2012 Nissan Versa review

The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is about as compelling as an old dishwasher, but its fuel efficiency, roominess and unrivaled value will get a lot of shoppers to overlook that.

Economy cars boast sharper looks and more features than ever, but they're inching up in price — frustrating anyone who wants cheap wheels above all else. There's still hope: Redesigned for 2012, the Versa sedan starts at $10,990, making it the least-expensive 2012 model in the U.S. For around $14,500, it's the least expensive car with an automatic transmission, air conditioning and power windows. If a low car payment matters most, mark your calendar. The Versa goes on sale in August.

The sedan comes in S, SV and SL trims. All but the S have an automatic transmission. At a media preview, I tested the SV and SL. The Versa hatchback carries over from the previous generation for 2012, with a redesign on the way. This review covers the sedan, but if you want to learn more about the hatchback, our 2011 Versa overview gives a closer look.

See also:

Clock
The following display will appear after pressing the SETTING button, then selecting the “Clock” key. On-screen Clock: When this item is enabled (indicator light illuminated), a clock is alw ...

Bluetooth settings
To set up the Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System to your preferred settings, press the SETTING button on the instrument panel and select the “Bluetooth” key on the display. Bluetooth: Turn t ...

Trunk divider (if so equipped)
The trunk divider does not contain any secure locking mechanisms so it should not be used as a secure storage for valuables. The trunk divider allows for the creation of a hidden storage ...