In the automobile world, there is always a certain amount of high-tension competition. Perhaps one of the fiercest rivalries of all is that between the economy cars. While there are a variety of models available, only a few rise to the top as ultimate competitors. In this case, the newbies on the market -- such as the newly designed 2007 Toyota Yaris and the brand new 2007 Nissan Versa -- rise to the occasion.
Toyota introduced the Yaris in 2005 to an audience eager to see the Echo’s vamped-up replacement, and it didn’t disappoint. There’s no doubt that Toyota’s engineers had go-karting on their brains when they dreamed up the Yaris. They aimed at having the best car in that particular class and, until the Versa, it may very well have been just that.
This year, Nissan introduces a brand-new, subcompact car to its lineup, bumping the Sentra up in the ranks. Europe may have the Micra, but we have the Versa and we’re loving it. With a hot, new look and great engine power for its class, the Versa has come into the ring ready to win.
Both the Yaris and the Versa are aimed at consumers who are looking for a compact car that still offers a great deal of space and a decent drive. They target a younger generation of buyers who are searching for fuel-efficient cars that are both affordable yet stylish. Both the Yaris and the Versa claim to do all these things well -- that’s precisely what they were designed to do. Let the competition begin…
Toyota Yaris
MSRP: $11,050Engine: 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-I 4 cylinder
Horsepower: 106bhp
Torque: 103lb.-ft
MPG: City - 34, Highway - 39 (automatic)
Performance - 19/20
I think all small, subcompact cars are made to perform well as it’s in their nature to do so. They’re agile, nimble creatures made to slip in and out of traffic with ease. I was able to overlook, and truthfully, almost forget that the Yaris was sporting such a small engine based on its street performance. It was quite peppy and always ready to go. The Yaris felt fast regardless of the numbers under the hood. Just on the thrill of the drive alone, the Yaris gets a great score for performance.
Exterior design - 17/20
There’s something very European about the Toyota Yaris, which makes its exterior design highly appealing. As the Echo’s replacement, Toyota definitely improved the look of the little five-door with subtle changes to morph the Yaris into a feisty little hatch with some serious attitude.
Perched on 14-inch wheels, the base-model Yaris portrays a refined, 21st-century go-kart to a tee: It’s a small car and it doesn’t try to hide that fact. That’s perhaps the nicest thing about the Yaris design -- everything is proportional and what you would expect to find on a hatchback. From the squat front nose to the sculpted backside, this Toyota’s got some serious style. It manages to catch your eye in all the right ways. For its European breeding and international good looks, the Yaris gets bonus marks. It’s not an overly interesting car to look at, though it is curvy in all the right spots, which is always a good thing.
Interior design - 5/10
There’s something oddly simple about the Yaris interior. Or perhaps it’s just plain odd. Just as it was in the Echo, the speedometer, tac and other dashboard dials are located in the middle of the dash, above the CD player. This unique configuration makes for a very bare-looking interior as all the major components get squished into the middle console. While the design of this cluster of technology is both futuristic and symmetrical, the space left behind the steering wheel is slightly unusual.
Now, some may think that Toyota’s innovation for such a futuristic layout and interior design should grant them high marks, however, placing a storage compartment behind the steering wheel and aligning your control panel in single file down the middle console just doesn’t cut it.
Sound system and goodies - 8/10
For those who like to customize their ride right from the get-go, the Yaris is the hatch for you. From its premium, decorative license plate covers to a basic first-aid kit, the Yaris accessory list offers just about everything. The extensive list of exterior modifications is great for people of the younger generation who may want to immediately upgrade its look, giving the car an instant attitude adjustment in the process. Others may simply be looking to increase their comfort and organization levels with the additional center armrest and cargo tote.
The sound system is where the Yaris loses those two precious points. While they offer such an impressive list of style improvements, they don’t have an upgraded, blow-your-mind-and-your-girlfriend’s-skirt-up sound system to pump up this little ride. It’s a little surprising after seeing the list of other items that can be added; color-coordinated floor mats, chromed muffler tip, interior light kit (which offers two LED bars beneath the dash and a LED-lit middle console), and sport pedals and shifters. It just doesn’t make sense that they would skip out on the sound system -- maybe they want to believe their engine is musical enough to entertain the driver.
Driving experience - 17/20
The Yaris is a fun car to drive mainly because of its size. It is able to weave in and out of traffic, maneuvering in and out of sticky situations is a breeze, and parking is a joke. Also, its low curb weight means that the seemingly small amounts of horsepower become immense, giving the car a great deal of pull. Toyota had such a loyal following with the Echo and they really needed to maintain that greatness with the Yaris. Overall, they did a great job.
It also offers a surprisingly comfortable ride, with great high-speed stability. The Yaris definitely has some sporty acceleration and the handling to match. While it’s not quite ready for the race circuit yet, as a daily driver, the Yaris is great. It’s fun and functional, as it’s quite good on gas. Oh, and let’s not forget the standard ABS -- something that is not often seen at the economy car level.
Bang for your buck - 15/20
The Yaris really is a great little ride. It’s ideal for the young buyer, yet not unpopular with the older generations. It really has something for everyone, with four options available in the hatchback edition and a new sedan version as well. The styling is fun, the interior is original, and for a small car, the Yaris has a surprising amount of interior space that should appeal to all as a great feature on its own.
Final score - 81/100
I have to admit, I was a little reluctant to like the Yaris at first, but once you take in its European good looks and get behind the wheel, you’ll realize this really is a little gem you just can’t ignore. Living up to the Echo has been no small task, but the Yaris has taken it on with a vengeance and may just pass its predecessor in the popularity sector soon.
Nissan Versa
MSRP: $12,550Engine: 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 122bhp
Torque: 127lb-ft.
MPG: City -30, Highway -36 (Xtronic CVT)
Performance - 10/20
Unfortunately, the Versa didn’t perform as well as I had hoped. While it boasts nearly 20 more brake horsepower and pounds per foot of torque over the Yaris, it just didn’t impress me at all. The added power was nearly unnoticeable. It lacked the Yaris-like pep. Perhaps the extra weight was to blame, but it almost seemed as if the engine were struggling at times, with an overly loud engine noise at higher revs. While it’s easy to drive, it’s also quite boring to get behind the wheel as it dwindles through the gears at a leisurely pace, no matter how forcefully you ask it to speed up. Had I not known the specs before stepping into the two vehicles, I would have said the Yaris was the faster car by far. The Nissan lost major points for its hyped-up, low-performing engine.
Exterior design - 13/20
No, it’s not a shrunken Quest, it’s the new Nissan Versa. I know, it’s confusing isn’t it? As a brand-new model in Nissan’s lineup, perhaps they should have taken a bit more time creating a brand-new exterior look instead of borrowing one that’s already worn by their van. They could easily be mistaken as the same car, save for the size.
And although there is zero originality in the Versa’s design, it works so well for the car in that it’s not unpleasant to look at. The elongated headlights, curved front grill and sloping windshield give the illusion of a much larger car. Adding to this fantasy of “big” are the geometric windows, boxy and angled, which take up much of the Versa’s side. Now a boxy shape does not promote speed or fluidity, and the Versa is just that: boxy. Something about the Versa brings to mind the ever-popular trend of knock-off fashion items -- without the class and brand recognition, of course.
Interior design - 10/10
That’s right -- a perfect score. It’s not very often something is perfect on any car, but I chose this opportunity to point out a well-planned, well-designed and overall pleasing interior cabin. The Versa is considered to be a part of the economy class. For this reason, you would expect the bare minimum for interior fixings and style. Well, not in the Versa: The interior truly has an air of class, sophistication and -- dare I say -- luxury. True, there is no leather, and no built-in computer system, but there are steering wheel-mounted controls, an attractive driving cluster behind the wheel and an MP3-compatible stereo.
Design aside, the sheer interior space of the Versa earns it full marks as well. It has, hands down, the largest interior of its class. Nissan claims that, from pedal to rear seat, the floor space is 80.1 inches -- that’s nearly 6 feet. That’s mind-boggling for a subcompact car.
As an overall package, the Versa looks to be in a class way above that of the Yaris. And it’s not that the Yaris doesn’t offer the same as the Versa, it’s just that the Versa’s package is so much more appealing. You may not believe in love at first sight, but you’ll definitely believe in lust at first sight as soon as you take a seat in the Versa.
Sound system/goodies - 6/10
I guess Nissan figured their Versa came with enough standard features to satisfy the average consumer. Unlike the Yaris, the Versa is not out to target the young, tuner generation, but rather is after the general public. Generic accessories such as a nose mask and splash guards are available as well as high-tech gadgets like the Bluetooth hands-free phone system and the intelligent key keyless entry.
While the sound system upgrades won’t make the earth quake, they will increase your in-car musical content: The Nissan Versa can be equipped with a Sirius (USA) satellite radio, but only in the 1.8SL version. This upgraded radio comes with a three-month free subscription, which definitely gained the Versa some bonus points. However, the lack of improved speakers, bass and/or amp, inevitably brought the Nissan down in this category.
Driving experience - 14/20
Although the Versa is in the “small car” category, it just feels big. Heavier than the Yaris, it seems to drive heavier as well. The handling is less than desirable -- perhaps the Versa borrowed more than its looks from the Quest. It’s almost as if there is no response at all in some instances; when pulling an evasive move. The large amounts of body roll, thanks to its higher stance, are a bit frightening.
While my high expectations quickly came crashing down, I did notice that the horsepower almost makes up for its lack of handling skills. It’s quite quick off the start and moves through the gears as one might expect from a generic vehicle. There is a certain sense of detachment while driving this car as if the driver is almost floating over the vehicle with very little control or feel for the drive at all. Nissan isn’t marketing the Versa as a sports subcompact car, and that’s a good thing, because it definitely is not that in any way.
Bang for your buck - 15/20
I’m giving the Versa the same score as the Yaris because it’s pulled ahead in areas where the Yaris failed and vice versa -- no pun intended. While the Versa’s drive experience was rather lacking, the interior finishing, styling and sheer size are probably its best selling features and definitely top the charts in my books. This new addition was set to impress, and it has done just that. It’s a good little car if you’re looking for functionality (without the fun), stability and a touch of class at a great price.
Final score - 68/100
I was actually surprised to see the final score and I had to go back over all my points just to make sure I got it all right. At first glance, the Versa is a great new addition to the Nissan family with its cool, “new” looks, large interior, fuel-efficiency and neat gadget accessories. But take a closer look -- and a drive -- and you quickly realize what the Versa is lacking. Don’t look too closely at the interior or you’ll fall head over heels and miss the important stuff. But, take her for a drive and it’ll reveal what you really want to know.
yaris wins by a distance
The subcompact car is taking the automotive industry by storm. So many little hatches are being introduced to the market that it’s almost like watching locusts take over the streets -- the little buggers are everywhere. Toyota had a class leader with the Echo and I think they took a huge chance replacing it with the Yaris -- if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? However, the Yaris is doing just as well -- perhaps even better -- than the Echo did, and Toyota should give itself a well-deserved pat on the back.Nissan, on the other hand, has taken the plunge into unknown territory in their North-American market with the Versa, and they seemed to have jumped in headfirst without really looking at the water levels. The Versa is an appealing car because of its novelty and its low price, however, it just doesn’t seem to be as infectious as the little Yaris.
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