Luxury Cars Anna: 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback is a deceptive little vehicle

The 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback is a deceptive little vehicle. Deceptive because it’s not that little! From the outside, it appears to be quite compact, but from the inside it’s a whole new ball game. With enough head and legroom to seat five adults comfortably, best in-class horsepower and torque, and 504L (17.8 cu ft) of luggage space it’s no wonder these hatchbacks can be seen zipping all around town.

Introduced to North America in 2006 as a 2007 model, the Versa comes in both sedan and hatchback configurations. The Versa sedan features a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that produces 107 horsepower and 111 lb-ft of torque, whereas the hatchback gets a larger 1.8L 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC enhanced engine that produces 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. It’s interesting to note that the hatchback comes with the higher output of the two and the highest in its class, which sets it apart from its competition like the Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris and Chevrolet Aveo.

Going back to the outside, the Versa is quite pleasing to look at. And with an exterior colour like Matador Red, it’s hard not to notice it. Its front and rear fascia differ from its sedan sibling due to the addition of the Sport Package ($1,900) in SL trim; making it noticeably sportier looking. From the rear end, the “SL” badge indicates that the Versa comes well equipped with such features as cruise control, 4-wheel ABS-enhanced disc brakes, traction control, and P185/65R15 all-season tires on 15” aluminum-alloy wheels.

Under the “SL” badge is another colourful emblem that says XTRONIC CVT, which signifies that this particular Versa comes with the optional automatic Continuously Variable Transmission ($1,300), Nissan’s CVT that allows the car to be driven at optimal torque ranges for responsive acceleration and ideal fuel efficiency. Now, if you prefer manually shifting the gears, the Versa hatchback comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. No, it’s not a typo. It’s a 6-speed manual, another defining feature of the Versa.

Where the Versa also shines is with its drivability. It is very versatile, pardon the pun, and makes for a comfortable ride thanks to its front independent and rear torsion bar suspension. Parallel parking is also a breeze largely due to its large windows and the speed-sensing electric power steering. The Versa remains very stable at highway speeds too, and doesn’t feel like it’s going to blow over if there’s a little bit of wind.

Where I found the Versa needed a little bit of sprucing up is inside. I found the sea of black plastics on the dash was a little drab and uneventful. In comparison to the Honda Fit’s interior, the Versa has a way to go. On the other hand, the sea of black plastic includes much of the soft-touch variety, so it doesn’t feel cheap. Furthermore, because this Versa was outfitted with the Sport Package it had sport cloth seat trim giving it a little touch of flare. Not to mention the seats were pretty cozy to sit in whether up front or in the rear.