Autoblog

Review: 2010 Nissan Versa lives life large

Dan Roth — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Nissan, New Car Reviews

2010 Nissan Versa SL - Click above for high-res image gallery

Small, affordable cars are like mushrooms. They quietly go about their business in the soggy bottom of the market, tolerated more than celebrated. Occasionally, the fungi mutates into a truffle, and so it is with this less-respected branch of autodom.

The Nissan Versa is no market newcomer. Introduced in 2007, it's trudged along unloved in the U.S. while faring better in markets outside the States as the Tiida. As with cuisine, some regional flavors are an acquired taste. The Versa hatchback has a decidedly "big in Europe" thing going on, with its distinctive shape and tall-hatch proportions. Taking into consideration Nissan's close relationship with Renault, the styling even seems Gallically influenced. We nabbed a pair of Versas, an S with six-speed manual and an SL with CVT, to see if Nissan's efforts are fetid or delicious. Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback

Continue reading Review: 2010 Nissan Versa lives life large

Review: 2010 Nissan Versa lives life large originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Nissan planning two $10,000 cars for U.S.

Chris Shunk — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Nissan

2010 Nissan Micra (EU market) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan apparently thinks America is ready for more $10,000 vehicles, and the Japanese automaker is gearing up to do something about it. Well, two somethings, really. Automotive News reports that Nissan's chairman for the Americas, Carlos Tavares, has gone on record with reporters at the Detroit Auto Show saying that Nissan is planning a pair of vehicles that will start out at around $10,000. AN reports that the vehicles will be based off of Nissan's new V platform, an architecture set to underpin the next-generation Nissan Micra subcompact (current model shown above), which is smaller than the Versa and not sold in the States.

Nissan already markets a sub-$10,000 Versa model in the U.S., although the value-priced subcompact comes without a radio or power windows. Tavares reportedly didn't want to speculate on equipment levels, adding "the only thing that we can tell you is that we will hold that price point."

Nissan will build the vehicles at an assembly plant in Mexico, and the plan is to build three V platform products for North- and South American markets, although only two of them will be for U.S. consumption. Tavares told reporters that a $10,000 price tag would be "about right," noting that "there are very few new cars sold at that price point in the United States."

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Micra

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Nissan planning two $10,000 cars for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Versa latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick awards

Chris Shunk — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Buick, Nissan

2010 Buick LaCrosse - Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time when the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety was the ball buster of safety standards, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Association gave out Five Star ratings like glitter at a gentleman's club. Times have changed and automakers have evidently picked up on what IIHS is looking for, and more and more new vehicles are receiving the top designation of "Good." To get the top score, stability control is the price of entry, and features like side curtain airbags can really help the cause. And unlike NHTSA's 35 mph impact speeds, the IIHS smacks concrete at a more impressive 40 mph.

The two newest members of the "Good" club cater to very different customers, but both have great safety chops. The 2010 Lacrosse is all-new for 2010, and the IIHS found the newest Buick very worthy in front, side and rear impact collisions. As you might expect, the Lacrosse comes standard with stability control and side curtain airbags.

The Nissan Versa has been on the market for a while now, and the 2010 subcompact has once again earned the top designation from the IIHS. The Versa scored well in front, side and rear collisions, and with optional stability control, it was able to fetch a top score.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

[Source: IIHS]

Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Versa latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments