2014 Nissan Versa Note at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Chevrolet Sonic, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent
• Looks like: Nothing like a Versa sedan
• Drivetrain: 109-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder; five-speed manual or CVT
• Hits dealerships: Summer

Nissan redesigned the Versa as a budget-conscious sedan for 2012. Journalists seemed to despise it, but buyers snapped it up. The next step for the company is the new Nissan Versa Note, replacing the Versa hatchback. A more premium entry than the basic Versa sedan, the Versa Note is aimed at younger buyers and features a host of connectivity functions as standard equipment. The Versa Note also has more dramatic styling aimed to appeal to a flashier audience.

More 2013 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Underneath the skin, this is still a Versa, however.

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.

2010 Nissan Versa Still Under $10,000

Nissan has tweaked the look of the Nissan Versa sedan and hatchback for the 2010 model year, but it hasn’t changed the price much at all. The base sedan remains $9,990 before a $720 destination charge. All sedans see their prices carryover from 2009 while the hatchbacks get a $40 bump.

There isn’t much new content in most trim levels, but if you move up to the top-of-the-line SL — $16,100 and $16,530 for the sedan and hatchback, respectively — they now come with standard stability and traction controls as well as an iPod interface. The SL also features a different sports bodykit standard for 2010.

The SL comes with a new 5-inch integrated navigation system, which is just $610. While the 2010 Versa is hitting dealers now, the navigation package won’t be available until 2010.  

Full pricing can be found below along with option packages. 

2009 Nissan Versa Video

As a small hatchback, the Nissan Versa offers a lot more room than you would think from just looking at it. At least it does according to Cars.com’s Mike Hanley, who takes the Versa for a spin in this video review. Hanley acknowledges this is an affordable little car, but does the Versa provide any bang for the buck, or is the low sticker price its only attraction?

How Much Does a $9,990 Nissan Versa Really Cost?

Good news for cash-strapped buyers: Nissan’s sub-$10,000 Versa doesn’t scrimp on the safety features that gave it top Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-test ratings. The 107-hp car only comes as a sedan — you can build it at Nissan’s consumer website — and we’re pleased to note it still has six airbags and active head restraints.

Other shoe, now dropping: It forgoes a stereo, downsizes the wheels and adopts black plastic mirrors and door handles. It’s got crank windows and manual door locks, too – same as the entry-level trims on competitors like the Toyota Yaris and Kia Rio – while A/C is a $1,000 option. Driver adjustments are old-school: The steering wheel tilts, the chair moves only forward or back. A driver’s seat height adjustment? Cruise control? Fuggedaboudit.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard. Upgrading to the automatic costs $1,000 but first requires you to add A/C, and at that point you’re spending $12,000. Antilock brakes run an affordable $250 regardless of other options — a nice touch, considering some competitors require you to move up to higher trim levels to get ABS. Oh, and audiophiles do have some recourse: There are four speakers and stereo pre-wiring so you can throw in an aftermarket unit on the cheap.

The Versa 1.6 goes on sale later this month; more details below.

The Cheapest Car in America: 2009 Nissan Versa

The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo5 had few trophies to its name, but one was the dubious distinction of being the cheapest (or most affordable) new car in America. But 2009 brings many new contenders; up until this morning the Hyundai Accent was the cheapest car, but now Nissan has announced its rock-bottom entry. The new Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan is the cheapest new car in the States, with an MSRP of $9,990. That beats the Accent by around $1,000 and the Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio and Chevy Aveo by $2,000. The price excludes a $695 destination charge.

The new Versa is powered by a 107-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder. That’s 15 hp less than the regular Versa 1.8, but it’s still competitive. The new Versa comes with a standard five-speed manual and has an optional four-speed automatic for $11,990. Gas mileage is up from the regular model, to 26/34 mpg city/highway in the manual and 26/33 with the automatic. That’s competitive with everything in the economy segment except the Yaris and the Smart ForTwo.

At this price, Nissan makes air conditioning optional, for $1,000. It’s standard on the other Versas, as well as on the 1.6 Versa with the automatic transmission. There are manual windows, as well.

Not only is this now the cheapest car, but with total passenger volume exceeding its competition, plus decent power and mileage ratings, you’re getting what appears on paper to be a high-value deal, with fewer compromises than the Aveo5.

Nissan Offering Zero Percent Financing on Five Models

Nissan has been offering cash back on its models sporadically for a while now, but the company has yet to really ramp up its financing offers the way some other companies have. That will change in November. Starting Nov. 4, Nissan will offer customers 0% financing for 36 months on its most popular models: the Rogue, Murano, Altima, Sentra and Versa hatchback. The offer ends Nov. 30.

What does that mean for buyers? Let’s take a Versa hatchback with a price of $16,210. Using our financing calculator, the difference in monthly payments between the current average financing rate for new cars, 6.6%, and a 0.0% one is about $40 a month – from $436.16 to $394.72 on a 36-month deal with $2,000 down for a total savings of $1,492. Obviously, the more expensive the car, the more 0% adds to the bottom line.

Nissan is also offering $199 per month lease deals on Rogue and Altima.

Check out a full list of current incentives on our Cars.com Incentives page.

End-of-the-Model-Year Deals: Nissan

It's that time of year again: Manufacturers need to make room on dealer lots for new 2009 models, so the 2008s have to hit the road, and that means more incentives. We'll be highlighting deals from a number of manufacturers, along with notes on which models will change substantially for 2009.

Like many manufacturers, Nissan is offering huge cash-back offers on its trucks and SUVs — the Armada and Titan, specifically — but is also offering a good variety of cash-back deals on other 2008 models. A full list of 2008 Nissan deals from our incentives page is below:

• 2008 Altima: $1,000
• 2008 Armada: $5,000
• 2008 Frontier: $2,500
• 2008 Maxima: $2,500
• 2008 Pathfinder: $2,500
• 2008 Quest: $3,500
• 2008 Sentra: $1,000
• 2008 Titan: $5,000
• 2008 Xterra: $3,000
• 2008 Versa: $800

Those offers are available across a variety of regions we tested, but as always, be sure to use your own zip code to make sure offers apply in your region.The deals are good through Sept. 2.

The Maxima is all-new for 2009, and you can read our coverage of it here. The Frontier and Xterra receive some upgrades, but they aren't as significant. Check out the changes here.

Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Nissan Versa SL Hatchback

In this week's reader review, Brad of Colorado gives the 2008 Nissan Versa hatchback his nod, citing its reliable handling, ample legroom and loads of cargo space. He also notes the very decent gas mileage and comfortable interior design. Read Brad's full review below. You can also submit your on reader review here.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Nissan Versa Sedan

If you’re watching your pennies, a base Nissan Versa sedan offers a lot of interior room for the money. We tested the more expensive SL version of the sedan, and the size of the car really surprised us. It’s almost as big as a Honda Civic or Mazda3. However, there were some hang-ups — mainly the uncomfortable seats. Check out the full review and accompanying video if you’re intrigued by Nissan’s low-cost four-door.

2008 Nissan Versa Expert Review