Design 2014 Nissan Versa
It’s no secret that we’re not fans of Nissan’s latest Versa sedan, which was redesigned for 2012. It finished a distant sixth out of six in its only comparison-test appearance, and to quote from our stand-alone test of the SL model, “Rarely have we wanted out of a car so badly before we even made it out of our office parking lot.”
Subtle, eh? We’ve now driven its hatchback stablemate, the Versa Note, and the phrase that pops to mind is, “The same only different.”
How are the two Versas the same? Well, both are built on Nissan’s V platform and offer the same drivetrains. How are they different? The styling of the sedan is best described as dowdy, but the Note’s isn’t. We wouldn’t call it striking, but like that of Honda’s Fit, Ford’s Fiesta, or the five-door versions of the Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic, the Note’s exterior design has character. It also features aerodynamic tweaking, including active grille shutters, spoilers and air deflectors, a reasonably flush floor, and sculpted taillights that cut drag.
Engine 2014 Nissan Versa
It’s worth pointing out that the Note isn’t really the hatchback version of the second-generation Versa sedan, which is sold elsewhere in the world as the Sunny (both previous Versas were sold globally wearing Tiida badges). Outside the U.S., the Note is a stand-alone model and only adds the Versa badging here, which further explains the visual differences.
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door hatchback
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 98 cu in, 1598 cc
Power: 109 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 107 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 5-speed manual, continuously variable automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 102.4 in
Length: 163.0 in
Width: 66.7 in Height: 60.5 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 2450–2500 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 9.7–9.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 17.4–17.5 sec
Top speed: 115 mph
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