2016 Nissan Versa – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV Review – A good powertrain in need of a better car – The Car Exam

Drive the 2016 Nissan Versa SV Sedan long enough, and you’ll learn exactly what the plusses and minuses about the car as a package, are. Without further delay, here they are:

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Plusses: The powertrain in the Versa SV is surprisingly peppy and smooth. 109 hp., 107 ft. lbs. of torque, 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine feels more powerful and refined than the numbers suggest. Driving it up steep hills, for instance, is surprisingly effortless. The CVT Transmission takes excellent advantage of the engine’s power, and you quickly understand why a CVT trumps a conventional five or six speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is decent, as well. The lumbar support in the front seats is very good, rear seat room and head room are impressive, and trunk room is also more than acceptable. Braking and ride quality in the Versa SV Sedan are also adequate. Fuel economy is also respectable (31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway).

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Minuses: That where the plusses end: The rest of the Versa is lacking, and had the rest of the car been as good as the powertrain, it would be a winner. It isn’t. Other than acceleration and power, the Versa is not fun to drive–at all. Handling is sloppy, the driving position isn’t the greatest, the stereo system stinks, the interior plastics are subpar, and the overall styling exercise is awkward at best. It wants to be a Sentra or Altima in spirit, but it doesn’t deliver. This body style has been on the market for about five years now, and while it is much better than the Versa Sedan that came before it style-wise, it still looks out of proportion.

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Final Grade: if Nissan put the Versa’s powertrain in a number of small cars that aren’t Nissan, it could make them better–but it’s in the Versa SL Sedan, so it’s left without the proper vehicle that would help it shine and stand out against the competition. The 2016 Nissan Versa SV can only muster up a grade of C/C-. That’s too bad, because with some more effort, this Nissan could be so much better than it is now.

Base MSRP for the 2016 Nissan Vera SV: $15,580

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Kia Soul – 2016 – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

2016 Kia Soul – A Consumer and Car Exam Preview: Does it have soul?

The 2016 Kia Soul is an admirable part of the small CUV segment of cars that include the Scion iM, the Honda Fit, and more. The Soul had been around for quite awhile now, and it has proven its worth. Consumer and Car Exam did an extended test, but for now here’s a brief synopsis of Consumer and Car Exam’s findings:

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Rear – Consumer and Car Exam

The 2016 Kia Soul is a good car for long distance highway cruising–if you bring your own lumbar support along. It basically has none, and if you have a bad back, this could potentially be a big problem. Other than that, ergonomics seem pretty decent, the sound system is okay (the touch screen is a bit small, but the backup camera is very welcome for added safety) and interior room is good. There’s a large blind spot in the rear, so exercise caution when changing lanes. The ride soaks up bumps in the road very well–it’s not too soft, and not too firm.

Kia Soul – dash and front seats

Acceleration is adequate–it’s not a hot rod by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets the job done. Fuel economy disappoints, though: Consumer and Car Exam could average no better than 24 mpg in mostly highway driving. Driving conditions could influence fuel economy, though. Overall, the 2016 Kia Soul seems like a good, solid option for those drivers seeking a hatchback with acceptable interior space and decent engine horsepower.

Kia Soul – engine

Also, the 2016 Kia Soul had another nice surprise: a spare tire! What??? A spare tire? That’s right–an actual spare tire, not a fix-it kit. Consumer and Car Exam will add its extended test later for a more detailed look at the 2016 Kia Soul.

Kia Soul – spare tire!