2012 Nissan Versa Overview Change Vehicle

2012 Nissan Versa review with specifications, fuel economy data, safety information, reliability ratings, a photo gallery, and The Vehix View

Sold in hatchback and sedan body styles, the 2012 Nissan Versa is an entry-level economy car that features an affordable price and a roomy interior.

Nissan completely redesigns the Versa Sedan for 2012, refining the car while retaining the roomy interior and trunk that make it so compelling to practical people. The base price is $10,990, the EPA classifies the car as a midsize sedan, and the trunk is as big as a Honda Accord’s. Lighter and more fuel efficient than before, the new Versa Sedan is labeled a PureDrive vehicle by Nissan to underscore technology designed to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy.

The 2012 Nissan Versa Hatchback carries over with its previous design, but gains four new option packages for the base 1.8 S model as well as numerous new standard features on the 1.8 SL version. Notably, stability control is now standard on all Versa Hatchbacks for 2012.

Because the 2012 Versa Hatchback and Sedan are different vehicles, we’re going to cover them in two separate sections, starting with the redesigned sedan, which comes in 1.8 S, 1.8 SV and 1.8 SL trim levels.

The Versa 1.8 S Sedan is one of the least expensive cars sold in America, with a starting price of less than $11,000. For that sum, you get a manual transmission, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, a basic trip computer, a rear defroster, a two-speaker radio with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack, a driver’s seat height adjuster, and suede upholstery. Its black grille, black mirrors, black door handles, and body-color greenhouse trim identify the basic Versa Sedan, which rolls on 15-inch wheels outfitted with appealing plastic wheel covers. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional, and is required to get the only options for this model, which are cruise control, a cargo area light, and rear stereo speakers.

If you want power windows, power side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, rear stereo speakers, and a remote trunk release, you’ll need to upgrade to the Versa 1.8 SV Sedan. This model includes the CVT, as well as Fine Vision instrumentation with a tachometer, an upgraded trip computer, nicer cloth upholstery, silver cabin trim accents, chrome exterior detailing, body-color mirrors, blacked-out greenhouse trim, and a trunk lid liner. The only option is a Convenience Package with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a premium sound system with iPod connectivity, steering wheel controls for the stereo and Bluetooth, and a passenger’s side vanity mirror.

At the top of the Versa Sedan lineup, the 1.8 SL Sedan includes the SV model’s Convenience Package plus alloy wheels, fog lights, intermittent wipers, cloth interior door panel trim with chrome interior door handles, and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback. The stereo adds MP3/WMA compatibility and speed-sensitive volume control, the doors are linked to the overhead map lights for improved cabin illumination when entering and exiting at night, and the 1.8 SL Sedan includes a vehicle security system. An optional Tech Package adds a navigation system with real-time traffic and weather reporting, and satellite radio.

Switching gears to the Versa Hatchback, this model is available in 1.8 S and 1.8 SL trim levels.

In most respects, the Versa 1.8 S Hatchback is better equipped than its equivalent Versa Sedan model. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power side mirrors, a power hatch release, a tilt steering wheel, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The 1.8 S rides on 15-inch steel wheels with plain plastic covers, and exterior trim includes more chrome and additional body-color bits and pieces. The four-speaker stereo has a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack, the cabin has silver accent trim and door armrest padding, and suede upholstery covers the seats. A rear defroster, variable intermittent front wipers, and a rear window wiper are also standard.

Nissan offers several stair-step package upgrades on the Versa 1.8 S Hatchback. A Plus Package adds cruise control and remote keyless entry. A four-speed automatic transmission is also optional, and it’s required to access remaining options including alloy wheels and the Convenience Package (Bluetooth, iPod interface, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, fabric headliner, cargo cover, overhead console with sunglasses storage and map lights). Choose the Special Edition Package and you’ll get the automatic transmission combined with the Plus Package, Convenience Package and alloy wheels, as well as Special Edition badges. A Navigation Package (navigation, satellite radio, USB) can be added to Special Edition models.

The 1.8 SL Hatchback comes with everything listed above except the Navigation Package, which is optional. Additionally, the 1.8 SL includes a CVT, 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport body kit, a rear spoiler, fog lights, and sport cloth seat fabric. Nissan Intelligent Key entry and push-button ignition is also included, along with a premium sound system with an iPod connection, a manual driver’s seat height adjuster, a center armrest with soft padding, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an overhead console with map lights, and a vehicle security system.

Because there are two distinctly different Versa models, there are two distinctly different Versa engines. The Versa Sedan has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 109 horsepower. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the 1.8 S model. A CVT is optional on the 1.8 S and standard on both the 1.8 SV and 1.8 SL. Fuel economy ratings are 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission, and 30-city/38-highway with the CVT.

The Versa Hatchback is equipped with a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower. Before you get too excited about this, know that the Versa Hatchback also weighs as much as 343 pounds more than the Versa Sedan. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the 1.8 S, and a four-speed automatic is optional. If you choose the 1.8 SL, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard. Fuel economy ratings are 26-city/31-highway with the manual transmission, 24-city/32-highway with the four-speed automatic, and 28-city/34-highway with the CVT.

Every 2012 Versa is equipped with what has become the industry standard in terms of safety features: four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control, and six airbags.

As the information for this review is compiled, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides no crash-test ratings for the redesigned Versa Sedan. The Versa Hatchback gets a 3-Star frontal impact rating and a 4-Star rollover resistance rating. No side-impact scores are provided. Digging deeper, it is important to note that the front passenger protection rating is just 2 Stars. Not good. Especially for a car that is light to begin with.

Results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are more favorable for the Versa Hatchback. Frontal- and rear-impact protection levels receive the highest rating from the IIHS, while side-impact protection and roof crush strength are given an Acceptable rating. As this review is written, the IIHS has not rated the Versa Sedan.

Predictions for the Versa Sedan’s reliability are also unavailable at the time this review is published. The Versa Hatchback gets an average reliability prediction from Consumer Reports, while J.D. Power and Associates expects the hatchback to return slightly below average levels of dependability over time.

The Nissan Versa is positively huge inside. In fact, the EPA classifies the Versa as a midsize car. Sedans hold 14.8 cubic-feet of cargo in the trunk, as much as a Honda Accord Sedan. Hatchbacks can carry 17.8 cu-ft behind the rear seats, and if you fold the back seat down you’ve got 50.4 cu-ft of space with which to work.

Despite its front-engine, front-drive powertrain layout, the Versa Hatchback’s weight distribution is a favorable 53/47 front to rear. The Versa Sedan is not quite as well balanced, with a 59/41 front-to-rear weight distribution. Both models have a 0.31 coefficient of drag.

The 2012 Nissan Versa is built in Mexico.

On a weekend trip to Seattle, we asked the Nissan Versa Hatchback to do what it wasn’t necessarily designed to: carry three adults and a nine-month-old plus all their gear around this great metropolis with a minimum of drama and a maximum level of comfort.

Not that our expectations were high. The Versa is transportation at its very basic, and it fit our penny-pinching driver’s rental car budget. But we can say that we came out winners, as the Enterprise agent’s dire warning as to the stripped-down nature of the vehicle (in trying to upsell us to a midsize) – “No air, no power windows or locks” – proved disingenuous.

We were also surprised by the 17.8 cu-ft of cargo area behind the rear seats, which was able to swallow up one large suitcase and four medium carry-ons, along with an umbrella stroller. It wasn’t an easy task, but with a bit of ingenuity and an advanced degree in Tetris we were able to get the job done. The adult in the back seat had no problems with comfort, remarking that she had plenty of room in the tall cabin. The Versa’s higher-than-most roofline also came in handy when trying to spot the car in stacked parking on the ferry ride to an outer island.

The Versa’s softly sprung suspension was a benefit on unevenly paved city streets, and juice from its 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter inline-four engine, while not muscular, was peppy enough to squirt in and out of downtown traffic. We were also impressed by its svelte 34.2-foot turning diameter, complemented by agile steering, which allowed the Versa to tuck neatly into tight spots in traffic.

While the Versa Hatchback is rapidly aging, especially compared with its sparkling new Versa Sedan sibling and other compacts that have recently received extreme makeovers, this Nissan still has enough charm to remain a contender in the economy vehicle class. – Liz Kim

The redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan is positively huge inside. Four large and tall adults will fit comfortably, and the trunk is just as generous as most midsize cars. While technically a five-passenger vehicle, the Versa’s narrow cabin makes squeezing a fifth rider into the back seat an undesirable task. The seats are comfortable, too, and the driver benefits from excellent outward visibility.

Beyond this, the new Versa is utterly average, and from both design and drivability standpoints – not to mention warranty coverage – the car is overshadowed by its more stylish and entertaining competition.

Dowdy sheetmetal and a drab cabin covered in shiny hard plastic are likely to make the Versa Sedan a tough sell for Nissan dealers. The 109-horsepower four-cylinder engine will also be compared to other cheap-car offerings that produce as much as 138 horsepower, and in the Chevy Sonic a turbocharged engine with a broad, flat torque curve.

It’s not that the Versa Sedan is a lousy driver. On the contrary, a light curb weight coupled with a CVT that makes best use of the available power mean this Nissan accelerates adequately and can power up hills keeping pace with traffic. The electric steering offers solid, hefty feel with none of the skittishness one might experience in a Ford Fiesta. The suspension is compliant for a nice ride but communicative enough that the driver isn’t completely isolated from the road. The Versa is also more tossable than expected, though the 15-inch all-season tires squeal early and lose grip sooner than later. As with most cars featuring front-disc, rear-drum brakes, the brake pedal is a little numb and difficult to modulate.

Nevertheless, the new Versa just rolled into showrooms but already seems old and dated. Buying a small car no longer means settling for less, as proven by numerous Versa competitors, and trying to sell this car on the strength of its impressive passenger and cargo accommodations is unlikely to resonate with the young people who typical buy such vehicles. That leaves cash-strapped families battered and dazed by an economy that refuses to recover, or empty nesters who want lots of space for very little money as they scramble to shore up retirement savings.

Wait. Maybe Nissan is on to something after all. – Christian Wardlaw

Have we mentioned that both Versa models are positively huge inside? That’s the main reason to buy one. Otherwise, we think the competition in the entry-level econocar class has a leg up on Nissan’s Versa in terms of design, driving dynamics, and warranty coverage, and also in terms of safety and reliability with regard to the Versa Hatchback’s middling ratings in these areas.

By Christian Wardlaw