The Nissan Versa proves that it is more fun to drive a slow car quickly than it is to drive a fast car slowly. I've driven the Nissan GT-R and the Nissan 370Z, but the Versa is more fun than both of them. It can easily handle 70 mph on a freeway where appropriate, but the engine will be well into its power band and a little noisy. It's great fun. The interior has lots of headroom in the front and in the back, with comfy seats and nice materials. The trunk is surprisingly spacious. So much interior room in a small car is bound to result in an awkward look, and as expected the Versa is somewhat ugly. If you can get past the appearance, the Versa is a fun choice and one of the best Nissans on sale today. –Paul Hagger
While Nissan's Versa isn't going to win any beauty contests, it's a great car that drives well and will give you 30 mpg or more on the everyday commute. The compact and efficient 5-door hatchback has decent power, and the continuously variable transmission works well. Though the change to a CVT takes some getting used to, it's very efficient. Still, there is something disconcerting under hard acceleration when the engine is set at high rpm and the car's speed is increasing. The Versa's style is driven by functionality so it's not a superattractive vehicle. But the functionality and efficiency come through in spades. –Mike Meredith
Considering that the Versa is the most basic model in the Nissan lineup, the small car is pretty impressive. There's not a lot of power under the hood, but Nissan's very good CVT helps harness what power there is. I wouldn't call the Versa quick, but it does get around OK. For such a small car, there's a surprising amount of room inside. The tall roof provides a roomy feel, and there's plenty of headroom for a taller driver. Cargo space is quite usable, but although rear seats fold to expand the space, they don't go flat to the cargo floor, limiting their use. With fuel economy in the low 30s and priced around $15K for a well-equipped model, the Versa makes a good option in the entry-level sedan market. –Perry Stern
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