2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback Review
The 2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback fills those wants fairly well. Accessible in both sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, the Versa provides a surprising amount of interior space inside of its little, unassuming exterior. The 2010 version was named a “Best Buy” by Consumer’s Digest, along with a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In basic sedan form, it’s fairly Spartan, but the up-level sedan and hatchback models not only give all you truly want inside the way of comfort, performance, and safety, they could be had with almost all of the convenience possibilities that had been restricted to the luxury class not too long ago. So it could possibly be “all you want” as well as “all you need”.
After typical mid-product cycle changes for model year 2010 — a minor exterior styling refresh, interior material revisions, and upgraded standard equipment levels — the Versa enters 2011 with couple of adjustments. Which is no cause for concern as no changes are needed. If the base-model sedan is no longer the least-expensive new auto sold within the country, it is still close. And if that one, the 1.6, is often a mite too basic for your wants, the sedan is also offered in 1.8S and 1.8SL trim levels. The hatchback is positioned a bit greater on the scale, in 1.8S and SL trim only.
That 1.6 or 1.8 refers to the engine size, either 1.6 or 1.8 liters of four-cylinder, with, respectively, 107 or 122 horsepower. Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive obviously, with transmissions which includes five- or six-speed manual, four-speed automatic, or Nissan’s XtronicT electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (CVT) depending on model.
I drove a Versa 1.6 sedan a couple of years ago. It was only slightly above the then cheapest-in-the-country 1.6 Base sedan, adding air conditioning to that car’s roll-up windows, manual-everything, no audio (dealer-installed alternative) specification. Simple transportation in sheet metal, but functional, honest, affordable along with an excellent value.
This week I have the other end of the versatile Nissan Versa spectrum, a 1.8 SL hatchback having a couple of option packages that give it goodies that had been the exclusive province of the luxury level only a couple of years ago. To its regular 122-hp 1.8-liter engine and CVT are added the Premium Package, with Nissan’s Intelligent KeyT keyless fob, Bluetooth? phone connectivity, alloy wheels, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and auxiliary audio controls, a semi-touch screen navigation program and XM? satellite radio, along with a (power, of course) moonroof. The SL already has power windows and door locks; both it along with the S have power outside mirrors. That does add a bit to the modest $16,900 base, but at $19,840 (MSRP) it becomes an under $20,000 semi-luxury automobile. With an exceptional amount of comfy and hatchback-versatile interior for its modest and easily-parkable exterior and sufficient power from its torquey engine and smooth CVT to deal with even high-speed traffic on mountain highways, the 2011 Nissan Versa SL satisfies all of your wants, and even your wants.
APPEARANCE: Being as it’s the baby of the Nissan family, the Versa’s neotenous looks are no surprise. It has the slightly ungainly proportions of a baby, kitten, or puppy, mostly on account of its extra-large and extra-high passenger cabin and modest hood. The base of the highly-sloped windshield is virtually at the front axle line, and also the major styling cues, particularly on the hatchback, are a mix of Nissan sedan and crossover. The rounded hood, chamfered at its edges, and grille shape remind me of an early Murano, with some historic Maxima added. The Versa is wider than some tiny Japanese cars, and last year’s addition to the hatchback of sporty lower touches all around, along with a visor spoiler at the trailing edge of the roof — type of a hint of “aero kit” — support to visually lower it. It’s regular hatchback at the rear, having a large, heated backlight with wiper and enormous taillights. The SL gets alloy wheels.
COMFORT: If the Versa’s external proportions are not specifically svelte, they do benefit interior space. The long 102.4-inch wheelbase, 66.7-inch width, and 60.4-inch height mean considerable interior space for its 169.1-inch length, seven inches less than the sedan’s. And also the four-door-plus-hatch body indicates simple access to that interior, regardless of whether for passengers or cargo. Throughout my week with the SL hatch, I saw a whole lot of Versas, and a lot more hatchbacks than sedans. Are Americans finally understanding the versatility and usefulness of a hatchback? Believe micro-crossover here. I suspect that most of the Versas I did see were not outfitted to my test car’s premium level, but regardless of alternatives, the SL provides an excellent high-eyepoint seating position and great visibility (tiny front quarter windows support there), an effortlessly reconfigured interior having a 60/40 split folding rear seat, and regular power windows, doors, and mirrors. Upholstery is really a grippy cloth, along with the driver’s seat cushion is height-adjustable. Manually, of course. Headroom is not going to be a problem. There’s far more than ample rear seat room and comfort for two, with the usual contouring producing the center position very best for short folks and short times. Cargo space is very good with the rear seat in location and even better with it folded. A space-saver spare is found under the cargo floor.
SAFETY: All Nissan Versa models have six standard airbags — dual stage front, front-seat side, and full-length head curtain — zone-body construction with front and rear crumple zones, side-guard door beams, and a tire-pressure monitoring program. Antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) are offered for all models, and regular within the SL along with Brake Assist, electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and Vehicle Dynamic Control systems.
RIDE AND HANDLING: As is typical in the compact/subcompact class, the Versa has MacPherson struts within the front and a torsion-beam axle in the rear. It’s tuned softly, for comfort on poor road surfaces, but permits responsive handling with small body roll in standard driving. The electrically-assisted power steering is not over-assisted, and feels appropriate, not vague as could be a problem with front-wheel drive cars. The Versa SL just isn’t sporty within the manner of a Sentra SE-R or 370Z, but it is pleasant to drive, and far more comfortable and quiet than a lot of modest cars.
PERFORMANCE: Throughout my time with the Versa SL I had a trip over a mountain highway with steep grades and sharp curves. That road locations a premium on passing power, as trucks doing maybe 30 mph tend to constrict at least one of two lanes in either direction. It might be life in the slow lane in a tiny vehicle, too, but not within the Versa. The “big block” 1.8-liter engine, an aluminum alloy 16-valve twincam four, makes 122 horsepower (at 5200 rpm) and 127 lb-ft of torque (at 4800 rpm), and inside the SL hatch is matched to the Xtronic CVT. Good low-rpm torque ensures quick acceleration at lower speeds, as well as the CVT keeps engine speed optimum for efficiency and power. Because you’ll find no discrete gears, there is no shifting, and you can’t get any smoother than that. If quick acceleration is desired, or required, just put pedal to floor. A 9-second 0-60 time makes it competitive with anything within the little, cost-effective vehicle class, and any smaller crossover. A real-world 31mpg was my average for the week.
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