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2009 Nissan Versa Review

May 20, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a looker
Cars.com

Hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite
Car and Driver

Controls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked
ConsumerGuide

Although bland both inside and out, the 2009 Nissan Versa is designed to offer maximum space and practicality, and it delivers.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show mixed reactions, but they tend to agree with Motor Trend's opinion that the hatchback is "the more distinct-looking sibling." Kelley Blue Book reviewers don't mind the exterior styling, contending that "the tidy Versa succeeds at not being boxy or bland," and they note the car's proportions make it "exceptionally easy to enter." Car and Driver says the style is "hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite." Edmunds states that "both body styles come in base 1.8 S and more upscale 1.8 SL trim levels," though the only external differences are "alloy wheels" on the 1.8 SL. The exterior of the Nissan Versa certainly isn't exciting, but it is practical and a bit of an optical illusion. Cars.com reviewers comment that "at first glance, you might think the Nissan Versa sedan is a subcompact," but in reality, it's "less than an inch shorter than a Honda Civic and just two inches shorter than a Mazda3." The reason for the subcompact appearance is the "funky front end, tall roofline and squished rear," which Cars.com considers a "look that's common to Japanese subcompacts," although on the 2009 Nissan Versa, those elements "don't flow together well."

ConsumerGuide gives the interior high marks for the "logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" controls. MotherProof reports that the interior is "far bigger" than it appears from the outside, while Cars.com describes it as "cavernous." Those same Cars.com reviewers also approve of the dash inside the Nissan Versa, finding that it "appears more like its big brother, the Sentra," a slightly more expensive vehicle in Nissan's 2009 lineup. The 2009 Nissan Versa is designed to maximize the space afforded by its small dimensions, and the Nissan designers have done an incredible job in that regard.

Conclusion

Whether as hatchback or sedan, the jury is still out on the 2009 Nissan Versa’s styling. TheCarConnection.com thinks the hatchback is considerably better-looking.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a lookerCars.comHardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetiteCar and DriverControls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly markedConsumerGuide Although bland both inside and out, the 2009 Nissan Versa is designed to offer maximum space and practicality, and it delivers. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show mixed reactions, but they tend to agree with Motor Trend's opinion that the hatchback is "the more distinct-looking sibling." Kelley Blue Book reviewers don't mind the exterior styling, contending that "the tidy Versa succeeds at not being boxy or bland," and they note the car's proportions make it "exceptionally easy to enter." Car and Driver says the style is "hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite." Edmunds states that "both body styles come in base 1.8 S and more upscale 1.8 SL trim levels," though the only external differences are "alloy wheels" on the 1.8 SL. The exterior of the Nissan Versa certainly isn't exciting, but it is practical and a bit of an optical illusion. Cars.com reviewers comment that "at first glance, you might think the Nissan Versa sedan is a subcompact," but in reality, it's "less than an inch shorter than a Honda Civic and just two inches shorter than a Mazda3." The reason for the subcompact appearance is the "funky front end, tall roofline and squished rear," which Cars.com considers a "look that's common to Japanese subcompacts," although on the 2009 Nissan Versa, those elements "don't flow together well." ConsumerGuide gives the interior high marks for the "logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" controls. MotherProof reports that the interior is "far bigger" than it appears from the outside, while Cars.com describes it as "cavernous." Those same Cars.com reviewers also approve of the dash inside the Nissan Versa, finding that it "appears more like its big brother, the Sentra," a slightly more expensive vehicle in Nissan's 2009 lineup. The 2009 Nissan Versa is designed to maximize the space afforded by its small dimensions, and the Nissan designers have done an incredible job in that regard. ConclusionWhether as hatchback or sedan, the jury is still out on the 2009 Nissan Versa’s styling. TheCarConnection.com thinks the hatchback is considerably better-looking. 2009 NISSAN VERSA STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a looker" Car and Driver: "Hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite" ConsumerGuide: "Controls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Hands down, the best vehicle in this smallest, cheapest class of cars is the Honda Fit. The Fit is admittedly more expensive than the rest, and it's only available as a hatchback, but it feels sporty and substantial on the road, with good safety, responsive performance, and an excellent Magic Seat arrangement in back that trumps ordinary fold-forward arrangements. The Chevrolet Aveo is the other pick of the bunch for ride quality, but the Aveo has unimpressive fuel economy and safety. The Toyota Yaris has the best fuel economy, at up to 36 mpg highway, but it doesn’t feel as roomy or refined. Kia's Rio and Rio5 hatchback feel sportier than the rest of the crowd, as does the xD.

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See the Nissan Versa in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Louie Paez #1, Posted: 10/27/2009

    I absolutely love my Versa. I looked at everything else for over a year and the closest (the Fit and Yaris) were seriously overpriced, had smaller engines and were very cramped. My 6'4" son can sit in the back seat! My car comes with the automatic, ABS, cruise control, spoiler and I paid $13,500. My only gripes are that Nissan could easily have provided a single CD stereo with MP3 capability. I plan to pull this cruddy radio out soon. My other gripe is that I have not local Nissan dealer making servicing a pain in the &(%*.

  2. By senojdr2 #2, Posted: 10/31/2009

    Your refuseal to post my comment is what i except from people with FIT agenda's GAS milage of 33/34 mpg on Versa.i quess that is up setting to some!!!!impossible words for posting message.Don't want want my imput...

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