Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Honda Civic LX vs Nissan Versa SL
Hi all,
I need a new compact sedan to replace my 10 year old car. After doing some research over the internet, it comes down to Honda Civic LX Automatic or Nissan Versa SL (with CVT, ABS and convenience packages).
Yesterday I contacted several dealers and gets quite good offers on both (even lower than invoice ;-) ). Both cars will cost me approximately the same amount of money.
At the moment I really don't know what to choose. I like both, especially the Civic - for the look, styling, reliability and power. Besides, I can get the Civic now, instead of pre-order and wait for 2 months for the Versa.
However we have a small child and plan to have more in the next couple of years, so safety is the most important to us. Both of them are highly rated in crash tests, front, side and rear. But the Versa has 2 things that the Civic doesn't: BRAKE ASSIST (BA) and TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS).
I don't know much about the real effectiveness of these 2 features, so please help! Any idea on how well they perform in reality?
Any help is appreciated!
I need a new compact sedan to replace my 10 year old car. After doing some research over the internet, it comes down to Honda Civic LX Automatic or Nissan Versa SL (with CVT, ABS and convenience packages).
Yesterday I contacted several dealers and gets quite good offers on both (even lower than invoice ;-) ). Both cars will cost me approximately the same amount of money.
At the moment I really don't know what to choose. I like both, especially the Civic - for the look, styling, reliability and power. Besides, I can get the Civic now, instead of pre-order and wait for 2 months for the Versa.
However we have a small child and plan to have more in the next couple of years, so safety is the most important to us. Both of them are highly rated in crash tests, front, side and rear. But the Versa has 2 things that the Civic doesn't: BRAKE ASSIST (BA) and TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS).
I don't know much about the real effectiveness of these 2 features, so please help! Any idea on how well they perform in reality?
Any help is appreciated!
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
By the way, according to the Consumer Reports, the Versa without ABS came in (tied with the Toyota Yaris w/o ABS) as having the worst dry braking performance of all the cars they had tested for the year prior to the current annual auto issue. They also remarked that even with ABS the Versa's braking performance was not that impressive. I don't have on hand the stopping distance of the Civic, but i remember that CR had said nothing negative about it.
If you have reviewed this forum or NICO Versa forum, you will notice that a large number of people have been reporting problems with the Versa's TPMS. It may be a liability, instead of an asset.
Thanks for the info. If I choose Versa, I'm going to order one with ABS. It's a must cos our safety concern.
Regarding braking distance, the Versa with ABS stops at 136 ft (from 60mph), the Civic stops at 130 ft. The difference is only 6 ft.
About Brake Assist (BA): I read somewhere that 90% of drivers did not push hard enough on the brake in an emergency situation. BA will assist in such cases by "assisting" enough force to the brake.
I guess Edmund's reviewers pressed the brake pedal as hard as they could when they tested the cars, so 130ft and 136ft are ideal distances.
In real world, BA will likely help Versa drivers stop at close to 136 ft, while the lack of it in Civic means 90% of Civic drivers will not be able to stop at close to 130ft (how much more? I don't know).
Honestly I'm not sure if my logic is correct as I only did my research over the internet for the last day or two, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
To you, it ought to make no difference what 90% of other drivers are doing. What is important is whether or not YOU can stop. If you know how to apply the full brake force, then by using the Edmunds' results, you can estimate that you will stop quicker in a Civic than in a Versa (by the way, 6 feet doesn't seem much, but there is a big difference in the aftermath between hitting something/someone and stopping 6 feet short of it).
I am saying all these because braking performance is an important issue to you. For some of us, maybe it is not that important (it is to me). Everyone puts a different emphasis on different parts of the same car.
- Civic: 130 ft
- Versa w/ABS & BA: 136 ft
Real world conditions (90% of drivers):
- Civic: 160 ft (for example)
- Versa w/ABS & BA: 140 ft
I really like the styling and quality of the Civic but the Versa is a bit larger inside, has more features, and perhaps a bit safer. Hmm... so hard to choose.
Be sure to check the crash safety ratings at NHTSA and IIHS and compare the two vehicles:
http://www.safercar.gov/
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
I love the convince pakagae on mine. I don't have the abs, and I do wish I had more braking power, but then again it isn't horrific just not stop on a dime.
The CVT is differnt than an auto and the car behaves a tad differently. On a whole the CVT is smoother than a automatic, but it can be a tad jerky at times to(i.e. if you punch it).
Be sure to check the crash safety ratings at NHTSA and IIHS and compare the two vehicles:
http://www.safercar.gov/
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IIHS tests show both cars have "Good" rating across the board.
Government tests show Civic slightly better in frontal crash, while Versa slightly better in side crash.
They both weight approximately the same.
So it's safe to say they offer the same level of protection in crashes.
But (on paper) the Versa LS is a bit better at PREVENTING crashes with it's Brake Assist (which comes with ABS package) and TPMS.
From my experince the with a non abs versa, it does not have good braking and the tires do not grip well to the road. In fact that is one of the few things I would change about the car.
Otherwise I love the car. I love it's roomyness. Love the conveince pakage.
If it were between the versa and the civic, and I liked the way the civic looked better. I would take the civic. There just isn't enough of a safety difference between the two cars to sweat about. Infact I would say either no safety difference OR if there is one it goes to the civic(not the versa).
the civic has pretty awesome handling for having "softer" suspension that the coupe and the SI, and even in several hard stops, i didn't notice any real significant brake fade
from my understanding, the sentra's frame is a crossover from small SUV?
defenitely opt for the civic, you will not regret it, even Consumer Reports says that it is the best small sedan under 20k and I have to agree after driving numerous cars
I don't know what you mean by "a bit larger," but I sat in the Civic LX and the Versa hatch and sedan today within a few minutes of each other at my local auto show and the Versa seemed MUCH roomier inside than the Civic, both in rear legroom and in headroom. The rear legroom of the Versa is amazing for a car its size. When I adjusted the driver's seat height (SL) fairly high for good thigh support, I was able to move it forward too. I am 5'10", 32" inseam. With the driver's seat so adjusted, I had tons rear legroom, partly because there's a lot of space under the front seat for feet. There was more rear legroom than in the new Altimas sitting next to the Versas (partly because there isn't as much foot room under the Altima's seat). The Civic by comparison had much less rear legroom and also much less headroom, so it felt claustrophobic compared to the Versa. I thought the driving positions of both cars were good.
The edge with the versa is that you are getting more car for your money (bluetooth, intellikey, EBD, TPMS, alloy rims i think)
Even if the TPMS on the Versa doesn't work that well and only tells you when the tire is inflated incorrectly, it's better then nothing at all.
If you can live without the extra's you get for a Versa, then I would definitely go with the civic based on reliability and the fact that you like the styling more. I'm surprised you would need to pre-order a Versa, there should be plenty of dealerships that have them, I'm sure you can find one for the same price
The Sandman
The Sandman
I don't get to see the Civic anymore, or my folks for that matter... they moved 700 miles away!
That's what you originally said, and I said otherwise. I never said or implied that the Civic was bigger inside than the Versa, especially since I have spent VERY limited time inside of a Versa.
In Japan, the JDM Tiida has the ability to slide the backseat forwards and backwards. In its rearmost position, it's practically a limousine.
If you want to talk about a sport compact with no backseat room, creat a nissan versa vs. subaru impreza thread.
The Mazda3's back seat is pretty tight also. The Corolla's a little less so, but neither is anywhere near as spacious in back as the Versa. This is one area where the Versa clearly outshines the Civic and every other car in its class.
Considering the Versa SL with ABS, alloys, premium audio with satellite radio, CD changer and Fosgate subwoofer, Bluetooth, Intelligent Key, power moonroof, audio controls on the (leather) steering wheel, 60/40 split rear seat with center armrest etc. costs less than the modestly equipped Civic LX, and has lots more interior space and cargo capacity than the Civic, the Versa seems quite a value compared to the Civic.
Funny how Civic buyers look for reliability, and pay more for it, but if you look at all the complaints about the current Civic here on Town Hall, I question whether they are getting the reliability they paid the premium for. There isn't much difference anymore between Civics and other makes in terms of reliability. CR rates the '06 Civic "Above Average" in reliability. There are compacts that cost much less that have a better reliability score.
So to paint Nissan as a wonderful car company and Honda as being rude, is unfair. My situation was the complete opposite and proves nothing about either car company. I'm sure there are many more examples pro and con for every car make.
In terms of reliability, my Sentra stunk and my Civic's great. Again, proves nothing about which company is better or worse. Our perception is our own experiences and what we read in these forums and hear from friends and family.
At this point, the only company's I haven't tried that I would like to are Hyundai, VW & Mitsubishi. Very pleased with Honda so far.
The Sandman
My vw rabbit may never have a problem but that wont change anyones opinions. And the civic gets flak for having a section where people talk about their problems with it, but everyone seems to forget there is a section for every single car here in regards to each personal owners problems with it.
and before anyone jumps, no that actual phrase wasn't used, that is just the vibe that is being put out there.
I've had plenty of six footers and they were pretty happy in the backseat. They liked the civics FLAT floor as well.
I thought you've already had multiple problems with your Rabbit, as you've reported in Town Hall?
And comparing dealerships is about the same. they're independantly owned. the actual owner and staff will determine how your experience goes. Has nothing to do with what kind of car they sell.
1. the 'armed' light that flashes by the window is sometimes (a total of 2 times in the last 6 months) on after getting in the car. Arming and then disaring fixes this.
2. a windshield wiper adjustment for free.
hardly problems.
why did it take so long for someone to say this?
If you have a propensity to get motion sickness, I'd suggest that you try out the wipers before buying a new Civic.