2007 Nissan Versa 1.8 S

Small cars are making a big comeback, which is not surprising considering the price of gasoline these days. Nonetheless, many people still desire to own a car with a decent amount of interior space and adequate performance, all for a reasonable price, of course. The all-new 2007 Nissan Versa S ($14,915) arrives to meet those needs as an addition to Nissan's lineup and is now the smallest model they offer.

I was pleasantly surprised at how big the Versa feels. There is decent head room, and even tall passengers will find rear seat leg room as good as that in many much larger cars or SUVs. Handling is crisp and parking is a breeze. Initially, the Versa is only available as a five-door hatchback, but a sedan version will appear in Nissan showrooms later in the model year. Modern hatchbacks have improved considerably from the economy versions of the past and the Versa is no exception with a well finished interior that includes good materials and plenty of modern conveniences and safety features. The Versa competes with the lower priced Toyota Yaris and the more expensive Honda Fit, but it is slightly bigger than either. All three are designed with relatively tall rooflines for increased interior comfort and visibility.

Standard features include electric power steering, power-assisted front disc brakes, tilt steering column, 60/40 split folding rear seats with cargo cover, air conditioning with micro filter and an AM/FM/CD stereo system. Options are limited on the S but include ABS ($250), a rear roof spoiler ($350), splash guards ($110), floor mats ($150) and an aluminum kick plate ($90). A Power Package ($700) includes power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, door armrest pad and a glove compartment light.

Versa's versatility really shines if you need to carry some cargo. There's a generous 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place. Fold them down and you've got 50 cubic feet, which is almost as much space as you'll find in a small SUV. Part of the reason for the spacious rear cargo space is due to careful design of the rear suspension so that it does not have any struts intruding into the interior. Fuel economy is a big reason to take a look at the new Versa. Part of the reason the Nissan Versa delivers good fuel economy, 28mpg city/35mpg highway, is due to the use of the Xtronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT. Nissan first used this system in the Murano where it was so well integrated that some drivers never noticed it was anything other than a regular automatic. It delivers a much smoother drive as there are no gears or inefficient hydraulics involved. Instead, a series of belts are used to vary the drive ratio between the engine and the drive train. It works more efficiently than a traditional automatic, which is why the Versa equipped with a CVT delivers the best highway mileage. Around town it even has the same economy as one with a manual transmission.

Bottom line, the Versa is a large small car with good performance, excellent fuel mileage and the versatility of a small SUV.

Denis and his wife Jeanie live in Evergreen and own the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit store in Bergen Park.