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.

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After the operation
1. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground. 2. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly. - Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause skin cancer. - Try to avoid direct ...

Operating tips
-When the engine coolant temperature and outside air temperature are low, the air flow from the foot outlets may not operate for a maximum of 150 seconds. However, this is not a malfunction. ...

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models: Do not tow an AWD vehicle with any of the wheels on the ground. Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models: To tow a vehicle equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission ( ...