Nissan's New Heroes

Tonight, TV geeks across America rejoice as new episodes of “Heroes” return to NBC. Fans of the show are already familiar with Nissan’s not-so-subtle placement of a new Versa compact car in the program, but tonight the carmaker will actually give fans something extra.

Nissan will sponsor original online content from “Heroes” using NBC’s new “TV 360,” which will deliver character secrets and more information about the popular show. Nissan also sponsored a free iTunes download of the “Heroes” pilot episode in the fall. The deal with the surprise hit show is a bit better than Nissan’s summertime foray with NBC. The car company sponsored the online-only — and completely unheard of — “Star Tomorrow.” Something makes us think the “Heroes” tie-in is worth a bit more to Nissan.

[NBC Takes 'Heroes' To Web, MediaPost]

2007 Nissan Versa Sedan Same Price as Hatchback

Nissan has had an easy time selling the new Nissan Versa hatchback since it hit dealers over the summer. After an impressive showing in the latest round of crash test ratings, we don’t see the demand slowing. That means now is a great time for Nissan to start selling the Versa sedan. The company rolled out the trunk-equipped model last week and have priced the entry-level 1.8 S model identically to the hatchback, with prices starting at $12,550.

Full pricing can be found below.

New Crop of Subcompacts Crash-Tested: Nissan Versa Wins, Most Others Lose

Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its first study of the new crop of “mini cars” like the Chevy Aveo and Toyota Yaris. Its findings are quite damning for many of the models and the organization prefaces the entire study with the fact that overall crashes involving mini cars are twice as likely to result in death compared to midsize and large cars. This surely falls in line with the laws of physics, but it’s still jarring to read.

The IIHS tested six new mini cars and the Nissan Versa — somewhat larger but often considered in shopping comparisons, including Cars.com’s. Only the larger Versa received the IIHS’s highest ratings in all three crash tests. Two other cars — the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit with optional and standard side airbags respectively —  received the top grade of good in front and side crash tests, with the Yaris rating a marginal score and the Fit a poor score in the rear crash test ratings. The Yaris without optional side airbags — a $650 option — received the worst side impact rating of poor.

Four Will Enter, One Will Leave: The Final Two

Our first installment pitted the all-new Suzuki SX4 against the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent. We put the Accent and SX4 to pasture in round one, leaving the Fit and Versa to duke it out. Who’s the last man standing? Read on.