NEW FOR 2014:
- SL Tech Package adds NissanConnect with mobile apps and hands-free text messaging assistant
- SV receives standard Convenience Package
- S adds standard trunk light
- Reduced colour choices
If you’re looking for the least-expensive new car sold in Canada today, look no further than the Nissan Versa Sedan, which starts at just $11,898.
Sure, it’s not exactly a looker with its unusually bulbous nose and tacked-on trunk, but it’s cheap to run, seats five, and has an astronomically sized trunk. Driving dynamics are best described as “meh” with a ride that’s roly-poly and steering that’s mostly indifferent. Road, engine, and noise levels are high.
This will be the Versa Sedan’s final year on sale in Canada, as it’s slated to be replaced by a new subcompact hatchback. As such, there aren’t many changes to report of, other than an upgraded infotainment system with mobile apps for SLs with the Tech Package, and that the SV now receives last year’s Convenience Package as standard. The bare-bones S trim level also adds a light for the trunk. Equally bare-bones is the colour pallet – only white, black, silver and grey are offered.
The Versa sedan uses a 109-hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with dual fuel injectors. It comes with a five-speed manual transmission in the S trim level, with a five-speed manual or optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the SV, and with the CVT in the SL. Optimized for fuel economy, CVT-equipped models also get a rear spoiler and tire spats to help reduce drag and boost fuel economy to an impressively frugal 4.7 L/100 km highway.
Features on the S sedan include 15-inch steel wheels, black grille, black door handles, heated mirrors, trip computer, tilt steering column, cloth upholstery, four-way manual front seat adjustment, trunk light, and two-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input.
The SV sedan adds chrome-accented grille, gloss black B-pillars, chrome door handles, air conditioning, power locks with keyless entry, illuminated entry, power windows, front map light, maintenance reminder, cloth door trim, upgrade fabric headliner, chrome interior accents (door handles and handbrake), silver interior trim accents (steering wheel, dash, vent rings), electroluminescent gauges, passenger seatback pocket, passenger vanity mirror, six-way manual driver’s seat adjustment, armrest, height-adjustable front head restraints, upgraded cloth trim, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, trunk lid trim, cruise control, Bluetooth, and four-speaker stereo system with MP3 CD playback and steering-wheel mounted audio control.
The SL sedan adds 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, USB input, 4.3-inch display audio system, proximity key with push-button start, remote key fob truck release.
SL Tech Package adds 5.8-inch display audio system with navigation, apps, hands-free text messaging assistant, satellite radio, and reverse camera.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed