This is a loaner from a local autobody shop (loaned from Enterprise Rental), a 2013 model year Nissan Versa note with CVT.
It has 19k on the odo, and reeks of smoke (previous drivers smoked inside the vehicle, apparently). It's auto with CVT, as plain jane as it can be, the console has backup camera built in, XM satellite radio (suspect that it needs subscription, but I don't care much for I only care about local over-the-air AM broadcast for traffics mainly).
Fit and finish: Door slam indicates that it's fairly well built: tight, no filmsy/hollow sound. Extra EPDM rubber weatherstripping and seals makes it a joy to slam the door, and it can rival higher end/higher priced Japanese compact cars as far as the slam feel's concerned.
engine: I think it's the base model (SV version?), definitely made in mexico, as verified from underneath the hood.
Ride (in the city): suspension is quite taut and fairly responsive, feels almost like a larger japanese car...close to that of Honda civic and yet better than that of those typical Hyundai lower-end automobiles about 4 yrs ago.
steering: electrically-assisted, decent steering feel, with no dead-spots in the middle like those the most recent corollas, or the dreaded elantra I rented several years back. Still not as precise/sharp as my Honda fit though.
on the road manners: engine noise is quite loud, significantly louder than that of my fit. idle shake is quite obvious, regardless of hot/cold engine.
Transmission: much better than that I've experienced with the original 1.8Versa CVT, less rubber-band pulling feel, but has some rather annoying lurching forward feel at times during acceleration, while other times it would be coasting around 1100rpm in da city. Rapid decelaration sometimes would lead to a mild rpm hunt, especially when it comes close to a complete stop (where the idle would suddenly dropped down to below 750rpm before it creeps back up to 750rpm and stay there).
It also has some rather annoying clicking sound occasionally when accelerating from a complete standstill.
braking is competent , but haven't try hard braking during highway speeds.
fit-n-finish: typically mexican quality: somehow, tighter fit 8 out of 10 than that of some korean cars. Quite plasticky on the dash and the rest of the compartment including door panels, feel cheep.
Q.
It has 19k on the odo, and reeks of smoke (previous drivers smoked inside the vehicle, apparently). It's auto with CVT, as plain jane as it can be, the console has backup camera built in, XM satellite radio (suspect that it needs subscription, but I don't care much for I only care about local over-the-air AM broadcast for traffics mainly).
Fit and finish: Door slam indicates that it's fairly well built: tight, no filmsy/hollow sound. Extra EPDM rubber weatherstripping and seals makes it a joy to slam the door, and it can rival higher end/higher priced Japanese compact cars as far as the slam feel's concerned.
engine: I think it's the base model (SV version?), definitely made in mexico, as verified from underneath the hood.
Ride (in the city): suspension is quite taut and fairly responsive, feels almost like a larger japanese car...close to that of Honda civic and yet better than that of those typical Hyundai lower-end automobiles about 4 yrs ago.
steering: electrically-assisted, decent steering feel, with no dead-spots in the middle like those the most recent corollas, or the dreaded elantra I rented several years back. Still not as precise/sharp as my Honda fit though.
on the road manners: engine noise is quite loud, significantly louder than that of my fit. idle shake is quite obvious, regardless of hot/cold engine.
Transmission: much better than that I've experienced with the original 1.8Versa CVT, less rubber-band pulling feel, but has some rather annoying lurching forward feel at times during acceleration, while other times it would be coasting around 1100rpm in da city. Rapid decelaration sometimes would lead to a mild rpm hunt, especially when it comes close to a complete stop (where the idle would suddenly dropped down to below 750rpm before it creeps back up to 750rpm and stay there).
It also has some rather annoying clicking sound occasionally when accelerating from a complete standstill.
braking is competent , but haven't try hard braking during highway speeds.
fit-n-finish: typically mexican quality: somehow, tighter fit 8 out of 10 than that of some korean cars. Quite plasticky on the dash and the rest of the compartment including door panels, feel cheep.
Q.