But calling the 2014 Nissan Versa Note an entry-level
vehicle doesn’t really cover it.
Entry-level warrior is more like it.
Exceedingly popular.
Liberally appointed. Decidedly
affordable. And, oh yes, all-new for the
2014 model year.
My tester was the 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV, the priciest
among three trim levels, with a starting number of $15,990. To be fair, mine was extravagantly dressed up
with options to bring the bottom line to $19,545.
That’s still not a bad price for four-door, five-passenger
transportation.
Your second look at Versa Note window sticker, after noting the
price, likely will fall on the fuel economy numbers. And those should be pleasing to you – 31
miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Those numbers come from a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine
rated at 109 horsepower. OK, that’s not
going to get your heart racing, but then again, that’s not the purpose of this
car. Buyers want affordable, reliable
transportation with a fair amount of perks.
And that’s what you get.
Having said that, the Note’s performance is actually pretty
fair. My Versa scooted along in the
dicey urban jungle and held its own on the interstates, and for most of us,
it’s hard to ask much more than that in a small entry-level car.
Nissan engineers said they worked mightily to reduce the
car’s overall weight, and it shows in the steering, which is instantly
responsive and light to the touch.
Styling is what I’d call saucy Euro, with road rally racer
lines on the front end and a sculpted Euro chop on the back end. For my money, a good look.
The standard package is nice, and the Technology Package
goes above and beyond the call in this class, including heated side-view
mirrors, a 360-degree “Around View Monitor” and a nifty navigation system.
And surprise, back seat space is pretty darn good at 38.3
inches of legroom. Yeah, an NFL
linebacker might feel crowded back there, but other adults should find the ride
comfortable.
A new car for a new year. And it feels just right to me.
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