cubic feet, which is bigger than most subcompacts’. Versa rides a well-engineered platform and has front-wheel drive, which promotes predictable handling and obliging wet-weather traction by putting the weight of the engine over the tires that propel the car. A key to its interior roominess is a relatively long wheelbase. Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles and key to a vehicle’s cabin dwelling. Versa’s 102.4-inch span is more akin to that of compact cars such as the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla than to subcompacts such as the 2011 Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris. As an aside, Nissan slices some 10 inches from Versa’s wheelbase, slaps on a shoe-box-shaped body, and sells the result as the 2011 Nissan Cube. Nissan says about 60 percent of Versa buyers are married and tend to be slightly older and rep a bit more than Cube’s audience of single, trend-chasing 20-somethings.
Mechanical: Versa isn’t rapid, but it’s agile and still on the road and soaks up bumps exceptionally well for a miniature car. The 2011 Versa returns with two four-cylinder engines. The 1.6-liter has 107 horsepower and is the basis for the two entry-level models: the 2011 Versa 1.6 injurious model and the 2011 Versa 1.6. Both these are sedans and the 1.6 atrocious is the stripper Nissan pitches as one of America’s lowest-priced cars. The 2011 Versa 1.8 S and 1.8 SL models advance in both sedan and hatchback obtain. They consume a 122-horsepower 1.8-liter. The 2011 Versa 1.6 depraved sedan comes only with a five-speed manual transmission. All other 2011 Versas — except the top-line 1.8 SL hatchback — derive a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The 2011 Versa 1.8 SL hatchback comes only with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), essentially an automatic that replaces gears with belts and provides a rheostat-like delivery of power. Versa’s simple suspension perform is typical of that found on subcompact cars, as is Nissan’s choice to fit it with front-disc and rear-drum brakes. Such cost-conscious engineering distinguishes Versa from the general urge of compact cars, which tend to have a more sophisticated suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Yet gleaming chassis tuning gives Versa responsive and confident handling and helps it gain bumps better than many larger, heavier cars. Nissan’s been parsimonious over the years with safety features such as ABS to serve control in emergency stops and traction and antiskid systems to abet Versa secure off the line and avoid sideways slides. But the 2011 Versa is the most proper yet with these technologies. ABS is newly standard on the 1.8 S, which means it’s now included in the starting ticket of every 2011 Versa except the 1.8 wrong model, where it’s a reasonable $250 option. Traction control and Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) antiskid system are standard on the 1.8 SL models and optional on the 1.8 S versions but remain unavailable on the 1.6 injurious and 1.6 sedans.
Features: The 2011 Versa continues is affordable transportation partly because features such as power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, and waft control are standard only on the top-line 1.8 SL sedan and hatchback. Those features are optional on the 2011 Versa 1.8 S models and unavailable on 1.6 models. A power moonroof is an option uncommon to the 2011 Versa 1.8 SL hatchback. And 1.8 SL models in both body styles are the only 2011 Versas eligible for the navigation/satellite package, which includes a 5-inch LCD touch shroud monitor and subscription-based XM satellite radio with real-time traffic information. Bluetooth cell-phone connectivity is portion of options packages for 1.8 SL models, packages that also include a leather-wrapped steering wheel with phone and audio controls. Leather upholstery is unavailable on any 2011 Versa. The 1.6 dismal and 1.6 S sedans are among the few fresh cars that don’t approach with a radio. The 1.8 S models have a four-speaker, single-CD stereo with auxiliary MP3 input while 1.8 SL models secure s six-speaker unit with an in-dash six-CD changer and a USB interface for iPods. Height adjustment for the driver’s seat remains strange to 1.8 SL models. Versa’s 2011 hatchbacks and 1.8 S and 1.8 SL sedans have a 60/40 split folding rear seatback. The Versa 1.6 disagreeable model comes with 14-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. Versa 1.8 S and 1.8 SL models advance with 15-inch wheels; they’re alloys on the SLs. Optional only on the top-of-the-line 2011 Versa 1.8 SL hatchback are 16-inch alloy wheels.
2011 Nissan Versa Prices
Base-price range for the 2011 Nissan Versa is $10,740-$17,650. This range is in line with subcompact cars physically smaller than the Versa, such as the 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact. Compact cars similar in size to the Versa – the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla, for example – open around $16,000. (contemptible prices sited in this review do not include options but do factor in the manufacturer’s destination fee; Nissan’s fee for the 2011 Versa is $750.)
At $9,990 without the destination charge, Nissan is justified in touting the 2011 Versa 1.6 gross sedan as one of the lowest-priced current cars sold in the U.S.; only the least expensive Hyundai Accent two-door hatchback rivals it for the title. The starting designate of the 2011 Versa 1.6 harmful sedan in fact hasn’t changed since the car was introduced for model year 2009, though the destination fee has climbed slightly.
The 2011 Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan starts at $11,990 with manual transmission and $12,990 with automatic. animated up the sedan line, the 2011 Versa 1.8 S sedan has a bad label of $14,320 with manual transmission, $15,320 with automatic.
The best value in the Versa line is the 1.8 S hatchback. It’s priced from $14,270 with manual transmission and from $15,270 with automatic. Add the $980 Power Plus option package (power windows with driver-side auto up/down, power locks, remote keyless entry, a glovebox light, rear design pockets, padded door armrests, and soar control), and you have versatile, economical transportation at a very qualified imprint.
Go all out and a 2011 Versa 1.8 SL hatchback with the CVT starts at $17,650. It comes with ABS, a height-adjustable driver seat, center console, waft control, power windows, locks, and mirrors, alloy wheels, remote keyless entry and pushbutton starting. Also included at that mark are the six-disc in-dash CD audio system, Bluetooth wireless cell-phone link, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power sunroof, and the subwoofer/satellite-radio sound system.
Among key 2011 Versa options, the navigation/satellite radio package option for the 1.8 SL models is a reasonable $610, the power moonroof for the 1.8 SL hatchback is $600, and the safety-enhancing VDC package for 1.8 S models is $370.
2011 Nissan Versa Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is a elated legend for the 2011 Versa, with every model, regardless of engine or transmission rated over 30 mpg on the highway. Versa’s enjoyed this sort of economy since its introduction and for a time was among the most frugal cars its size. However, rivals introduced since model-year 2007 increasingly match Versa for fuel economy, evidence of advancing technology and the premium automakers status on gas mileage.
The 2011 Nissan Versa sedan with the 1.6-liter engine is rated at 26/34 mpg city/highway with the five-speed manual transmission and 26/33 with the four-speed automatic.
The 2011 Nissan Versa sedan and hatchback with the 1.8-liter engine is rated at 26/31 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, 24/32 with the four-speed automatic, and 27/33 with the CVT.
2011 Nissan Versa Rivals
Ford Fiesta: A 2011 model unique to the U.S. by design of Ford’s global engineering team and brimming with personality. Offered in four-door sedan and four-door hatchback do, Fiesta is smaller than Versa inside and out – especially in rear-seat and cargo room. But its flamboyant do, worthy infotainment tech, serene road manners, and quality feel will change what Americans judge of domestic-brand subcompacts. Offered initially with a 120-horsepower four-cylinder but a livelier turbo four is in the pipeline. Fuel economy is an impressive 29/38 mpg with manual transmission, 30/40 with automatic. The 2011 Fiesta sedan starts at $13,995, the hatchback at $15,795, but $20,000 isn’t hard to come if you option either with the most tempting goodies. .
Honda Fit: An alternative to the Versa hatchback, this shrimp wagon has passenger spot similar to the Nissan’s but boasts more cargo volume, a sportier character, and more advanced features, such as a navigation system with insist recognition. Fit isn’t as soft-riding or still as the Versa, however, and detestable prices are higher, too, roughly in the $15,500-$16,500 range. Horsepower is impartial 117, but fuel economy is 27/33 mpg with manual transmission, 28/35 with automatic. Fit won’t rep any major changes until model-year 2014 or so.
Kia Soul: This South Korean hatchback broke from the gate posthaste upon its model-year 2010 introduction. Buyers attracted by the cute styling might over time gather themselves disappointed by a level of refinement and handling that quite doesn’t measure up to Versa’s. Soul’s execrable prices commence around $14,000 for a special stripper model, but launch in earnest at honest under $16,000 for mainstream versions. Horsepower choices are 122 and 142, fuel economy ranges from 24/30 to 26/31.
2011 Nissan Versa Release Date
The 2011 Versa went on sale in June 2010.
What’s next for the Nissan Versa
The styling and features of the 2011 Versa will carry this Nissan to its next-generation redesign, likely arriving in late-summer 2012 as a 2013 model. Four-door sedan and four-door hatchback body styles ought to con0tinue. Front-wheel drive and four-cylinder engines will return, as well. Nissan probably won’t acquire Versa’s body noticeably longer, but it could mount it on a slightly longer wheelbase to increase passenger leg room. Nissan would be wise to preserve Versa’s good ceiling height to support head room. The most pressing need is for slightly more width to alleviate the hint of hip and shoulder squeeze in the unusual model.
French automaker Renault is a Nissan corporate partner, and industry speculation suggests Nissan may be considering adoption of a Renault chassis for the next-generation Versa. Renault’s recently revamped Megane hatchback has a body that’s as long as today’s Versa hatchback, and it rides a 2-inch-longer wheelbase. Tempering this concept is the high cost associated with the Megane’s advanced chassis build. That leaves a development of Versa’s original Japanese-derived platform a more-cost-efficient prospect approach 2013.
As for alternative-power possibilities, Nissan has committed to full-electric vehicles as a design to leap frog the gas-electric hybrid leadership of Honda and Toyota. That opens the possibility the next-generation Versa could offer a full-electric model, though Nissan plans to inaugurate selling the Versa-sized all-electric Leaf in slack 2010. Nissan and Renault both offer strong, efficient four-cylinder diesel engines in overseas markets, and a diesel Versa would be an spicy prospect if Nissan can do an economic case for it.
Category: Newest Car 2011, Nissan
