By Ed Kemper
edracers@aol.com
BOLD, MODERN DESIGN
The previous Nissan’s subcompact Versa 4 door sedan was very inexpensive, but was getting dated and lacked newer features. Its styling was becoming a little stale. With the 2020 model, all bets are off with a major restyling, a bigger body, and some powertrain upgrades.
Clearly, the most dramatic change is on the overall exterior design. Essentially, the styling clues come from the more upscale Nissan Altima and Maxima sedans. The grille has a similar heavy chrome look as its brethren and with much more modern looking wider headlights. The roofline is nicely integrated into the trunk area, and the sides have large sculpturing lines. Big taillights sweep around the trunk area and are on the sides of the rear fenders. The optional 17-inch alloy wheels help the overall look. In sum, this remake is a much better design than its previous look.
On the power front, the engine size stays the same with a four cylinder displacing1.6 liters, but the horsepower goes up to 122 horsepower from 109. And one of the few left in the automotive world these days is a manual 5-speed stick base transmission. And like the previous edition, a continuously variable gearless automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. The four speed automatic transmission has been dropped. Our test car with the CVT transmission, has a 35 mpg average fuel mileage rating. Overall dimensions are somewhat bigger with 1.6 inches added to the length, 1.8 inches added to the width, but height has been dropped 2.3 inches.
Even though the Versa is considered a subcompact because of its overall dimensions, the interior is quite roomy. The front seats have a fair amount of side bolstering and some contrasting colors on the side bolsters. Our upgraded SR model had an automatic air conditioning system. A seven inch colorful touch screen is in the center of the dash with, of course, a rear back up camera. Smart phone apps can be tied into the screen. Wisely, Nissan has placed dials and buttons below the screen for additional control. Another video screen takes up two thirds of the dash pod. With buttons on the steering wheel the screen can change the data (mpg, tire pressure, radio station, etc.) or add a tachometer. Other buttons on the steering wheel can control the radio sound level and station choice. Various levers can open the fuel door and the trunk.
Rear room is quite good considering the overall size of the car. Even the tall and big can fit in relative comfort. A storage pouch is found in the back of the passenger seat. Likewise the trunk has a fair amount of room. The seat backs are split 60/40 and are easily dropped for additional carrying capacity extra cargo.
On the road, Nissan has worked on safety issues on a number of fronts. Eight airbags and curtains are provided. Depending on the model such features as automatic braking pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert are available. And our upgraded test model having the key on you lets you in, and with a push of a button on the dash the powerplant starts. The engine is very quiet at normal speeds, and but can be heard when truly pressed. The CVT transmission by its very nature has no shifts as such, but shifting to the low gear slot raises the rpm for more power. The steering is very light and quick. Depending on the road condition, the ride is generally absorbing unless the road is really rough. Cornering is quite good with the lower body height. Performance is modest with a 0-60 time of about 10 seconds, but the good mileage makes up for that.
For this go around, Nissan has done a good job in the restyling of this subcompact sedan, and yet has maintained a useful and roomy interior for a subcompact car. Added to the quotation are a good number of safety features.
Tech Specs
Model: 5 passenger, subcompact car
Price: (base) $14,730, as tested $20,160.
Powertrain: 1.6 liter 4 cylinder, 122 horsepower; 5 speed manual transmission, continuously variable gearless automatic transmission (CVT) optional. Front wheel drive.
Performance: (CVT) 0-60: 10 seconds.
Fuel Mileage: (CVT) 35 mpg average, 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway.
Highbeams: Good looking make over. Still roomy for a subcompact. Lots of new standard features over previous edition.
Low Beam: Not exactly a rocket ship.
CAR COURTESY OF KING WINDWARD NISSAN