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Meanwhile, the Europeans already have the new Focus. The closest we can get is the Mazda3 or Volvo S40.
Anyway, it'll be cool to have the Fiesta. The current model is a sharp little car. It should compete well with the Versa, Yaris, Fit, etc. Now Mazda needs to bring their little Mazda2 over!
Why? Because of the new Fusion mid-size car for one reason. Look at what it offers. Sharp, crisp design and way more than adequate driving capabilities. Ford has priced it competitively as well.
Ford needs a solid, dependable seller in the small car range and the Focus just seems to confound Ford's own engineers. Look at how many recalls they've needed with that car. The Fiesta will give them that and Mazda's Mazda2 is destined for success, too. Good moves. Noggins are still operating amidst the smog. Refreshing.
OTOH-Nissan's new Versa is dull and strange-angular looking. It is just another example of sub-par body style engineering by Nissan. Looks cheap and probably is very cheap. I'm not impressed at all by it.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I also prefer the Focus that the rest of the world gets, but that is another story.
I like the Yaris sedan. It'd make a nice car for my wife who prefers little cars that are easy to park. (although she's been warming up to the Infiniti slowly)
Going back to the Versa. I would want to test drive it first of course. It would be nice driving a Nissan again.
A) The vast majority couldn't tell you how much hp their car has if their lives depended on it,
Even more of them will never use more than half the available power.
I've always been a fan of eating what's on my plate, but not ordering more than I need. My current 160hp/5-speed manual (Mazda3) is plenty for my needs. I am envious that the Versa gets a 6-speed, though. I wonder if the Honda Fit will have one also?
We got burned on a 1997 200sx, so we are Nissan-shy, so-to-speak, these days.
If this is mainly a Renault Megane(sp?), it may be interesting for us.
Also, what are 0-60 times? That would be important, due to lot of merging onto hwy traffic areas.
NVH would be somewhat of a deal breaker, also.
our 90 sentra was a great car, especially compared to the so called entry level cars today,which, by comparison, seemed louder, slower, and not quite as solidly built, either.
Anyhow, I read the hatchback is 169.1 inches long, and the sedan 175.9.
They are calling these sub-compacts?
Also, read 120HP/125 torque.
The Hatch is about same length as the Suzuki Reno.
Read 38 mpg is combined?
Guess we will have to wait and see,and drive one for ourselves next Summer/Fall.
NVH is also another factor. Seems lot of small cars are loud anymore, at least if you have to "floor it", from say 0-45 mph.
Rio sedan I tested was loud, if you had to keep moving with traffic(flooring it). Once you hit 45, or take off slowly, fairly quiet.
I guess that's why these small cars have loud stereos
If as advertised the Versa can comfortably hold five adults, it would likely be in the EPA "compact" class at the least, based on interior volume, possibly even in the mid-sized class (e.g. the Elantra sedan, which is about the same length as the Versa sedan, is in the EPA "mid-sized" class.
Curb weight is at 2574lbs
Versa's dimension in millimeter(divide by 25.4 for inches)
The new Bluebird Sylphy was released in Japan last week.
The previous Bluebird Sylphy was marketed as the Sentra in Asia. Will this new Sylphy be the new Sentra? I cant wait for the NAIAS.
IMO, the last generation Sentra was designed without foresight. The physical aspect of the car and the powertrain was immediately outdated by the superior offering from the competitor. Worse is, they left the car in cold storage for half a decade.
And now the new Sentra has just been announced at NAIAS; pictures and press released were all over the Internet ; and yet nobody is taking notice, not even here at Edmunds. Even the lowly Accent and Rio has its discussion forum months before the release but none for the Sentra.
I’m really excited about the redesign. Initial information are encouraging but the MPG leaves a lot to be desired. A 29city/36 hwy for a car with CVT isn’t cutting edge by any means. Designing a car that is suppose to beat the present competition doesn’t work anymore. By the end of the yer the new Corolla will be in and in a couple of years the Mazda 3.
I don’t even know which class the new Sentra is competing in. Considering the size of the Versa I would hope that it’s larger than the Civic and Corolla but smaller than the midsize Camry and Accord. I don’t know any car that is positioned between those. With its size, I hope that front/ rear headroom, legroom and shoulder room will be class leading. Storage options are unbelievable! I love the trunk and how the 60/40 split reat seats/ fold flat.
The price however isn’t final yet. The base model has power everything, 6 spd manual and 2L 135 HP engine with CVT and SAB as option. That’s a nice packaging and I hope they keep it that way. Nissan knows who they’re competing with so they shouldn’t price this out of the competition.
CVT wagon, (SL) with ABS and Side Airbags also has security, power everything and comes in at $16,300 including destination.
Including Tax, liscence and registration, and assuming a $750 discount at some point, the Versa is a $17,000 drive out the door car that gets 38 mpg, and is comfortable, relativly sporty and has a good beige interior.
Assuming the reliability is better than the crap Nissan has been pulling lately, and by that I mean, Toyota or Honda quality, it will do well against the Fit.
Although the Fit does have the benefit of being a $14,500 drive out the door, manual version. But it only gets 35.5 mpg, an abomination.
Overall, I am excited as hell about the recent explosion of small cars. Its about time we good people got some cars and not just the gas guzzling bastards in the SUVs,(drivers of suv hybrids are exluded from this remark).
Photo slideshow too!
Sorry, but the dash already look outdated (for a brand spanking new 2006 design)and abs is still optional
The Fit receives 33/38 for the manual
The Yaris receives 34/40 for the manual
I can only imagine that the Versa receives 38 for the highway in a manual, just like the Fit. The Versa is larger, no doubt heavier, has a larger engine, and will probably be geared similarly to the Fit or Yaris.
So in the end, the Fit's so-called "abomination" might be just the same as the Versa.
Looks like Nissan is the place to go for high MPG vehicles with decent power.
Versa 1.8L w/ CVT Sentra 2.0L w/ CVT
120 HP 135 HP
38 combined MPG??? 29city/36 hwy/32.5 combined
Something is not right. A 0.2L difference in displacement equals to a 15HP gain. Did they detuned the 1.8L engine to achieve a higher MPG? I
The current Sentra (excluding SE-R models) is a slug and it appears the new one will continue that heritage. I know none of the cars in this class really need massive amounts of power, but you'd think the car from the folks who build the Altima SE/SE-R and Maxima would give their entry level a little more kick.
Perhaps they could fit the 2.5L from the Altima into the Sentra for the SE version like they currently do?
I'd prefer the Versa to the Sentra, though--more versatile, better fuel economy, and a lot less expensive.
I too would prefer the Versa with sport package and 6 spd manual.
Can’t wait to see how the Versa performs on the road, I will definitely be taking the 6sp out for a test drive. Hopefully the FE numbers will be on par with 38mpg combined that has been presented by Nissan.
I like the styling and the modern options (mp3 jack, smart key) are nice as well. The best part will be the 6 speed transmission! I don't think I could go back to a 5 speed again.
I can definitely understand your concerns but with the CVT available the Sentra won't be slow, mostly because the car will always "be in the right gear ratio" for decent acceleration performance.
I bought the Fit after having carefully considered the Tiida/Versa for the following reasons :
1) Versa only comes with a 1.6 engine, which basically performs like the 1.5 in the Fit, but the Versa is much larger and heavier, so performance can be considered as mediocre.
strangely enough, the Versa top speed is rated at 180 km/h against 168 Km/H for the fit. I will check by myself, but it seems the Fit specs claims quicker speed pickup though.
2) pricewise, the Tiida here costs 30% more, that is about 20K USD, if well equipped. I bought my Fit for about 15K USD.
had the Versa been proposed with a 2.0 engine, my choice would probably have been for the Tiida.
imho, the Tiida Cabin is ways better than the Fit. it looks higher end and with smooth/nice surfaces.
http://www.nissan.com.cn/vehicles/tiida_2/interior.html
With the fit, I just had the choice of black board and panel trims, which downgraded the car.
The Tiida offers much more leg room in the back, and is 35 cm/ 14 inches longer, so I think it is not exactly the same segment as the fit.
a Tiida with a 150/160 HP 1,8 L Turbo engine would be an interesting offer indeed, but this is unlikely to happen
It seems the Tiida has a quiet cabin if I trust the figures I saw in Chinese test magazines.
It might be the roomiest, but if you compare the exterior dimensions to the interior, the Fit wins in relative interior size and versatility. The Versa has nothing like the Fit's Magic seats with Utility-Long-Tall-Refresh modes.
Will the Versa really have standard side airbags, side curtain airbags, CD player, A/C, power windows/mirrors/locks, tachometer all at a price of a base Fit?
I am very impressed by the Versa's estimated fuel economy though. I wonder what the actual EPA economy will be. Kudos to Nissan very making such a large engine with 38 combined.
I think the Versa interior is rather spartan when compared to the Fit, and the exterior looks a little too Renault/mini-Quest like. I still would have to consider the Versa though if it can get 38 combined with the 6 speed manual (I don't want to pay $1000+ for the CVT). I wonder since it is more Civic/Corolla/Mazda3 sized if it won't sticker more in the 17-20k range once it is well equipped (power options, cruise, keyless).
Right now I will probably get the base Versa, or one with the CVT. If the mpg difference is minimal I will probably go with the 6 speed base like my 350Z had.
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If my math is correct the 6 speed manual should get about 36 MPG combined and the automatic about 33 MPG. The CVT of course is rated by Nissan as 38 MPG combined. The Versa looks like a real interesting car. I will consider it when it becomes available.
http://www.newcartestdrive.com/sneakpreview.cfm?Vehicle=2007_Nissan_Versa&Review- ID=89
The EPA deflates the numbers by something like 20%, so don't be surprised if the EPA combined number for the CVT is more like 30. It would be nice to get 38, but this isn't a particularly small car or small engine.
I do still hope I'll be pleasantly surprised, however.
Mike
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Yeah, I think they have a winner. It looks like a mini Murano. Car and Driver described the Element as a Hummer-Mini lovechild. And the Versa is a Mini-Murano.
1. Not mini-Murano; it looks much more like a mini-Quest. Not a good thing.
2. Made in Mexico.
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One drawback I noticed is the tailgate is very narrow at the bottom. Not the best shape for sliding in a wide object.
But...the Versa is bigger and more powerful than its' new rivals, the Fit and the Yaris. And it appears it will get as good or better mpg.