Nissan Versa Sedan – Review: Deceptively large. Two simple words that we use to describe things like houses and girls whose headshots we saw on the Internet. They also apply to the 2007 Nissan Versa Sedan, an all-new offering that takes on the subcompact Toyota Yaris, yet with its more spacious cabin, actually garners a midsize classification from the EPA. But more than dimensions, there are quality materials and features often reserved for vehicles in a more expensive segment, an area the Versa Sedan encroaches upon quickly. Considering its placement on the lower rungs of the market, the as-tested price of $18,045 had us scratching our heads, wondering how such a small car could offer so much room and carry such a lofty price.

For this review, we drove an up-level 2007 Nissan Versa Sedan SL, a pre-production unit loaned from Nissan, meaning it was an example built for testing and evaluation and not for retail sale. As such, we didn’t receive a window sticker, so had to estimate the price of our ride. Starting with the SL’s base price of $14,550, we added $615 for destination charges, $1,000 for the continuously-variable automatic transmission, another $700 for the Convenience Package, $600 for a power sunroof, $250 for antilock brakes, and $300 for Sirius satellite radio. Tally it up, and you’ve got a grand total of $18,045.

Nissan will build you a capable handler if that’s what you want, but it’ll be carrying a Z badge. It will not be labeled the Versa Sedan. Just for curiosity and grins, we romped with the little Nissan four-door on one of our usual twisty road routes and found the suspension to be soft, the steering to be somewhat responsive yet uncommunicative through the steering wheel, and the Continental ContiPro Contact 185/65R15 tires to be serious squealers given the mildest of provocation. During normal driving, the soft suspension smoothes out rough roads, the steering’s light effort at slow speeds is a joy, and the brakes, always responsive and effective, are a selling point.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept

The Koreans rustle themselves up a rear-drive pony car. Hyundais nothing if not ambitious. What else but ambition could turn a company known only for shoddily m...

2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia - Previews

In case the F430 wasnt fast (or good) enough. The great thing about the 430 Scuderiaa faster, lighter, and even more compelling version of the F430 is that Ferr...

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Preview

Mercury's new 2006 Mariner Hybrid is what most people would consider to be a no-brainer. Fundamentally identical to the Ford Escape, which is available with a g...

2005 Mercury Mariner Preview

NEW YORK CITY, NY - Mercury is hurting. With the departure of the Cougar sport coupe and Villager minivan, the brand was down to four relatively undistinguished...

2005 Mercury Montego Preview

Mercury lands squarely on the family car game board with the 2005 Montego, the first competitive sedan for the company to sell since the original Sable debuted ...