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2012 Nissan Versa

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I had some hope for this after seeing the overseas Tiida Hatchback version.
But this sedan is horrible. In so many ways.
The interior is ghastly to say the least.

Looks like the Versa will retain its “Ugliest car in the US market” crown for a while.

I am sure more upscale versions of the hatchback are better. But the one picture here is horrible.
Even for the $11 000 asking price.

The smaller 1.6 liter engine gets 30MPG in the city, but only 37 on the highway. Which is less than larger cars like the Elantra or Focus.

Conversation 37 comments

  1. Agree with your comments, Vince. This "new" car looks like a '90s car from China inside and out. Honestly, there is no way it could be worse. Even Honda with its stuck-in-the-mud styling has this beat by at least a decade.

  3. Well, it gained a decade. The "old" Versa looked like a car from the 80's… Anyway, what is going on at Nissan? Have they looked at the competion lately? Or is this the Logan from Nissan?

  12. Okay.

    Wow. After seeing the Tiida, I was super-geeked about the unveiling of the new Versa. Now I'm crestfallen.

  13. Yea it's ugly; but Corolla and (2012 Civic) are worse. On the other hand, the only thing that really counts in this class is a super-low price. Expectations are pretty low.

  14. With a few exceptions, it looks like the era of the Japanese dominating the automotive landscape is coming to an end. The Koreans (Hyunda/Kia) and some of the new U.S. products are KILLING them.

    And in the higher end, Lexus has slipped badly, while Infiniti and Acura don't seem to be winning over a lot of new customers beyond the ones they already had.

    And it's happening in electronics, too. Samsung TV's (Korean) are selling far better than Sony and Panasonic these days.

    What is Japan thinking??

  15. I kow it's cheap, it looks it. Looking cheap isn;t that bad, ask any female celebrity, but…looking cheap doesn't mean it HAS TO BE UGLY.

    Nissan could have designed a nice 3-box style body ala Datsun 510 and would be much nicer looking than this.

    LOL @ Droopy Diapers.

    The Hatch tho is SWEET!!!

  17. "Januarius said…
    Truly horrid I agree. however for 11,000 show me a better car

    April 20, 2011 1:51 PM"

    The current Accent is better than this, and I'd still rather have it.

  18. Note to Nissan, small cheap cars don't have to be ugly. Check out the Kia Rio a few images below. I just don't get it, good design does not cost more!

  19. But see the thing is, it does not matter what you guys say, because first thing none of you are about to buy this thing, and people who are in the market to buy this thing would care less about what you guys think about it, because you are not paying for it!

  20. is that hard for them to import Logan to US??? they are embarrassing themselves by making new design branded as "Nissan" … not good 🙂

  22. The Nissan Sunny has returned to the U.S. just not as a Sentra. That's what this new Versa Sedan really is, a Sunny. I sure hope Nissan is smart and brings over the new Tiida hatchback as the next Versa Hatchback. The new Tiida is a beauty, the new Sunny/Versa Sedan is not.

  23. I don't think the exterior looks all that bad, but good God that interior is awful. It looks like something out of a 90's GM product.

  24. Those tiny clown car wheels/tires scare me to DEATH!

    Nissan needs th throw in the towel and forget about this model….or at least the sedan. I see more Versa hatches around anyway…

  25. That interior might be on par with the current Aveo, and that is one of the worst things you can say about a vehicle.

    It is definitely a step backwards.

  27. The interior is somewhat average and the exterior looks like the first Toyota Prius (including the small wheels). But it will sell as it's not a bad car for 11k USD.

    Let's hope for the US the Micra/March (as the hatch version of the Sunny aka Versa) will be sold in the US as a more stylish alternative. I think it's realistic as the March is on sale in Mexico.

    The new Tiida looks like a car of the segment above. Maybe a replacement for the Sentra.

  28. The versa is the #1 selling car in it's class in the U.S Yes it outsells, Yaris, fit and the rest. The new one will only enhance this. Standard airbags, traction control and stability control for 10,990. WOW! is what everyone should be saying. Take it easy folks and settle down, this is not an aston martin rapide competitor you are judging. Nissan wins with this car….period!

  29. I like the current Versa with its angular styling, big windows and excellent all-around visibility.
    The upcoming Versa isn't as distinctive IMO.

  31. This thing is such an eyesore…How could a non-self-lothing human being come up with this thing? This must be French.

  32. wonderful looking car, very arrogant prejudiced comment saying "it must be french". What an ignorant blue collared american comment. The french have more class than all americans. Now, back to cars. Nissan builds rock solid cars, their partner renault builds rock solid cars. They have the world's most successful car unions going on. Nissan says the new versa sets new standards for efficiency, quality, value and good looks. I believe them.

  33. The French make a lot of beautiful and stylin' cars. This isnt one of them…. and they sure wouldnt claim it if it were. Nissan sells most of its Versa's in hatchback form. So this sedan design is really intended for the bizarre Asian car market. We just happen to be the (lucky?) recipients of a 'one-world' approach. I like the hatchback redesign though. I'd really like to see the Japanese bringing more of their mini's/A-class vehicles over (ie: rolling boxes). Subaru has a real nice Dex – a sporty rolling box. Unfortunately, we get the crap like Toyota's Scion line.

  34. "wonderful looking car, very arrogant prejudiced comment saying "it must be french". What an ignorant blue collared american comment. The french have more class than all americans. "

    Jeez JC, lighten up. The reality is that this car looks third-world, not French. The French (Citroen and Renault) are known for building quirky, bizarre and sometimes very ugly cars. Usually though, they have endearing qualities. But this car is just an awful throwback to the 80s, and not even worth arguing about.

  35. I saw it on Nissan's website. I like it from the front a lot better. Not so much from behind. But its not exactly a rolling abortion like Honda's CrossTour.

  36. "This works! said…
    The versa is the #1 selling car in it's class in the U.S Yes it outsells, Yaris, fit and the rest. The new one will only enhance this. Standard airbags, traction control and stability control for 10,990. WOW! is what everyone should be saying. Take it easy folks and settle down, this is not an aston martin rapide competitor you are judging. Nissan wins with this car….period!

    April 25, 2011 7:58 AM"

    Nissan sells the most because the Versa and the Altima rank #1 for fleet sales in their respective segments, not because they are being sold to private individuals.

    Their sales numbers are boosted by fleet sales which hurt overall profitability.

    Sounds like someone doesn't know a lot about business.

  37. If you don't mind can i save some images from your post. Let me clear why i want because i am a die heart fan of Nissan cars and this model is specially attracting me.

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