The high gas prices of 2006 started a stampede to get fuel efficient cars into the hands of Americans. Honda with the new Fit, Toyota with the Yaris, and Nissan with the Versa were quickly in the American market. These are conversions of cars that cut their teeth in Europe and Japan, and they replace the now larger Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas and Nissan Sentras.

The Versa was developed as a Renault/Nissan car for Europe and now sits on dealer lots all over North America. It is an attractive, small hatchback that reeks of midsize car quality. Eerily quiet on the road, it offers a big car ride and good handling, with versatile load carrying capability. The 1.8 liter, 122 hp, DOHC 4 cyl engine is a sweetheart on the highway, and although a little noisy when pushed on the onramp, it gets up to speed with the traffic quite well. Expect a time of around nine seconds to get to 60 mph.

Nissan Versa

It is amazing how refined and quiet this engine feels while cruising on the freeway. Handling is good enough to get you through the twisties without feeling faint, but a sports car it is not. The exterior looks different, perhaps a little French from the Renault influence.

Pricing for the Versa starts at $13,000. The standard transmission for the S and SL models is a 6-speed manual, $800 buys a 4 speed automatic transmission for the S and $1,000 buys a very good CVT (continuously variable transmission) for the SL.

The interior is well finished, not like typical small cars sold in the United States. This tester has driven a number of small European cars in the last few years and has liked their fit and finish, their fuel consumption, and their crisp handling, and has often wondered why those cars did not find their way to the United States. The Versa is one that has.

The seats are large both back and front, with amazing head and leg room for such a small car. Unfortunately, when the rear seats are folded down for cargo use, they do not go the last step and fold up against the front seats for a flat floor. Maybe next year’s model will add this useful feature.

Small cars are never as safe as larger cars. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the Versa a 5 star rating for side impacts and side airbags and head protection side air curtains are standard on these models. ABS braking is available on the S and the SL as a $250 option.

The lack of cruise control on the S model will limit its appeal to some buyers; fortunately it is standard on the SL.

The standard stereo system in the S model sounded good in this small car, and one can easily imagine the improvement with the SL’s audio that includes a six-disc CD, MP3, subwoofer and extra speakers.

Fuel consumption is in small car territory with 30 city/34-36 highway for the SL. The CVT transmission gives the best mpg, better than the stick shift or the automatic.

The mainstream warranty offers 36 months or 36,000 miles, bumper to bumper, and 60 months or 60,000 miles for the power train. Rust is covered by a lifetime guarantee.

An optional $700 power package for the S model buys power door locks and power windows, with a remote entry key fob and glove box light. All of these are standard on the SL.

An optional audio package with upgraded speakers with a subwoofer costs $300 for the SL, satellite Sirius or XM radio costs $300, a $700 convenience package for the SL buys Bluetooth wireless, remote control engine start, a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio touch controls, a $700 sport package has fog lights, front and rear spoilers and lower body side sill extensions for the younger crowd. A sunroof for the SL costs a mere $600.

It is really encouraging to find at least the Japanese companies getting serious about offering a practical safe small car that is not tinny and cheap looking and feeling. The Versa is made in Mexico, but it really no longer matters where cars are made. Quality is built in to the management philosophy so that anyone in the world can build a fine car.

Take a trip to Mossy Nissan in Oceanside, which loaned a car for testing, or your favorite Nissan dealer. For those looking for a small, well-made and affordable car, a test drive is in order.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.