2011 Nissan Versa

The 2011 Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest cars available, but reviewers still find a lot to like considering its low price, making it the best-reviewed bargain-priced economy car. Starting at $9,990, the Versa offers considerable amounts of passenger space and comfort as well as a compliant ride. Both hatchback and sedan versions are available, though the cheapest Versa only comes in sedan form. For a little more money, the 2011 Honda Fit (Base MSRP: $15,100 to $16,860) offers frugality and fun that experts perennially rave about.

For 2011, the only significant change for the Versa is that antilock brakes are now standard on the upgraded base trim level. See our full report on the 2009 Nissan Versa for detailed analysis of what expert reviewers say about that model.

The base 1.6-liter engine in the Versa gets an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 combined fuel-economy rating with the five-speed manual. The four-speed automatic transmission delivers just 1 mpg less on the highway. The optional 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers a slightly lower 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway/28 mpg combined when paired with the manual transmission, and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined with the same automatic as available in the base engine. The top trim level is available with a CVT automatic transmission that increases fuel efficiency up to 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. While the Versa's fuel economy is decent, it isn't great for a subcompact vehicle. Newer competitors like the 2011 Ford Fiesta (Base MSRP: $13,320 to $17,120) are more efficient.

The 2011 Nissan Versa is rated well by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For front-, side- and rear-impact protection, the Versa receives the highest rating of Good. The Versa misses the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS because it hasn't yet been tested for roof strength. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has evaluated both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Versa. Neither fare particularly well in these tests, ending up with an overall rating of 2 stars out of 5. NHTSA gives the Versa a 3-star rating for frontal-crash protection and 4 stars for rollover resistance, but only 2 stars for side-impact protection.

All Versa trims come with front, side and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are standard on all but the stripped-down 1.6 Base trim level, for which they are optional. Electronic stability control is available as an option only on the more expensive 1.8 S and 1.8 SL trim levels.

The Versa's lowest 1.6 Base trim certainly is cheap at $9,990, while the 1.8SL hatchback version is the most expensive trim at $16,940.

An all-new 2012 Nissan Versa is expected to debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show.