Versa in the Market

Extreme bargains are scarce these days, and Nissan deserves credit for keeping the Versa wallet-friendly. But the new Accent, Fit and Fiesta are cars you actually want to own — brand emissaries that leave a good enough impression for first-time buyers to stay in the family when it's time to buy the next car. If the new Versa is anyone's first Nissan, it imparts a brand that's big on value and practicality but short on drivability and perceived quality — far from Nissan's reality, but the Versa's flavor all the same.

Among entry-level cars, value is crucial. But, increasingly, so is overall appeal. Nissan hit a bulls-eye with one of those. I just wish it had hit the board at all with the other.

    See also:

    Silencing the horn beep feature
    Silencing the horn beep feature If desired, the horn beep feature can be deactivated using the Intelligent Key. To deactivate: Press and hold the and buttons for at least 2 seconds. The h ...

    Small children
    Children that are over 1 year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg) should remain in a rear-facing child restraint as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the child restraint. Forwar ...

    Interior light
    The interior light has a three-position switch and operates regardless of ignition switch position. - When the switch is in the ON position (1) , the front and rear personal lights will illumin ...