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:

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or blinks while the engine is running, it may indicate a potential emission control malfunction. The Malfunction Indicator Light may also come on steady i ...

How to select menus on the screen
Vehicle functions are viewed on the center display screen in menus. Whenever a menu selection is made or menu item is highlighted, different areas on the screen provide you with important in ...

Moving to a steep downhill
Moving to a steep downhill When moving the vehicle down a hill, the distance guide lines and the vehicle width guide lines are shown further than the actual distance. For example, the display ...