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:

Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). Do not rev engine into the red zone 1 . CAUTION When engine speed approaches the red zone, shift to a higher gear or reduc ...

MODE select switch (models without Navigation System)
Push the MODE select switch to change the mode in the following sequence. AM→FM*→SAT** (if so equipped)→CD***→ USB/iPod*** (if so equipped) → AUX*** → AM * When ...

How to speak numbers
Voice Recognition requires a certain way to speak numbers when giving voice commands. Refer to the following examples. General rule: ● Only single digits 0 (zero) to 9 can be used. ● ...