2008 Nissan Versa: Green Credentials, No Compromise

You can learn a lot about a car company by taking a spin in its entry level model. Often, the lowest priced car in the lineup is in many respects the most honest, conveying traits - good or bad - found in the rest of the company's products.

Nissan has produced some truly great small cars over the years. In the North American market, Nissan, originally known as Datsun in the U.S., staked its claim in the small car market with the Datsun 510. Produced from 1968 through 1973, the 510 was such an enjoyable car to drive it was often referred to as "the poor man's BMW." Until the B-platform Versa was introduced in mid-2006 as an all-new model for 2007, the Sentra nameplate held down the entry level honors for Nissan over two decades. Like many cars, the Sentra evolved in size and weight over the years with six generations of refinement that outgrew the cheap, entry level segment.

Curiously, while the Versa competes with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, the EPA classifies it as a midsize car. Though the Yaris sedan is a bit longer and wider than the Versa, it is classified as a subcompact. Versa is simply a more substantial feeling vehicle and is accordingly several hundred pounds heavier than the Toyota and Honda entries.

To handle the additional weight, Nissan fitted the Versa with larger 1.8-liter double overhead cam four cylinder that produces a respectable 122 horsepower and 127 lbs-ft of torque. Our test car was happily fitted with a standard six speed manual transmission. While automatics are much more efficient these days, we still prefer a good manual transmission in this vehicle class. With six speeds on hand and gear ratios closely spaced, a driver is able to make the most of the power at hand. The shifter has a short throw and tight pattern that requires a few trips to find the proper feel between third and fifth, but once you get the hang of it this is one of those gearshifts that feels just right.

The combination of a willing four cylinder and smooth shifting six speed manual transmission provides good acceleration. We were able to consistently go from 0-60 mph in the low nine second range, with a best run of nine seconds flat. EPA fuel economy numbers are 26 mph city and 31 mpg highway for the manual with 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for the CVT automatic. Keep in mind these are the new lower 2008 EPA ratings. One extended highway run in the test Versa netted nearly 35 mpg when driven in a very efficient fashion. Our combined average was consistently over 30 mpg.

Versa utilizes electric power assisted steering to minimize parasitic power loss from belt driven engine accessories. Though the tuning is quite good, there are times when you wish for a little more precision and road feel back through the steering wheel. That said, Versa is still a fun car to drive in a sporting fashion. Point it down a twisty country road and it's hard not to smile. This car carves a clean line and can be hustled along with minimal fuss.

We like the overall tall-in-the-saddle driving position that provides a commanding view of the road over the very low, sloping hood line. This is a car in which the driver quickly feels in control, with great visibility in all quadrants. The controls are all simple and straightforward, with large rotary dials to adjust the climate control system rather than the sea of perplexing buttons that can overwhelm. The Versa is a great first car, commuter, college car, or all around economy car. It comes standard with Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System that includes seat mounted driver and front passenger side impact supplemental airbags, roof mounted side curtain airbags, along with the dash and wheel mounted front airbags.

Versa, like the other small cars in this class, is quite roomy for its size whether you're driving the hatchback or sedan model. As a five door hatchback, it offers flexible loading of either passengers or cargo. With the rear seats folded, Versa offers 50.4 cubic feet of cargo room, plenty to stow all kinds of gear. The interior is nicely finished. It's not gimmicky or trying too hard to be different. A straightforward and functional design yields a very accommodating cabin.

In any measure, the Nissan Versa is an economical right sized car that doesn't expect compromise for its green credentials. We like that: an honest car that simply delivers.