CTC Review: 2007 Nissan Versa

[Mr. Meow]

I really like the look. Its a nice car. I not sure I'm a fan of CVT although. I sure will all just get used to it once all the car makers start using it.
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[wing]

One comment regarding Tuesday's entry. While the Versa may be smaller then the Mazda 3 in terms of the exterior, the interior is much, much more roomy. Having spent a little time in both of them, the Versa is much more spacious, and I would say the materials are definately better. The 3 is definately the driver's car, but the Versa is a much better passenger's car.

I'd have to disagree with that I have both in my driveway as we speak.  Although interior size is close the Mazda has more rear seat room and more shoulder room.  Height though in the versa I would agree is better and better for tall drivers.  Interior quality goes to the Mazda as well, the Mazda is a few thousand more I expect it to be better.  But the Versa is VERY VERY good.

[mdxtasy]

Which vehicle has better cargo space with the seats folded down?  Which car has the most efficient use of the interior room? 

Can both of you quantify why you say the Versa/Mazda3 has a better interior? 

[wing]

the interior design in the Mazda3 is more appealing and textures and such are nicer.  Both use hard plastics so a tie there.  Seat comfort and adjustments are better in the Mazda as well.

Mazda 3 seats fold completely flat, Versa does not.  The differences are slight though the Versa does NOT feel low rent it is excellent.  I almost wish I bought a Versa to save the $ over the Mazda3.

[safristi]

So Wing yer saying the Versa is a good as the Mazda 3 fer $2,000plus less....and the CVT has decent get up and go..OR did the nice weather and TOONS on Stereo LULL ya inta a false sense of Karma Karma chameleon.........

[nowcar]

 "I almost wish I bought a Versa to save the $ over the Mazda3."

Wow! I wasnt expecting that!

I have the same problem, first I looked at a Mazda 3, got upsold to the 3 GT for a variety of reasons (want a hatch, the engine, cruise control), Then I realized that a 3 GT is VERY close in price to an Impreza (basically getting the AWD for free). But then I drove the Versa and found it very acceptable and a loaded versa is only about $19 500.

Thats a lot of beans.

[jww]

So Wing yer saying the Versa is a good as the Mazda 3 fer $2,000plus less....and the CVT has decent get up and go..OR did the nice weather and TOONS on Stereo LULL ya inta a false sense of Karma Karma chameleon.........

Hey Saf - Karma Chameleon was Boy George and Culture Club - not Wham.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Versa sales are hot - 1,431 in Sept.

Compares to:
Golf - 176
SX4 - 301 (211 of which were 4WD's)
Rio - 369
Lancer - 446 (incl 40 Sportbacks)
Impreza - 450
Rabbit - 482
Sentra - 571
Wave - 600
Aveo - 723
Fit - 789
Elantra - 887
Vibe - 1,311
Accent - 1,346
Versa - 1,431
Focus - 1,657
Caliber - 1,810
Matrix - 1,988
Yaris - 3,075
Corolla - 3,841
Mazda3 - 4,401
Civic - 7,586

I find the Versa uncomfy. Wish they had rounded the lower left panel from the HVAC controls so my knee would be jammed into it. I'd ante up to the 3 myself. So Wing, you find the ride supple and the wind noise low too? That's probably the biggest advantage Versa has IMO - mimmics a comfy larger car feel in city and on highway.

[safristi]

BOY GEORGE MICHAELS sure gets around!!!!

[airbalancer]

canada or us #?

[Alec Munro]

One comment regarding Tuesday's entry. While the Versa may be smaller then the Mazda 3 in terms of the exterior, the interior is much, much more roomy. Having spent a little time in both of them, the Versa is much more spacious, and I would say the materials are definately better. The 3 is definately the driver's car, but the Versa is a much better passenger's car.

I'd have to disagree with that I have both in my driveway as we speak.  Although interior size is close the Mazda has more rear seat room and more shoulder room.  Height though in the versa I would agree is better and better for tall drivers.  Interior quality goes to the Mazda as well, the Mazda is a few thousand more I expect it to be better.  But the Versa is VERY VERY good.

Wing, do you perhaps have very long shins? According to the websites of both manufacturers, the 3 has 922 mm rear leg room, and the Versa has 966 mm. That's a fairly significant amount more room for the Versa. I do remember the Versa's front seats were concave at the back, so I suppose if you had very long shins, the Versa might seem smaller.

As far as the materials of the interior, that's probably subjective, but I simply found the 3 a little too austere. The abundance of dark colours probably adds to this.

[wing]

Alec,  I just did a back to back seating test in the rear seat of my Mazda VS the Versa.  There may be slightly more leg room in the Versa, you sit straighter up in the Versa which feels different, I like the reclined type seating in the Mazda. 

I took out the measuring tape to check a few things:
Back seats to end of the trunk is 10 cm longer in the Mazda3
The interior width (door panel to door panel) is 13 cm wider in the Mazda3 as well

The Versa is large for a sub-compact for sure! 

[84im]

Give me a U.....give me a G....give me an L......give me a Y....what's that spell....VERSA 

[nowcar]

Just a note about the back & the seats. Even though the seats dont fold flat, The back section is extremly deep BECAUSE it was not built up to sit flush with the seats.

There is a piture out there somewhere on a nissan forum with a picture of two of those full size plastic garbage cans in the back of the Versa up and down. I wish I could have found it again because it is pretty impressive.

[nowcar]

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerofile/41533/canssmall.jpg

here is that pic i was talking about ... if this works

[jww]

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerofile/41533/canssmall.jpg

here is that pic i was talking about ... if this works

You need to post the image rather than the link - here's the error message I got:

"File attachments can only be linked from the message board server; Outside linking is not allowed."

[safristi]

"FLUSH with the seats !!!!"......is that part of the Seniors Package???

[wing]

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerofile/41533/canssmall.jpg

here is that pic i was talking about ... if this works

You need to post the image rather than the link - here's the error message I got:

"File attachments can only be linked from the message board server; Outside linking is not allowed."

Actually he posted the image and that didn't work either, you'll have to copy / past the link into your browser and it will work.

[nowcar]

Sorry guys! It was working last night when I check back. I am a newbie so be gentle!

Here is the thread, it is half way down the page: http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/195263

hope that works

[slybry]

I remember comparing specs of the 3 with Matrix. I was surpirsed to learn that Matrix has 50 cubic feet of cargo room but the 3 sport only had around 30. I think the Versa 50. So regardless how the seats fold the Versa beats the 3 in cargo.

I wondering if front passenger seat folds flat to accept long items.

Like the Versa. Nice to hear some positive comments for a change. Some reviews I have seen were negative. It seems sometimes gear heads get so wrapped up in expecting every car being a sports car they forget what most people need is comfort, room and good fuel economy. They have commented about how engine sounds rough at full throttle. That is too bad but I do not drive my cars at full throttle. Based on comments of this day to day review it sounds like the car is quite composed and quiet under normal driving. Seeing as I do normal driving 99.9999% of the time what else matters?

Still despite the fact that I know this I still found myself affected by negative reviews and was turned off the car a bit. Well my interest is getting peaked again!

I am waiting for sport model because I want a sunroof.

What truly worries me is 1st year production woes on a car built in Mexico with too much Renault influence. Suspect it could be trouble. Toruble is I need a car soon and can't wait months and months to find out if it is reliable.