2007 Nissan Versa S from North America - Comments

Nothing, just bought the car this weekend.

I researched the "cross-overs" before settling on the Versa. For the price and MPG, the Nissan Versa wins. Lowest price, most interior head and leg room, and best gas mileage.

Comparably equipped (that's the only real way to compare models), it's only $500 or so more expensive than the cheapest hatchback sold in the US, the Hyundai Accent. Considering you get active head restraints, body color exterior mirros/door handles, tire pressure monitors, and a larger more powerful motor compared to the Accent for the money, it's a bargain. Not to mention it's considerably larger than the Accent and has 4 doors instead of 2. The interior is also much more up-to-par for todays standards in terms of quality and style. It do however think the Versa is rather homely looking, especially the front. The Accent is sportier and cuter, but that's not a compelling enough reason for me to buy one. The only thing I've found the Accent to have comparably equipped over the Versa is 2 tweeter speakers and a height adjustable driver's seat. 6 speakers total in the Accent. 4 in the Versa. The seat adjustment I could appreciate probably, but still not compelling enough to buy the lower quality, smaller Accent over the Versa for $500 less. Don't even get me started on the Civic. Leave that car for people who have no spending limits.

I too have a 2007 Versa S. I bought this car mainly for MPG and it's a big disappointment for me! I get an average about 22mpg to a tank in city driving however, the last couple tanks it gets about 20mpg and I started to hate driving it because I did not give the HONDA FIT a chance for a test drive. For almost the same in price wise, I should have gotten a FIT or even a YARIS. Although, I do think it's a good reliable vehicle. It drives well and is cheap to maintain. I just hate the fact it was not built in JAPAN like the other two are. A word of advice... buy with your heart and you'll be HAPPIER!

The Versa SL has a height adjustable seat, but the S does not.

Previous poster, you should expect bad gas mileage for the first 3,000 miles or so. If it's beyond that, have your car checked out at the dealer.

While both the Fit and the Yaris are built in Japan and exported to North America, they won't be built there for long. Both Honda and Toyota are building new plants for domestic manufacturing.

For the Disappointed commenter: did you check your tire pressure? I bought a Versa Sport (auto) 3 months ago and was getting around 28 mpg - mostly highway - which was OK (a lot better than my minivan!). Then I found that my front tires were a little low and pumped them up to about 40 psi and my mileage jumped up immediately to almost 32! I'm finding that the engine power is slowly getting better as it breaks in as well. It has just over 3000 miles on it and I agree it's one of the best values out there in the US small-car market. It's roomy, quiet and it's fun to drive! It's a lot like a Skoda Fabia 1.4 I had a few years ago - except the versa is bigger and a lot quicker.

Please, forget about tires and other hints like such. They do affect mileage but only by very small amounts. The Yaris (my actual car), the Fit and all those new cars with small engines, are just too heavy this days, making gas mileage questionable in stop & go city driving.

Previous Commenter - wouldn't it be more helpful to give useful hints or informative advice to the Disappointed Versa owner for a marked mpg decrease like that? Or maybe even some data backing up your statement about small cars getting heavier?

Is your advice then "sorry, you bought the wrong car for city driving"?

For someone with already poor mileage who loses 2 mpg overnight, it's reasonable to suggest checking things like tire pressure, driving style or even a defective car.

In case of the Yaris, a little research data shows it is only about three hundred pounds heavier than it's predecessor, the Tercel, from 20 or 30 years ago. (2300 lbs. vs about 2000 lbs.) That's not a very big increase for a car that gives huge improvements in comfort levels, lower emissions, more power, and way more safety kit like ABS and airbags, etc.

In the Versa's case, it is heavier (abt. 2700 lbs.) than some of the others, but it is also marketed as a smart, small family sedan, not really as a city run-around mini with ultra-high efficiency. It's even marketed as a small luxury car in Japan.

So, are small econo-boxes really getting heavier, bigger and less economical? If so, is it a worthwhile trade-off?

Just bought a 2008 versa s hatchback 6 speed. It is much more comfortable than most small cars. Definitely has the best styling and safety compared to the Honda Fit and Toyota Matrix. But, Matrix and Fit have more cargo space. I wasn't seeking to purchase a car for hauling stuff but for everyday enjoyment. I agree that the mpg is not even close to the 26/33 it says on the sticker and reviews. This is a new car! It should be better at mpg than my 1990 toyota corolla coupe. I hope the quality last a long time with my car. The price is outstanding especially if you get the $1000.00 rebate and super low financing. Love it but the verdict is still out on the gas mileage.

I have a Versa S with the Value Option package (power windows, power heated mirrors, A/C, door pads, keyless entry, etc.) along with the conventional 4-spd autobox and aftermarket wheels/tires. The Versa's been a great choice for us, it meets all of our comfort, room, versatility and fuel-economy needs and does so with a lot more style than it's competitors - think Fit and Yaris. The Versa in reality is much closer in size and performance to the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe twins but costs thousands less.

One thing I have noticed about the Versa is that it's very sensitive to how it's driven. An aggressive heavy foot will exact a substantial consumption penalty. I just came home from a road trip where I decided to do a little experiment. On the way out, I drove faster than the flow of traffic, passing when I had a safe opportunity and not paying much attention to how I was driving, getting up to 135KPH at one point. This is something I don't normally do, so don't freak out ppl.

On the home stretch, I stayed within the limit, tried to anticipate what traffic was going to do and adjust for it - the difference is AMAZING, on the outbound trip the Versa gave me 11.11 kms/L which is about 50km's per imperial Gallon or about 30 miles - not very good at all. The return trip on the other hand netted me 18.6 kms/gal. which translates to 82 kms/L or roughly 50 mpg. Lightness on the pedals is the key.