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What's Wrong With This Picture: Visions Of A New Versa Edition

by Edward Niedermeyer
(IC: employee)
October 11th, 2010 2:26 PM
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In this first look at Nissan’s 2011 Versa, we’re seeing a very different car from the high-roofed, gangly subcompact that has been dominating the B-segment sales charts all year. Which begs the question: should Nissan mess with success? With Kia’s Soul sneaking up on the Versa in year-to-date subcompact sales, will a sleeker sedan keep the Versa riding high, or will it lose out to boxier, more practical offerings?



Published October 11th, 2010 2:25 PM
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- Inside Looking Out The next 4Runner will be BEV.
- The Oracle This is a proper Italian red sauce turd.
- Carson D This isn't a notice of a wait time for 4Runner fans. This is a deadline for the opportunity to buy one new before they're gone. Whatever comes next, there is no possible way that it will be as good at doing 4Runner things as what is available today.
- Bkojote There's a lot "just right" with the current 4Runner, and having spent time in more contemporary equivalents for road trips, I completely understand why they sell a ton of these.Here's some topics that aren't super common among 4runner owners - excessive carbon buildup in the engine after 40,000 miles (Audi/VW), bent valves (Bronco) , failed oil coolers (Jeep), cracked engine blocks (Jeep), dead vehicles from OTA updates (Chevy Colorado), being stranded due to opening the door too many times (Defender), malfunctioning engine sensors (Defender, VW), dead batteries due to electrical system malfunctions (Jeep), unusable defoggers (Jeep), waiting for seat heaters to boot up (Subaru), randomly catching fire (Kia/Hyundai), crappy build quality (Ford, Tesla).The interior feels solid and rattle free, and everything feels substantial in the way a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Kia Telluride does not. 14 year run means accessories are plentiful and well sorted. The control inputs from the radio to heated seats to climate control work better than 99% of the cars you can buy new at this point and are dead simple and ergonomically satisfying. Even dynamically (I drove a model with the KDSS system to be fair) it is a surprisingly composed vehicle on mountain roads- it's far more civilized than a Bronco or Wrangler, and hell, it was far more pleasant than the past two peastant-grade Benz crapmobiles I've been in.So I get it- car journalist rags whine about how overly complicated and tech-heavy modern vehicles are while their substance is cost cut, but here's the literal definition of 'don't fix it if it aint broken.' . It's a trusty Ford Econoline in a world of craptastic Ram ProMasters.
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If the Versa becomes sleek and coupe-like and, as a result, dimensionally challenged, it's sales will absolutely crater. The Versa isn't the top-selling subcompact because it's stylish or sporty. I'd hazard it's the top-selling compact because it isn't stylish or sporty. It's roomier than a many fullsize sedans (back to front), rides better than many midsizers and gets subcompact mileage. It's the big-car experience that North Americans love, but in a small package. I could see the point of a sportier Versa sibling, alongside the mainstream models. Hey, maybe a crossover-ish sporty offering; a kind of Impreza Outback-like vehicle, only with far more bizarre styling. I can see it now, but I can't think of a name...
For the love of Christ, stop the stretchy headlights! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!