Long-Term Road Tests
2007 Nissan Versa SL
April 4, 2008
Our long-term 2007 Nissan Versa SL has left our garage. In its year of service, the Versa struggled mightily to edge past the 16,000 mile mark (and win us over). When it wasn't parked in our garage, the Versa was relegated mostly to city driving, resulting in a final fuel economy average of 26.7 mpg, which is consistent with the EPA's 2008 city estimate of 26 mpg.
Read the Versa's Long-Term Wrap Up
During its year, we praised its feature content, compared it to the Honda Fit (a lot), did plenty of complaining about the wonky shifter, had mixed feelings (good, bad)about the keyless ignition, tried to give it a shot on back roads, and claimed it was better than a Porsche 911 Targa...
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- Posted by: JRiz April 4, 2008, 8:39 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
December 12, 2007
I recently completed a 600-mile road trip with the Long-Term Nissan Versa. The interior is extremely roomy, and the seats are very comfortable, even after 200 miles of driving. I'm 6'3", so interior comfort is something I don't often find in a compact car. One minor irritation is the placement of the cup holders, which are placed in such a way that I had to lean forward and reach down every time I wanted to hae a sip of coffee...
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- Posted by: Karl Brauer December 12, 2007, 10:40 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
December 4, 2007
The subject of which subcompact is superior among the two in our long-term fleet, the Nissan Versa and the Honda Fit Sport, has been up for considerable debate. I have always found myself in the Fit camp. It's got sporty looks and its fold-flat seats make the most of a very small car. The Versa's kinda ugly, the cloth seats don't do it any favors, and they don't fold flat...
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- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd December 4, 2007, 5:51 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
November 26, 2007
This Thanksgiving weekend, to my amazement, the Nissan Versa was able to haul an 800 pound turkey to my in-law's house.
Not really....but on the way back from dinner (as the ODO hit 15,000 miles...) my wife and I were reminicing about her '95 Nissan Sentra that she owned for over 7 years. I hated that car. The janky clutch, the tinny feeling when you shut a door, the A/C working intermittantly , and leaky weatherstripping all drove me nuts...
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- Posted by: November 26, 2007, 12:04 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
November 8, 2007
When I asked for a car to drive to San Francisco last week I was told to "take one for the team," drive the 2007 Versa and try to get over 15,000 miles on it. You see, the Versa isn't as popular as, say, the Honda Fit which is now approaching 20,000 miles.
I really didn't mind driving the Versa; I drove it to Phoenix last year and was comfortable though unstimulated. On this trip I got it up to 14,566 miles and became reacquainted with this capable little car...
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- Posted by: Philip Reed November 8, 2007, 2:29 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
October 23, 2007
Suddenly I don't know how to drive stick. At least that's what it feels like in our 2007 Nissan Versa. I stall the car, lurch forward in 1st EVERY time and even lurch upshifting from 2nd to 3rd. What's the deal?..
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla October 23, 2007, 12:48 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
October 11, 2007
Since this is my first ever blog entry, I want it to be positive and happy. No negativity, just a pleasant recap of the car I had the pleasure of spending a three day weekend driving around.
I put a lot of miles on our Nissan Versa over the extended weekend, most of them being highway miles. I found the seats comfortable, the ergonomics agreeable and the ride relaxed...
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- Posted by: Kurt Niebuhr October 11, 2007, 11:25 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
October 1, 2007
I looked at the Versa and the first thing I thought was that all my camping gear might be a challenge for the Versa. You might think I'm nuts, but when you're car camping you seem to bring a ton of stuff: tents, bags, blankets, coolers, chairs, stoves, pots and pans. It adds up quickly!
Since there was only two of us this time, I thought I could fit all our gear in without much trouble...
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- Posted by: October 1, 2007, 11:25 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
September 10, 2007
The four of us took he 2007 Nissan Versa out to see the tall ships at Dana Point harbor. I couldn't park close enough to pose the Nissan near one, so you'll have to imagine masts, sails and a general pirate-y atmosphere yourself.
I'd always thought of the Versa as a smooth-riding machine. It doesn't crash over bumps and it handles LA freeway joints easily...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds September 10, 2007, 8:34 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 27, 2007
The 2007 Nissan Versa was a pleasant companion this weekend. Not quite fun, but pleasant.
Didn't do very much -- a trip into Hollywood, a couple of runs to the grocery store. Its compact size made parking a no-brainer, which I appreciated...
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- Posted by: Warren Clarke August 27, 2007, 12:21 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 23, 2007
Last week, our little Versa finally made it to Santa Monica Nissan for a slightly belated 7,500 mile service appointment. (Hey, sometimes even the pros fall behind!) Included in the service was an oil change and a tire rotation. They also inspected the exhaust, steering, clutch, fluids, and brakes.
Cleared and headed back home with a clean bill of health in just a few hours, the visit cost us $89.95.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 10,107 miles...
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- Posted by: Mike Magrath August 23, 2007, 5:34 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
I spent a fair amount in our long-term Nissan Versa last night. I used to not really care for the Versa, and while I suppose familiarity typically breeds contempt, I'm happy that it's quite the opposite in the Versa. I like the high-revving peppy little engine, and the shifter and I have become fast friends. It's not wildly powerful like my lover the Infiniti G35 Sport, but it's, dare I say, zippy?..
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- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd August 23, 2007, 11:57 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 16, 2007
I put another 100 miles or so on our long-term 2007 Nissan Versa SL yesterday, and it certainly met my needs. Its absorbent suspension soaked up the scored surface of the 101 freeway -- only the gnarliest bits clattered into the cabin. And having an extra overdrive gear (both 5th and 6th are O/D on this 6-speed) keeps the engine fairly calm at 75-80 mph.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches August 16, 2007, 5:51 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 14, 2007
On the sheep-wolf continuum, I was tending toward wolf today -- and so it was that I found myself on California Highway 33 in a 2007 Nissan Versa. For non-Californianized readers, this secondary road runs up the center of the state, and the southern section, which cuts through the Los Padres National Forest, is twisty. Very popular with sport bikes...
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- Posted by: Erin Riches August 14, 2007, 10:44 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 13, 2007
I was cruising the strip in the Versa looking for Mustang GTs to humiliate when I noticed that the low tire pressure warning symbol came on. It's that yellow icon in the middle of the speedo that looks like the letter W -- it's actually a cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point in it. So we checked the tires and found the right front was low -- 28 pounds versus the 33 it's supposed to be. That's cold pressure spec -- the car had sat for a few hours in the garage when we checked them.
We inspected the tire and saw nothing, the tread was clean and free of mean-spirited nail- and screw-heads. Checking the other three tires revealed that they were all at 30 pounds. So we aired 'em up to 33 and a few days later nothing's changed, so no worries.
Let this serve as a reminder to all of you in Blog land -- you should check your tire pressure even if your car has a rudimentary TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) as our Versa does, because they typically don't alert you unless a tire is five pounds or so low. And as you all know, low tire pressure can degrade handling and cause the tire to heat up (due to the increased rolling resistance and hence friction) -- not good for safety. Also, maintaining the specified pressure optimizes fuel efficiency.
Okay, now everyone put that coffee down, get off eBay and check your tires!
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 10,195 miles.
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- Posted by: johnnyturbo August 13, 2007, 1:12 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 9, 2007
I've had plenty to say about our long-term Nissan Versa's sleepy driving demeanor thus far, but last night I took note of how many conveniences it offers -- and there are many. The most significant of all is the seating position: It's not perfect, mind you, as there's definitely a propped-up sensation, but it's pretty easy to just get in this car and drive. The shape of the seat, its position relative to the wheel and the quantity of adjustments are all a little better than in our Honda Fit.
Then, there's the matter of power accessories...
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- Posted by: Erin Riches August 9, 2007, 10:22 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 6, 2007
On Friday night when I was moving the Versa, my ride for the weekend, to a location closer to the elevators near my gym in our office building's parking garage (ironic, huh?), I noticed and felt a thump-thump-thump emanating from the floor of the driver footwell. "Great!" I thought, "the Versa is broken and just in time for the weekend."
I wasn't doing anything crazy with the clutch or brakes. I think I was just in 1st gear, coasting into a parking spot. It kinda reminded me of the problem we had with our 2002 Mini...
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla August 6, 2007, 11:48 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
August 1, 2007
Did the designers of the 2007 Nissan Versa expect some unexpected underwater mishap? The thing's got portholes.
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- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd August 1, 2007, 11:07 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
July 18, 2007
That's our Nissan Versa SL on the right. It's most assuredly the "Patty" in this duet with its flashy alloy wheels and cool-kid six-speed gearbox. Although a hotdog doesn't make our Versa lose control, an overzealous right-hander into the Wienerschnitzel does tax its soft suspension.
On the left, "Cathy" is a base Versa S hatchback with frumpy wheel covers, unassuming gray upholstery and an automatic transmission...
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- Posted by: Erin Riches July 18, 2007, 10:43 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
July 13, 2007
No not really. But I bet it got your attention.
After spending a day and change driving a Porsche 911 Targa 4S, I switched into our long-term Nissan Versa. I'm going to toot my own horn here and say a lesser man may have committed hari-kari right there in the parking lot. (Actually, I was thinking about it, but there's never a samurai sword around when you need one). Driving these two cars back to back is like looking at a Chihuahua and a St. Bernhard and wondering, "how are these things part of the same species?" The change in clutch alone had me herking and jerking in the Versa like a 15 year old at driver's ed.
Still, in an effort to look on the bright side of life, I decided to come up with the Top 10 Ways in which the Nissan Versa is better than a Porsche 911 Targa. Should prove useful if you ever find yourself in a similar predicament.
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- Posted by: JRiz July 13, 2007, 10:55 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
July 11, 2007
I know a lot of editors here have talked about the keyless entry, the lock/unlock buttons on the door handle and the key fob, but here's my two cents:
Yesterday I was in a mad rush to get to my doctor appointment, go back across town to pick-up two packages at my house, then over to the UPS store to send them out and then back over to the art supply store to pick up tubes to store a couple of prints I'm taking with me on a flight this Friday. I have no time to do it any other day due to work and personal commitments so I had to do it all right then. And just to make it interesting, I had to do all of this in a two-hour window. There was lots of driving around town to be done and if you don't know what LA traffic is like, allow me to elaborate...
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- Posted by: July 11, 2007, 11:20 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
July 9, 2007
The Versa's HVAC interface won't exactly make your pulse race with its stunning good looks. Yes, it's very much on the plain side. It's almost kind of archaic, with its supersized dials and homely plastic levers.
But on a hot Los Angeles weekend, I really appreciated its simplicity...
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- Posted by: Warren Clarke July 9, 2007, 1:57 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
June 27, 2007
Yes, we've mentioned it once before. But at the risk of being redundant, I have to reiterate how cool the Nissan Versa's keyless entry is. Press a neat little button on the car's handle, and you're able to open its door -- without having to trouble yourself with taking the key fob from your pocket.
I hate having to fumble for a key fob...
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- Posted by: Warren Clarke June 27, 2007, 12:11 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
June 22, 2007
One of my new pet peeves is a great sounding car stereo with an overly complicated user interface. So, it was refreshing to find a simple and easy to use head unit on the Versa.
It may not have all the options that more complicated systems have, but it has everything that most people need. Our Versa's stereo includes CD, AM/FM and an auxiliary input jack...
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- Posted by: Mike Schmidt June 22, 2007, 3:04 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
June 18, 2007
I'm not much of a fan of the Nissan Versa, but for a subcompact, I like the fact that it has keyless ignition. It's kind of a fancy feature not typically found in low-end cars. I recently drove the brand-new BMW 535i and was impressed by its simple keyless lock/unlock; place your hand in the handle to unlock it and then touch the outside of the handle to lock it. Now that's keyless...
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- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd June 18, 2007, 4:33 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
June 11, 2007
I've come to think of the Versa the way I think of an appliance, like, say, the washing machine in my apartment building. I certainly appreciate my building's washing machine; it serves a valuable function, and my clothes wouldn't be clean without it. Still, I don't exactly get lost in daydreams of its next spin cycle.
So it is with the Versa, which was a practical but unstimulating companion this weekend...
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- Posted by: Warren Clarke June 11, 2007, 12:03 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
June 4, 2007
Honda Fit this, Honda Fit that. The writing's on all the walls: the Fit's the great-handling, sharp-shifting, charismatic stunner of the subcompacts while the Versa's a personality-free penalty box. Whether true or not, is the rivalry really warranted?
Sure, they're both four-cylinder, five-door hatchbacks newly hatched for 2007. But check the stats, Mac:
Wheelbase: 96.5 inches (Fit) vs. 102.4 (Versa)
Length: 157.4 vs. 169.1
Rear legroom: 33.7 vs. 38
Engine: 1.5-liter single-cam vs...
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- Posted by: June 4, 2007, 2:42 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
May 21, 2007
Despite not having much love for the Nissan Versa, I spent some time in our long-termer this weekend and definitely appreciate it more than I did before. Nice one-touch sunroof, decent power, smooth ride, great gas mileage. But (and there's always a but, isn't there) its lack of fold-flat seats irks me to no end. Not just because I frequently carry a full-size 88-key keyboard for gigs and such...
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- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd May 21, 2007, 12:38 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
May 8, 2007
I'm surprised nobody has noted this before, but our long-term Nissan Versa's passenger airbag cover no longer fits properly -- and hasn't for quite a while. Despite repeated attempts to fit it back into place, it just stays there with its back left corner lifted off. It looks like something's trying to squeeze its way out of the dashboard. I'm an optimist, so I'll just assume that the airbag isn't about to blow out at any minute, scaring the bejesus out of an unsuspecting passenger as they gaze at traffic oozing by at LA's typical 3 mph...
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- Posted by: JRiz May 8, 2007, 1:16 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
May 7, 2007
I generally favor the Versa's interior. Control design is almost ideal, dials and levers move tightly, and presentation is professional (if plain). The sound system is also better than expected, and its double-DIN-sized stereo faceplate (rare these days) lends well to audio mods.
Yes, the Versa remains vice-free... right up until about four hours, when a mild ache starts to spread throughout your backside. It's not as bad as some cars, but among all the Nissans I've driven up and down the state, this Versa was the only one to leave me less than refreshed after a long drive. The culprit is the overstuffed, undersupportive padding, which seems uncharacteristic for the company. So does the grainy fabric that makes these chairs look and feel like props from That 70s Show.
Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 7,300 miles
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- Posted by: May 7, 2007, 4:18 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
April 27, 2007
We've put about 6,200 miles on our long-term 2007 Nissan Versa SL so far. According to the fuel log, we've averaged 27.7 mpg. The best tanks in terms of fuel economy have been around 32 or 33 mpg while the worst have been about 21 mpg. The EPA's estimate for a six-speed Versa is 30 mpg city/34 mpg highway...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans April 27, 2007, 10:05 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
April 20, 2007
Many blog posts have compared our 2007 Nissan Versa to our other small long-termer, the Honda Fit. Each car has distinct advantages. Yet I was a bit surprised to read in a recent issue of the automotive trade journal, Automotive News, that the Versa is handily outselling the Fit. Here are the latest year-to-date sales figures (as of March, 2007) for the batch of all-new or redesigned "B segment" cars:
Chevrolet Aveo: 15, 228
Honda Fit: 8,837
Nissan Versa: 16,195
Toyota Yaris: 19,186
Nissan's execs are probably pleased with the Versa's showing...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans April 20, 2007, 7:47 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
April 12, 2007
For all that’s been said about the Versa’s Intelligent Key system, the record must show that the Versa remains among the few cars (even within Nissan) to side with function over form. Most others have succumbed to the push-button ignition fad, whose one-way-street operation just adds fussiness and subtracts flexibility. Know those times when, say, you just finished parking but want to let your favorite MP3 run its course? No such luck: pushing the button pulls the plug.
The Versa’s ignition, on the other hand, is just a straight-up conversion of the standard three-position ignition switch. Twist forward freely, twist backward freely, no waiting for a computer to catch up with your inputs, no need to drag your feet into the starting ritual. And of course, no reaching for your pocket.
And the goodness flows from the inside out: on the Versa's door handle sits a nice, simple button for locking and unlocking. None of that glitchy hand-sensing stuff here, no sir.
Technology is good. Technology judiciously applied is even better...
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- Posted by: April 12, 2007, 4:06 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
The 8% of you Americans who have stuck with the stick should know a few things about the Versa’s. First, having six speeds to choose from is almost unheard of at this price, optimizing the Versa's already good fuel economy and making the most of its thin powerband. Next, the shifter follows Nissan compact car tradition of being toweringly tall, while the clutch has some of that neo-Nissan abrupt engagement. The armrest, when lowered, stands in arm's way. The most lasting impression, though, comes from how every shift to the next gear comes with this distinct SNAP that feels oh-so-satisfying yet outrageously unnatural.
Don’t like it? Well, there’s always the Versa’s optional – and brilliant – CVT automatic. Also unheard of at this price.
Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 5,600 miles
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- Posted by: April 12, 2007, 12:42 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
April 2, 2007
I took our long-term Nissan Versa shopping this weekend, and it quickly showed its worth, easily cramming itself into a non-standard-size compact parking space. Beyond that advantage, the Versa is starting to grow on me in a way I hadn't expected. My relationship with the car has an adversarial element... I find myself wanting to drive it in anger...
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- Posted by: Erin Riches April 2, 2007, 3:15 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
March 28, 2007
I just drove our Long Term Versa for the first time. I thought I would dislike the car. I thought wrong.
Here are a few observations:
The Versa is quieter as has a more compliant ride than both the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody March 28, 2007, 8:26 PM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
March 26, 2007
Okay, I'm not gonna blather on about Versa versus Fit driving dynamics -- that's been covered adequately. Just consider me in the camp that prefers the Honda's sprightly demeanor and sharp handling to the Versa's tepid personality. And yes, I'd take the Honda over the Nissan if I were buying. That said, the Versa does beat the Honda in one area: touch points. The latter is car design jargon for, well, anything that a driver or passenger touches, such as armrests, door pulls, etc.
Compared to the Fit's hard plastic armrests and upper door panel trim, the Versa (photo on left) feels like a luxury sedan. The armrests are so plush you can temporarily leave your fingers' impression in 'em, like those memory mattresses. And the upper door panel is also covered in padded, soft-touch material. It's one of those subtle things that gives an impression of quality.
The rear seat is a draw between the two rivals. I used the Versa to haul a dinette set home from Ikea (really, who needs an SUV?) but I noticed that you don't get a low, completely flat load floor when you flip the seats down, as you do in the Fit. But for carrying passengers, the Versa gets points for providing a lot more rear leg room (a generous 38" versus about 34") as well as a flip-down armrest.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 5,198 miles.