ROAD TEST WE TAKE THE FUN NISSAN VERSA NOTE FOR A SPIN
Utilitarian simplicity is the 2018 Nissan Versa Note’s greatest strength
Hatchbacks used to be our thing. Canadians loved them, while American buyers tended to shun them to the point that manufacturers would sometimes send a hatch version into our market without bothering to ship one south of the border.
We were smitten. And why wouldn’t we be, with all that practicality in such a condensed footprint? And then one day, the crossover came in and kicked sand in the hatchback’s face. And just like that, we were all over this new one that stood taller, broader and bigger.
And that’s really a shame. Smaller hatchbacks can still be a good choice for many, with an easy-topark footprint, lots of storage and for most compact ones, prices that start under $20,000. That includes my tester, the Nissan Versa Note.
It begins at $14,498 in its base S trim, pretty much the lowest starting price among its compact-hatch peers. I had the mid-range SV, which starts at $16,998. Both prices are for a manual transmission; you must add $1,300 for a CVT. The top-line SR, which comes only with that automatic unit, is $19,698. Last year’s highest trim, the SL, doesn’t return for 2018.
The “Note” in its name indicates this is the hatchback. In a twist on the unusual U.S.-Canada relationship, American dealers sell the Note alongside a sedan version, which Nissan Canada dropped a few years ago. It was the cheaper of the two, and when the new Micra hatchback arrived in Canada (but not the U.S.) in 2015, its sticker was too close to the Versa sedan for the company to put both in the same showroom.
A vehicle that drops in popularity seldom gets frequent updates like the hotter sellers do, and that’s pretty much the case with the Note. For 2017, it just got styling changes over the previous year’s model, including a new grille and headlamp design, larger cupholders and more conveniently placed USB ports. The underlying bones are carried over, including the gruff little engine that’s soldiered on pretty much untouched for at least the past eight years, when it first arrived here in the Versa sedan.
But that’s where buyers have to assess needs and wants. It’s an older design, and it’s pretty basic and plasticky inside, but on the other hand, that helps keep the price down, and for many buyers, how much it costs is a major factor in the decision. The Versa certainly isn’t a great car, but it isn’t a bad one either. It’s also simple, with no need to page through computer screens to adjust the fan speed, or tiny buttons to tap to move the temperature. Some people might like their cars complicated, but I don’t, and especially not at 100 km/h, and that’s even more relevant for newer drivers who haven’t had a lot of experience behind the wheel.
The little engine gets you where you’re going, but that five-speed manual could use a sixth gear; at 100 km/h, you’re up around 3,000 rpm. Even so, during my week with it, I averaged 7.7 L/100 km, which was right on its official combined city/ highway fuel rating, and is more than a fair return at the pump.
The sole reason to get this transmission is to save yourself the $1,300 to move up to the CVT. The throws are long, and instead of snicking into each gear, it sort of meanders its way between them. Unless you really love shifting just for the sake of moving the lever, I’d recommend the CVT. That said, if you do get the stick, it is forgiving for those who are learning, although a hillhold feature would be a nice addition. There’s no feel to the steering, but it goes where you point it. Its Micra baby brother got all the handling fun, and that’s what I’d probably choose between the two of them, but it’s also a smaller vehicle and might not be enough for some.
The Versa makes the most of its compact footprint. The front seats are roomy, and while the cushions are just a bit shorter than I’d like, they’re still more comfortable than I’d expected. There’s quite a bit of legroom in the rear seats as well, and they fold down to give you more cargo space. The SV and SR trims include an adjustable-height cargo floor.
All models include air conditioning, heated mirrors and Bluetooth, but the entry-level S is pretty basic, with wind-up windows, no power locks and no cruise control. The midrange SV adds those features, plus a rear-view camera, keyless entry, cargo cover, heated seats, satellite radio, USB ports and Siri. At the top level, you also get touch-screen stereo, NissanConnect apps, a 360-degree camera and suede-style seats.
At a time when cars do everything but make your morning coffee, some buyers may ignore the Versa Note because of its simplicity. Quite frankly, I think that simplicity is one of its advantages. There are contenders in the segment that offer more, and you need to testdrive them, but don’t leave the Note off your list.