2011 Nissan Versa Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Nissan Versa overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Versa, and includes Nissan Versa safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Baby steps are important. They’re the wobbly first steps that eventually lead to great strides. Or at least that’s what everyone hopes. The 2011 Nissan Versa doesn’t make any great strides, but there are baby steps to consider. The baby step for 2011 is the addition of a standard six-disc CD changer for the 1.8 S Sedan. Never ones to shy away from some good tunes, we’ll happily accept that.

Nissan sells the 2011 Versa in 1.6, 1.8 S and 1.8 SL trim levels. While the 1.8 S and 1.8 SL come in either sedan or hatchback body styles, the 1.6 is only available as a sedan.

The Versa 1.6 Sedan is inexpensive. In fact, it is one of the most inexpensive cars sold in America. Translation: you don’t get much, but maybe you don’t need much. The list of standard features includes roll-up windows, manual door locks, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent windshield wipers, and teensy tiny little 14-inch wheels. Four stereo speakers are installed, but if you want to hear anything coming out of them, you need to pony up for an aftermarket stereo. Options are limited to air conditioning, antilock brakes, and an automatic transmission.

The Versa 1.8 S is more powerful thanks to its bigger engine, bumps your wheel size up to 15 inches, features ABS, adds nicer interior trim and fabrics, includes air conditioning, and plugs the hole in the dashboard with a decent audio system equipped with a CD player (CD changer on sedans) and an auxiliary audio input jack. Options include a Power Plus Package (power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, door armrest pads and cruise control), a four-speed automatic transmission, and a stability and traction control system.

The 2011 Versa 1.8 SL, which is the top trim, adds rear door panel map pockets, armrest pads, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, traction control, and stability control to the standard features list. A height-adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear center armrests, a front armrest storage cubby, upgraded fabric upholstery, and an audio system with a six-disc CD changer (hatchback) and an auxiliary audio jack are also included.

The SL can be loaded up with options. A touchscreen navigation system is available that includes satellite radio, a USB port and real-time traffic updates. Additionally, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and Nissan Intelligent Key keyless ignition can be added to both the hatchback and sedan. Alloy wheels are optional for the hatchback model, as is a power sunroof.

A meager 107 horsepower emanates from the 2011 Versa 1.6 model’s basic 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed automatic transmission is optional.

Vehix strongly recommends upgrading to the 1.8 S or 1.8 SL if for no other reason than to get the larger and more powerful, 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. With the 1.8 S, this engine is matched to a six-speed manual transmission with the four-speed automatic transmission available. With the 1.8 SL, a four-speed automatic is standard on the sedan and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard on the hatchback. This engine, combined with the CVT, delivers the best performance and fuel economy.

EPA fuel economy ratings estimate that the Versa 1.6 will get 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with the manual gearbox and 25-mpg city/33-mpg highway with the automatic transmission. Ratings for the Versa 1.8 range from 24-mpg city/32-mpg highway with the four-speed automatic to 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with the CVT.

Every 2011 Nissan Versa is equipped with six airbags to help protect occupants in a crash. Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist come standard on all but the 1.6 Sedan, and a stability and traction control system is standard on the 1.8 SL and available on the 1.8 S models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has downgraded safety ratings for the 2011 Versa. The car continues to get the highest Good rating in the offset frontal impact test, but now side-impact protection is rated as Acceptable. The IIHS has not assessed rear-impact injury protection or roof strength for the 2011 Versa.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) began more strenuous crash testing for 2011 and as a result the 2011 Versa’s ratings lead one to believe it crumples up like an aluminum soda can in a crash. The overall safety rating is a dismal 2 Stars. Leading to this terrible evaluation are 2-Star ratings for the front passenger in a frontal-impact crash, 2-Star ratings for the driver and rear seat passenger in a side-impact crash, and a 2-Star rating in the new side-impact pole test. Rollover resistance remains at 4 Stars.

Reliability ratings aren’t much better. According to Consumer Reports, the 2011 Nissan Versa should return average reliability. J.D. Power and Associates predicts that the Versa Sedan’s dependability will be average, while the Versa Hatchback will be slightly below average.

Overall, the 2011 Nissan Versa has ample room for a small car and both the sedan and the hatchback boast healthy cargo-toting capability. Moreover, features like Bluetooth and a navigation system are unusual in this class, and there’s no arguing with the Versa’s low base price (1.6 Sedan) and good fuel economy (1.8 SL Hatchback). However, middling reliability predictions combined with disastrous crash-test results from the NHTSA preclude us from recommending the versatile Versa.

By Courtney Messenbaugh