By pricing the all-new, well-equipped and interestingly designed 2014 Nissan Versa Note starting under $14,000, Nissan sent a signal that it is serious about the compact car segment.
For some time, many industry experts argued that the Japanese nameplates have given up on small cars. Kia, a South Korean brand, for example, have seemingly up the ante ten fold with their Audi-esque design, solid interior and appealing engine performance.
Nissan answered right back at the Kia Rio with the new Versa Note.
The new Note comes with a long list of standard and safety features, and the car just looks and feels cool. If the available features like the Easy-Fill Tire Alert and Around View Monitor are added, a compact car buyer could still drive off the dealer lot at around $18,000, with many of the options that used to be available only on cars costing at least twice as much.
Despite the tepid powertrain, Nissan may have a winner with the Versa Note, as it is one of the most efficient, utilitarian and appealing compact cars the company launched in a long time.
And the car does not try too hard to be overtly funky, either.
Watch Nissan Versa Note video.
Engine:
1.6-liter 16-valve DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque
Transmission:
5-speed manual transmission or next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Drive Configuration:
Front engine, front-wheel drive
Wheels/Tires:
15-inch steel wheels with full covers and 185/65HR15 all-season tires or 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55HR16 all-season tires;
Low rolling resistance tires on CVT-equipped models
Suspension:
Independent front strut, torsion beam rear axle, front and rear stabilizer bars
Braking:
Power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes with standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist
Steering:
Electric power steering
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches
Length: 163.7 inches
Width: 66.7 inches
Height: 60.5 inches
Coefficient of drag:
0.298 (CVT-equipped models)
Seating Capacity:
5-passenger
Exterior Features:
Sporty, energetic exterior design;
Steeply sloped front windshield, sculpted front doors and aerodynamic character lines;
Available Active Grille Shutter for improved aerodynamics and enhanced fuel economy (CVT-equipped models);
Large multi-reflector halogen headlights, rear combination lights with aero flares for improved aerodynamics;
Available fog lights;
Available heated side view mirrors;
Nissan PURE DRIVE™ badge
Interior Features:
Smart, user-friendly five passenger interior with innovative utility features and available advanced technology;
Large total interior volume – 115.5-cubic feet, best-in-class cargo space of 21.4 cubic feet, innovative Divide-N-Hide Adjustable Floor (rear cargo adjustable floor board);
Fine Vision instrumentation;
Available heated front seats, standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat