Nissan Teases 2013 Sentra

At the Beijing auto show, Nissan revealed a new car (above) that will be the basis for the 2013 Sentra. Nissan's compact sedan was last updated for model-year 2010, when it got a light refresh.

The 2013 Sentra marks the car's 30th anniversary in the U.S. Details are slim, but the Sentra SR teaser image (below) shows a more prominent deck lid and LED-accented taillights. The video showcases a grille in line with the 2013 Altima's styling, new fog lights and LED-accented headlights.

The Sentra is the third of five new vehicles Nissan plans to debut over the next 15 months. The redesigned-for-2013 Altima sedan will go on sale this summer, followed by the updated Pathfinder SUV and the new Sentra this fall. The Versa compact hatchback and Rogue compact crossover are next.

More details about the Sentra will be released this summer. Watch the video teaser below.

What's Under Nissan's Sheets?

Nissan is advertising that it plans to debut five all-new models in the next 15 months, giving consumers a glimpse of its future by showing vehicles hidden under sheets in TV ads and on billboards. So, what's under there?

Starting at the left is the Versa hatchback; its sedan sibling was unveiled last year so an updated hatchback seemed sure to follow. The hulking vehicle next to it has to be the new Pathfinder. There's no surprise there: The concept unveiled in Detroit was virtually production-ready. It forecasts the end of the Pathfinder's traditional body-on-frame architecture as well as some of its boxy, truck-like exterior styling cues. In its place are the curvy, fluid lines of a crossover. The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder goes on sale this fall.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Nissan Versa

The 2012 Nissan Versa does its job of getting from Point A to Point B, but this redesigned sedan is rather bare-bones, so it’s hard to get excited about it, according to Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. What consumers should get excited about is the Versa’s price. The sedan version starts at $10,990, which makes it the most affordable new car on the market.

2012 Nissan Versa Review

2012 Nissan Versa Sedan Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa sedan was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests and have an electronic stability system. To pass IIHS' roof-strength test, a vehicle's roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The Versa's roof can withstand 4.95 times its own weight.

The previous-generation Versa sedan received a Good frontal crash score, but only an Average rating in side-impact and roof-strength tests. Those scores still apply to the 2012 Nissan Versa hatchback, according to IIHS.

Recall Alert: 2012 Nissan Altima and Nissan Versa

Nissan is recalling 976 model-year 2012 Altima and Versa vehicles because the side curtain airbags may not inflate, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In certain cases, the propellant mixture used to inflate the bags may be incorrect. This could lead to the airbag not deploying in a crash and an increased risk of injury.

Nissan will notify owners starting Feb. 27, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain airbag modules for free. Owners can call Nissan at 615-725-1000 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2012 Nissan Versa

Nissan is recalling 36,608 Versa compact cars from the 2012 model year that are equipped with an automatic transmission because they can be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an interference between the shifter rod and the shifter knob is causing the problem.

If the driver shifts out of Park without intending to a crash could result. The affected vehicles were made between June 9, 2011, and January 13, 2012. You can find the vehicle's build date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

Nissan will begin notifying owners on Feb. 20. Dealers will inspect and replace the affected parts free of charge. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Nissan Versa Video

The redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa is now the most affordable car in America, now that Hyundai is charging more for its more upscale Accent and GM has replaced its Chevrolet Aveo for the sportier Sonic. That’s certainly a benefit for cash-conscious shoppers, and so is the Versa’s superb fuel economy. Still, you get what you pay for when you buy the Versa, according to Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays, who says the car’s cheap price isn’t as enticing as it would seem.

Naughty or Nice: Front Seats

What one driver finds comfortable in a front seat, another may deride as sitting on lumpy coal. Seat comfort is different for everybody, though features like center armrests and tilt/telescoping steering wheels help drivers dial into the comfort zone. We’d like to see those features in every car, but we’re not there yet.
 
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2012 Nissan Versa Fails to Impress 2009 Versa Owner

Driving the redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa sedan on Chicago's streets was at times an annoying experience. On the highway, it was downright nerve-racking. As a 2009 Nissan Versa hatchback owner, I was surprised by how much this inexpensive car's driving experience had changed with its redesign.

Along with a new look, the redesigned sedan has a continuously variable automatic transmission. Generally, I don't mind CVTs, but the Versa's transmission made a loud droning noise that was grating. When zipping around Chicago's neighborhoods, which are littered with four-way stops, the CVT whined and complained as I motored away from every stop sign. My 2009 hatchback has a four-speed automatic that keeps the noise to a minimum.

2012 Nissan Versa Sedan: Car Seat Check

With a starting price of $10,990, the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is the most affordable new car on the market. Its low price point could have parents eyeing it for their teen drivers, but it can work for families with kids in child-safety seats. The five-seat sedan was redesigned for 2012, and it has ample room in the backseat, but installation wasn't trouble-free. Research the 2012 Versa here.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.