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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Nissan Versa

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Nissan Versa

Overview

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2012 Nissan Versa Review

By Jason Allan

KBB Expert Rating: 6.2

The Nissan Versa is the Toyota Camry of the subcompact segment: Boring but a best seller. Of course, boring cars are only boring to those looking to make a fashion statement or generate an adrenalin rush with their transportation – a minority group. To its many happy buyers, the Versa is the roomiest, most comfortable new car available in the neighborhood of $15,000. And even though Nissan's designers have blessed the all-new 2012 Versa Sedan with considerably handsomer sheet metal, the basic recipe remains the same. The Versa Hatchback remains essentially unchanged for 2012.

You'll Like This Car If...

The 2012 Nissan Versa is about as roomy and comfortable as it gets in the subcompact, sub-$15,000 category.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you like your economy cars with a pinch of driving excitement, you'll have to go to another dealership.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.2
Driving Dynamics

5.7
Comfort & Convenience

7.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

4.8
Value

6.2
Safety

7.9

Consumer Rating

7.5 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

More sophisticated sheet metal and improved fuel economy are the most important improvements on the all-new 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan. The Nissan Versa Hatchback continues mostly unchanged for 2012.

Driving the Versa

2012 Nissan Versa Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Subcompact cars are neither smooth nor quiet. But some are smoother and quieter than others, and the 2012 Nissan Versa is tuned to be just that. If the category has...

a cruiser, the new Versa is it. But it's also easy around town and in parking lots, with light steering, a tight turning radius and good visibility. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) remains a polarizing proposition in the automotive world, but Nissan has made great strides in recent years and, especially in when used in conjunction with a car like the Versa, we're fans. If you're looking for a lively dance partner, check out something like the pricier Ford Fiesta. If you're more intrigued by the idea of a condensed version of a comfortable mid-size sedan, you'll like the Versa.

Favorite Features

Rear Legroom
It isn't fast, it isn't flashy, but it sure is roomy. If you plan on taking long road trips with more than one passenger, the Nissan Versa is the most humane choice in the category.

CVT
Continuously variable transmissions take some getting used to, but you grow to appreciate the smoothness. Nissan committed to the CVT several years ago and is now doing them better than any other automaker.

2012 Nissan Versa Details

2012 Nissan Versa Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Nissan is quick to point out that the 2012 Nissan Versa has best-in-class rear legroom – more, even, than the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus LS 460. The Versa also boasts the subcompact category's roomiest trunk – roomier, in fact, that it's Versa Hatchback sibling (14.8 cubic feet vs. 13.8). The front seats are acceptable – about as good as it gets in the category – and the interior is otherwise clean and simple. We prefer the look of the Sandstone interior, which feels richer than the Charcoal option.

Exterior

It's still among the category's most conservative designs, but the next-gen Nissan Versa Sedan looks much better than the awkwardly proportioned outgoing model. Making its debut on the 2012 Nissan Versa is a new signature grille for Nissan sedans. The base-model Versa S can be identified by its black trim, and if you want alloy wheels instead of covered steel wheels, you have to go all the way to the top-line SL trim. The same can be said for the Versa Hatchback, which offer 15-inch steel wheels with full covers on the base model and 16-inch alloys and a rear roof spoiler and side sills on the higher SL trim.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2012 Nissan Versa S starts at $11,750 (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price plus destination) with a 5-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, 2-speaker AM/FM/CD/Aux stereo system and not much more. Missing in action are power windows, power door locks and a folding rear seat back. For about $3,500 more, the mid-grade Versa SV remedies the manual windows and locks situation, and adds cruise control, nicer seat cloth and a variety of visual upgrades inside and out.

Optional Equipment

A 2012 Nissan Versa SL with Tech Package has an MSRP of $17,020. For that you get Bluetooth phone and USB/iPod audio connectivity, and the Tech Package adds navigation with a 5-inch screen plus traffic info and satellite radio.

Under the Hood

The all-new 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan pairs a brand new 1.6-liter engine with a brand-new, second-generation version of Nissan's small-car CVT. Fuel economy is up significantly compared to the outgoing Versa and now competitive with category leaders, but the 2012 Hyundai Accent manages similar fuel economy while delivering 26 percent more horsepower. The 2012 Versa Sedan is the first Nissan to wear a "PUREDRIVE" badge, which the automaker says will denote cars with unspecified fuel-saving technologies. So, when people ask you what "PUREDRIVE" means, "nothing, really" is an appropriate answer. The Versa Hatchback retains the 1.8-liter engine that it always had, which can be mated to a selection of three transmissions including a 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic and a CVT.

Nissan Versa Sedan
1.6-liter inline-4
109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/36 mpg (manual), 30/38 mpg (automatic)

Nissan Versa Hatchback
1.8-liter inline-4
122 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
127 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/31 mpg (manual), 24/32 mpg (automatic), 28/34 (CVT)

Pricing Notes

With a sticker-price range of $11,570 to $17,020, the 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan has both the lowest starting and ending prices in the category. A competitor like the Ford Fiesta, for instance, ranges from $13,995 to more than $20,000. But a features-based comparison reveals mostly similar pricing across the category on an apples-to-apples basis. If a larger 5-door better suits your needs, the Versa Hatchback carries a starting price tag around $14,500 and goes up to around $18,500 for the top SL trim. Check our Fair Purchase Price for current real-world pricing. For someone seeking maximum room and comfort at a minimum price, the 2012 Nissan Versa definitely qualifies as a great value.

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2012 Nissan Versa Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.5

Out of 10

Based on 48 Ratings for the 2012 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

7.8/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

6.7/10
Comfort

7.7/10

Styling

7.2/10

Got rid of at 2800 miles!

By Cargirl (FL) on Sunday, July 21, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Did not like the car - My approximate mileage is 2,800

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Relatively quiet on the road (even at high speeds)"

Cons: "sways on the highway, cheap material on the seats"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"About 3 months ago we bought the Nissan Versa Automatic 1.8 S Special Edition w/ navigation. Since the car was for my teenage kids, and I had no intention of buying it at lease end; I really did not do my homework (shame on me)! The car is being redesigned in 2014 and will now be called Nissan Note. I think the dealer was pretty happy we walked through the door that day not knowing any of this. The dealer still had some 2012 Versa's still sitting on the lot. We took it for a test drive around the block and felt like it was a good car to learn how to drive. After we bought it we found out several days later that on the interstate it catches wind and it takes effort to hold it steady. We had a cloth charcoal interior and it literally picked up every piece of lint; it was like a Velcro vacuum (I'm assuming cheap material because I've never owned a car that has done this before)we were constantly trying to pick-up lint with a brush. I will never visit that Dealer again! I think they were trying to get rid of the 2012 Versa's left on the lot and therefore we were steered toward that model (they did not show us anything else (Sentra, Altima). My husband and I have been buying /leasing Honda's since 2004. Beware if you lease a Nissan that they charge $395.00 at lease end to turn in the vehicle (Honda does not charge anything). The one good thing I can say about he Versa is that when traveling fast down the highway it was relatively quiet. Another nice thing was it came with a pretty decent sound system. I believe if anyone is looking for a small car, there are better options out there like the Honda Fit etc. (better quality. Plus they hold their value better if you plan to purchase at lease end. We traded the Versa in this past weekend and we were upside down in the negative $4,000. We paid 4,000 at lease signing, so add it up; it was a very bad deal for a car we only had for less than 3 months."

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Like it so much we are buying a second one!

By Miss Easy (TX) on Saturday, July 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 14,899

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everyting is Awesome"

Cons: "Could be a bit more stable in the wind but for a l"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This little car is awesome! VERY roomy inside, a breeze to drive, it SIPS fuel, easy to park whats not to like!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great Car, Great Price

By papajack (NC) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 280

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "price, fuel economy. Leg room. head room"

Cons: "lack of power"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I know I have only had this car for a few days. But, I am amazed at what it has to offer for a subcompact. Everything is there I ever needed in a car except the power. But, if having more power means losing fuel mileage. I will leave it just the way it is. Styling is good considering all the rest of all the other cars look all the same. I just love this car. I reccomend it to everyone looking for a fuel miser with the comfort and leg room of a larger car..."

11 people out of 14 found this review helpful

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Best economical car!!

By buckeye_39 (MI) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Cheapest mode of transportation period!"

Cons: "Zero luxury period!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Over 14,000 miles on my $12,500 out the door Versa. Yes, that is taxes included, got 52 MPG on my fill up today! Had to order it, no floor mats but 50+ MPG worth roll up windows and no power locks. If you want bare bones cheap car, this is for you! I paid $12,500, took almost 6 months to get car but I got my 50+ MPG A-B car!!! If I drive 70 mph = 37 MPG, 55 mph = 50 mpg, it's up to you!!"

14 people out of 14 found this review helpful

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OK Commuter Car. Will Drive You Crazy

By scottinatl (GA) on Saturday, April 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,100

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Roomy Interior, Price, Fuel Consumption, Highway"

Cons: "CVT, Driving Characteristics, Annoying"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"The CVT is a dream at freeway speeds. Around town it is jerky, awkward, unresponsive, annoying, confused, and overall gutless. It is so bad I am trying to trade it in. You hit the gas and it does nothing and then, at some random point, decides to kick in and scream and yell and goes abosultely nowhere in the process. The interior is roomy and comfortable for the average commuter. Fuel consumption is around 27 around town and 35-38 on the highway. The Atlima is a pleasant experience with their CVT. This car is not and you will curse the day you succumed to a good deal when trying to get in-and-out of traffic in the city."

4 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Great car!!

By SailorJoe (FL) on Monday, April 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 200

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Economical, Practical and Different"

Cons: "Radio"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"37 MPG!!! Researched and test drove the Civic, the Fit and the Yaris. The Versa drove and felt like none of them. It was different in a good way. Good steering, descent acceleration and quiet on the road. It is not very luxurious but I knew that going in so the number rating is reflective of my view in that area. The looks are different but not necessarily a bad thing since all you see now-a-days are the Camry or Corolla. The car feels like the designers actually put some thought into it. Definitely recommend you test before deciding."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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