The 2014 Nissan Versa sees some minor changes to available options packages and trim levels, but otherwise it is unchanged. The subcompact car is designed with two central priorities: getting you where you’re going and doing it inexpensively. The Versa isn’t designed to thrill in the corners or press you back against the seat during acceleration. But it does take you from Point A to Point B, and considering its low price, it’s a handy vehicle with respectable cabin accommodations.
The Versa S has held the crown as the cheapest new car available in the United States for more than two years. It’s not abundantly equipped, but it provides the same utility as many competitors do for much less.
The first thing that strikes you about the 2014 Nissan Versa’s passenger cabin is the roominess. Nowhere is this more evident than in the backseat, where even tall adults will find a surprisingly generous amount of legroom. Even the trunk is big for a car this size, with 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space available before you fold down the 60/40-split-folding rear seats that are standard in the SV and SL models. The front seats are fine for short hops, but may be less comfortable for taller drivers on longer drives due to the lack of a telescoping steering wheel.
On the road we found the 2014 Nissan Versa sedan’s 1.6-liter engine’s acceleration sufficient for most buyers of this class. With a 35 mpg rating in combined driving for continuously variable transmission (CVT)-equipped models, the Versa is one of the thriftiest non-hybrid cars on the road. The Versa’s suspension is tuned for comfort, and the result is a smooth ride quality that many subcompact models can’t match. The CVT is smooth and unobtrusive around town and has a modest acceleration on the highway. This is not a sports car. However, the Versa sedan with the CVT went from zero to 60 in 10.4 seconds, which is average for this class of car.
The front-wheel-drive 2014 Nissan Versa engine produces 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the S, and a four-speed automatic is optional.
The 2014 Nissan Versa sedan is offered in four trim levels: S, S Plus, SV and SL. Buyers interested in the hatchback version should check out the recently introduced Nissan Versa Note. The entry-level S model is pretty bare-bones, with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, a trip computer and a two-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack.
The Versa SL sedan we drove has keyless entry, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a six-way adjustable driver seat with armrest, upgraded upholstery and gauges, cloth door trim and full power accessories, steering wheel audio controls, a USB/iPod interface, a front-passenger vanity mirror, map lights, passenger grab handles, 16-inch alloy wheels and Nissan’s Easy- Fill system. With the SL Tech upgrade we also had a navigation system, a 5.8-inch touch- screen interface, a rearview camera, satellite radio and upgraded Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity.
As an entry-class car many buyers are especially interested in Versa’s safety features. The 2014 Nissan Versa comes standard with antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), traction and stability control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In brake testing, a Versa SL sedan came to a stop from 60mph in 128 feet, which is a respectable distance for a car in this class. Another worthwhile feature is the SL’s tire pressure alert system, which makes it easier to add air to your tires by sounding the horn when you’ve achieved the correct psi.
In crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Versa sedan received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with three stars for frontal-impact protection and four stars for side-impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the Versa sedan earned a top rating of “Good” in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests. In the small-overlap frontal-offset test, however, the Versa sedan got the lowest score of “Poor.” The Versa’s seat/head restraint design was rated “Good” for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Overall, if having plenty of space for your passengers and sticking to your budget are a top priority, the Nissan Versa is a great place to start.
BASE PRICE $11,990–$16,890 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE (Standard) 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder TRANSMISSION Continuously Variable Transmission WHEEL-BASE 102.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 175.4x 66.7 x 59.6 in EPA CITY/ HWY FUEL ECON 40/31