Nissan Versa

The versatile interior of this car is where the Versa ultimately gets its name. Above all else, its spacious and roomy packaging makes it a very practical and appealing vehicle. Especially with respect to legroom for rear passengers, as well as overall shoulder room. And the rear seat offers a convenient 60/40 split folding feature for several passenger/cargo configurations. Fold both seats down for maximum cargo space of 50 cubic feet, volume that would rival some mid-size cars. It swallows up the Fit’s respectable 41.9 cubic feet, and almost doubles the Yaris’ very limited 25.7 cubic feet.

The cabin, itself, is clean and simple. Some would even call it boring. Nissan insists on using middle-of-the-road materials, which results in a cheaper feel throughout (knobs, controls, steering wheel). This is very noticeable when you compare the Versa to the Yaris’ refined and upscale interior.

Seating, however is well-padded with good support, offering excellent visibility up front. To boot, there are plenty of available commuter-friendly extras like a Rockford Fosgate stereo system, MP3 capability, Bluetooth, and cruise control.

Passenger safety comes from six standard airbags: front, side, and head curtain. The Versa has earned a four-star rating (out of a possible five) for head-on collisions, and five stars for side-impact safety, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.