Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota

Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the Kia Rio EX has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio as reasons for the vehicle's win. The newly redesigned Nissan Versa and unloved Toyota Yaris filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the Honda Fit as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.

The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic's fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo "didn't live up to its sporty aspirations."

We'll politely agree to disagree on that one.

All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating. Hit the jump for a look at the full press release and debate amongst yourselves in Comments.

Continue reading Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout

Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Nissan

We often express our love for good road trips here at Autoblog.com. Apparently, Nissan is also a fan of such extended endeavors, and the automaker has brewed up a new contest that centers around hitting the road. It's called My Versa Road Trip, and it will end up putting a 2012 Nissan Versa in someones garage.

Nissan has teamed up with Google Maps to create a web app that lets you plot the trip you want to take. You can then share that trip on Facebook, and you are entered into the contest. You get to pick a few friends along with the soundtrack for your trip and then describe the adventure in 104 characters or less. The best trips will win prizes, and the grand prize is an actual road trip with friends and a brand new Versa.

A bit too lazy to plan a road trip? Britney Spears is here to help you. The pop princess has decided to step in and give out a new Versa as well. This time, all you need to do is fill out a form, and you're entered. No, we don't get it either.

Click past the jump to watch video about the contest, then head over to MyVersaRoadTrip.com to plot your own course.

Continue reading Plot a course to a free Nissan Versa, or win one from Britney Spears [w/video]

Plot a course to a free Nissan Versa, or win one from Britney Spears [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Nissan, First Drives

America's Cheapest Car Returns With More



V is for Versa, and Nissan would like you to believe that its 2012 Versa also stands for volume, value, virtues, versatility and, since we're out of Vs, sophistication. While other automakers have been out to redefine the idea of the compact car as something hip and sporty - no longer the moped of cardom - Nissan developed this Versa "to redefine compact car value, giving buyers everything they want and need in one stylish package."

That means the Versa makes math arguments, not emotional ones. It wants to give you more than you'll get elsewhere and not make you feel bad about going for its attributes instead of allure. As the segment sales leader, that argument has been working for years. Yet with other manufacturers adding new variables, we went to Seattle to see if the Versa still makes a case for itself.

And it does... if you like numbers.

Continue reading 2012 Nissan Versa

2012 Nissan Versa originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Nissan

Nissan has officially released pricing on the company's 2012 Versa Hatchback. Buyers looking for the functionality of a five-door can expect to pay $14,380 excluding destination charges for models equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission in S trim. Opting for a four-speed automatic gearbox will set you back an additional $1,000, while stepping up to SL trim with the company's Xtronic CVT will cost another $4,010. Of course, that stack of cash buys SL owners more than just the fuel-saving transmission. It also includes all of the equipment formerly stashed in the Premium Package as standard, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free calling and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

Keep in mind that aside from the new standard equipment, the 2012 hatch will soldier on much as it was in 2011. Nissan says that since most of the model's sales were five-doors, it wanted to debut an all-new sedan first.

Even so, the five-door prices mark a steep increase over the base Versa Sedan, which starts at just $10,990 when equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed transmission. The hatchback Versa is on sale right now, but shoppers looking to get their hands on the low-buck four-door will have to wait until later this year. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Continue reading Nissan Versa hatchback soldiers on for 2012 despite all-new sedan counterpart

Nissan Versa hatchback soldiers on for 2012 despite all-new sedan counterpart originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When The Garage reviewed the 2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL hatchback last year, we were impressed with the level of comfort it delivered, the roomy cabin and copious cargo capacity. While we had no serious complaints, the soft ride, CVT transmission, and handsome, if bland looks didn’t exactly set us on fire. Waiting with The Garage’s Founding Editor, Gary Grant at the 2011 New York Auto Show for the Nissan press conference to begin, and staring at an empty stage, I’m asked: “What do you think they’re going to show?” I pause, and answer “It’s got to be a new Versa.”

Cue the darkening stage lights, pounding electronic music, and…out rolls a dark grey 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan. As the sound of clicking cameras go off around me, I say outloud “What, no hatchback?”  No matter. Out walks the impeccable Chairman of Nissan Americas, Carlos Tavares, and he is beaming next to his new car. Standing before this still bland looking car, with a few hundred auto journos and TV crews from around the world, at first you might think “What is this guy so happy about?” Read on, you’ll see…

Myself, and anyone else assembled before that stage knows that Mr. Tavares reads what we write about the cars he sells. And he knows we praise the Versa’s competitors like the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta for their funkier designs and sportier driving dynamics. He didn’t, but as if to say “I know you car-obsessed gearheads sitting in front of me are bored already. But let me tell you something.” While he never said that, Mr. Tavares was very quick to point out that in 2010 the Versa handily outsold its competitors we so lovingly write about. And you had better believe the Honda and Ford execs standing shoulder to shoulder with us must have felt like they were getting schooled from the guy for standing at the top of the class.

This was a text-book reminder that the mission here is to sell as many cars as you can. And the message with the segment-topping Versa was, despite our ho-hum reception, what we print on paper or online is secondary. The Versa’s sales position holds the ultimate distinction: The Market has spoken. Nissan recognized its obvious success, and was not about to upset the masses with any deviance from the course.

Anyhow, what is we get with the 2012 Nissan Versa? There was concern with a new model the old sub-$10,000USD base price would go, and it has. Base Versas now start at $10,990. All Versas will be powered by a 1.6L four rated at 109hp. A five-speed manual is available in base trim only, while the aforementioned CVT is an option on the base car, and standard on the rest of the line. The Versa rides on an all-new global platform that is close in size to the outgoing car but weighs less. Fuel economy, a critical factor in this class is improved, delivering EPA ratings of 30/37MPG city/highway when equipped with the CVT.

Pricing is not available at this time, but according to Nissan, sales of the 2012 Versa Sedan will begin sometime this summer. No word if a hatchback will be joining the sedan.

At this week's New York Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a new version of its Versa small car, letting them finally drop the stripped-down version of its Versa sedan, the lowest-priced new car on the market, with an advertised sticker price of $9,990. With its demise comes the death of the sub-$10,000 new car. Here's why that's a good thing. More »