by Martin Swig

Price Paid: $13000.00
Review Date: July 13, 2010
Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for: 2 1/2 years

Summary:
After more than two and a half years and 30,000 miles of Versa ownership, I was happy to see that the rest of the world is recognizing this superb car. I’m referring to June 2010 sales of new cars in the sub-compact / small hatch category. Versa was at the top of the list, outselling Kia Soul (2nd), Chevrolet HHR and  Aveo, also Dodge Caliber, Hyundai Accent, Mini, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Scion xD.

Mine arrived in March, 2008. It’s the base hatchback, 1.8 with four speed auto trans. It cost $13000 on-the-road, less than its principal competitors.

But it’s a lot more car, combining the virtues of French car comfort, Nissan bulletproof-ness and quality construction/finish, and a low price due to its Mexican origin. You may be surprised at the reference to the French, but for years the various Renaults, Peugeots and Citroën have had a unique combination of broad seats, commodious interiors and supple, controlled suspensions unlike the cars from any other country. Their failing has often been a certain fragility and indifferent finish. The Nissan Versa, related to the Renault Megane thru the Nissan-Renault alliance, gets those good French qualities, while stepping up to Nissan quality standards.

What you don’t get for the bargain price is style. This is a bland car, but at least everyone knows you’re not trying to impress them.  But the car impresses its owner every day with it refinement, ease of operation, and effortless performance.

The best test was a 4200 mile trip from San Francisco up into remote Alberta and British Columbia. On the traffic-free roads, it was happy to run endlessly at 100 mph, at a relaxed 4000 rpm.  In mountainous country, the ample power, and a lo-o-ong third gear made rapid progress good fun. In fact, at full throttle, the 3-4 upshift only occurs at an indicated 101 mph. Maximum speed is very near 120 mph, with low, almost Audi-like wind noise.

So in a class of cars often regarded as around-town runabouts, this Versa can tackle the open road with the best, while respecting your pocketbook.

Strengths:
Low price tag, Nissan quality, reliability, excellent fuel economy, tall 3rd gear, open road chutzpah

Weaknesses:
Styling more bland than a low sodium, low-fat rice cake snack

Cars Similar in Class to the Nissan Versa:
2011 Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Aveo/Aveo5, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Kia Rio/Rio5, Scion xD, Suzuki SX4

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A huge thank-you to Martin Swig for contributing his review of the Nissan Versa. Martin Swig has his own column in the San Francisco Nob Hill Gazette called “Wheels” and writes articles for the Southern California Automotive Calendar of Events magazine. Martin also presents the internationally-celebrated California Mille and other historic car events.

by Martin Swig

Price Paid: $17000.00 from Ann-Arbor dealer
Review Date: July 1, 2010
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for: 3+ years

Summary:
In late 2006, my son entered his freshman year at the University of Michigan. He went there carless, but we decided he should have wheels after his first semester. We set a price limit of $15000, decided to buy new rather than used, and narrowed our choice to three vehicles: a VW Rabbit, Suzuki SX-4 or a Subaru Impreza (which broke the price barrier by $2000) We easily eliminated the Rabbit; no all-wheel drive for Michigan snow. We bypassed the SX-4, though not so easily. In fact I later bought one of those for myself.

The Impreza was delivered through the Ann Arbor dealer. Now, at three and one-half years and 50,000 miles, I think we’re in a good position to assess the car.

Nearly half the miles have been accumulated on Ann Arbor-Sausalito road trips, most of which I’ve accompanied my son on. We typically seek out an interesting route with a good proportion of two-laners, seeing the real America. We always carry a Valentine One radar detector. It is as dependable as the Subaru.

I should mention that my everyday car is an Audi S5, a car that I think is damn near perfect. So the Subaru doesn’t get a free ride in this assessment.

The Audi is obviously a much more attractive car, and the interior looks miles better. But after a 900 mile day, the Subaru is just as comfortable.

It is also, effectively, just as fast. What I mean by this is that there are speeds you don’t want to exceed because if you get caught, there’s the threat of being jailed. Even with the Valentine, the maximum effective speed on Interstates is around 100 mph. On remote two-laners, the 122 mph Subaru can happily maintain 110-115. In each case you have to be plenty alert to avoid trouble. For example, when you crest a rise, it’s wise to be under 100, so that if you spot something, you can scrub off enough speed to avoid trouble, legal or otherwise.

The Subaru’s brakes, suspension, and steering, along with good acoustics combine to make it a subtlety extraordinary car.

We’ve covered 301 miles in three hours, 109 miles in one hour, 500 miles in six hours. Hard to better those figures no matter what you’re driving.

We’ve also crossed Nebraska in blizzard conditions, when the locals were sliding into the Armco, or spinning out into the median.

This has been a zero defect car; not one problem during all these adventures.

I’ve owned and driven lots of more costly cars, but never a better one.

Strengths:
Incredible value, autobahn performance and comfort without the European price tag, zero defects, AWD

Weaknesses:
Bland styling

Cars similar to the Subaru Impreza:
Dodge Caliber
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Versa
Suzuki SX-4 Crossover
Volkswagen Rabbit

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A huge thank-you to Martin Swig for contributing his review of the Subaru Impreza. Martin Swig has his own column in the San Francisco Nob Hill Gazette called “Wheels” and writes articles for the Southern California Automotive Calendar of Events magazine. Martin also presents the internationally-celebrated California Mille and other historic car events.

Official website for Subaru of America – www.subaru.com

Review by contributing editor, Martin Swig

Many reviewers have been lukewarm toward the Suzuki SX4. I don’t understand that, and neither does my friend, Denise McCluggage of Autoweek. We each own one, love it, and rate the car VERY highly.

I bought an SX4 that had been heavily breathed-on by RoadRace Motorsports of Sante Fe Springs, CA. A Ronal wheel, plus tire and suspension package, and a turbo package make for a quick and stable trackday car that is still a tractable everyday street car. The carbon-fiber hood adds visual drama.

This car came into our two-driver, five car family about a year ago. The other cars are: a Cayman (wife’s car), a 2008 Miata softtop, an Audi A4 Avant Quattro 3.0 six speed, and an Audi S5 6-speed. The SX4, then, is the least costly in our little “fleet”. It has also proven to be the most useful, and most used of the five cars. Obviously a gem around town, it’s also a joy on any type of road. Great canyon carver, and relaxed 90 mph freeway cruiser (with old faithful Valentine One)

I spent a week with a box-stock 2010 SX4 fwd with CVT tranny. Liked it just as much, in a calmer way. The beauty of the car, beyond its efficient, tasteful Giugiaro design, lies in its tall, narrow stature, providing comfortable seating, great visibility, and a sense of precise driver control. By the way, I don’t understand the sedan variant; to me it looks dorky, and offers NO benefit over the 5-door hatch.

So why doesn’t Suzuki sell better? They are well priced, super durable and bulletproof, and a hoot to drive, all with plenty of practicality. But until recently, General Motors owned a minority interest in the company, and did some of their famous badge engineering, slapping the Suzuki name on some sub-par GM/Daewoo Korean products for sale in the US. GM got a bunch of sales, with low prices, EZ credit, etc. People who bought these erzatz Suzukis rated them poorly. The brand name was hurt. Now, Suzuki has dumped GM, and the sub-par cars.

Recently, Suzuki announced the Kizashi sedan, a sort of bargain price A4 that is a charmer. They also announced that Volkswagen bought a share in Suzuki. VW acknowledged that Suzuki’s expertise in small cars, and market strength, as evidenced by their market leadership in India, were the factors that attracted them.

I think Suzuki has a bright future!

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A huge thank-you to Martin Swig for contributing his review of the Suzuki SX4. Martin Swig has his own column in the San Francisco Nob Hill Gazette called “Wheels” and writes articles for the Southern California Automotive Calendar of Events magazine.

Suzuki SX4 Photo Gallery	Suzuki SX4 Specs
Official website for Suzuki cars, trucks and crossovers – www.suzukiauto.com