A shift in expectations of what an entry-level car can be

Introduction

2007 Nissan Versa

Nissan Versa — 2007 First Drive: Over the past few years, consumers have become more interested in vehicle affordability and efficiency. High gas prices, escalating unrest in the Middle East, and a hurricane-damaged domestic infrastructure are a few of the issues prompting many to shop in the entry-level segment. Other concerns include consumer debt reaching an all-time high, stagnant wage growth, and increasing evidence of global warming whether it’s caused by man-made activities or not. Combined, these realities are puncturing American ideals about how to live life, and small cars are back in vogue.

Times have changed, however. Whereas not so long ago buying cheap and small meant you got cheap and small, today it doesn’t necessarily mean either. Former entry-level cars such as the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla have grown in size, and no longer truly represent the compact class. Plus, performance-tuned models of each have also been developed, and, while geared for the small-budgeted enthusiast, these models sacrifice economy for horsepower. These developments have pushed entry-level price tags to all-time highs, leaving few models in the under-$15,000 class to choose from.

Fortunately though, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota aren’t neglecting the demand for entry-level compacts, which currently represents nearly 2 million units, or 11 percent of total U.S. vehicle sales. For 2007, the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris are poised to capture a significant chunk of buyers looking to go small. Among this new crop of compacts, the all-new 2007 Nissan Versa is worth a closer look, and you can check it out for yourself in five-door hatchback form this July, and in four-door sedan configuration in January of 2007. Nissan describes the Versa as a “plus-sized model at the upper end of the subcompact class,” but it clearly has the interior volume that you would expect in a larger vehicle.

Exact pricing has not been announced, although Nissan marketers report the Versa lineup will start at $12,000 excluding destination, likely as a sedan with the base manual transmission. With EPA fuel economy ratings up to 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the attractively-designed Versa delivers solid power with class-leading horsepower and torque ratings, a choice between three transmissions, comfortable accommodations with best-in-class interior space, and high-quality execution in a package that is both affordable and efficient.

The 2007 Nissan Versa arrives amid a flood of new entry-level cars from a wide range of competitors. Although impressive, prices at $12,000 will not leave the new Versa unchallenged in the market: credible alternatives include the Honda Fit, Ford Focus ZX5, Kia Rio5, and Toyota Yaris. Nevertheless, Nissan expects the five-passenger Versa to deliver strong sales as 16 to 20 million Echo Boomers (the off-spring of Baby Boomers) reach driving age between now and 2010, but also forecasts that this segment will broaden its appeal to a wider range of buyers. We expect that the Versa’s size, power, price, fuel economy, quality and long list of standard amenities including side-impact and side curtain airbags will bring a host of customers who will find that buying small can reap big rewards.

© 2007 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.

Going green doesn’t mean going hybrid

Introduction

Ford Focus – 2006 Review: What’s the point of doing a story about the Ford Focus, a car that is seven years old and sitting, unloved, in the shadows of hot new models like the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris? We think it’s an overlooked gem, a fun, functional, and frugal car, and an undeniable bargain that meets the needs of the times. Plus, like popular hybrid models that cost thousands more, the Focus gets good gas mileage by the EPA’s standards, carries a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) rating in California and New England, posts decent crash worthiness and reliability scores, and deserves your consideration. That’s why. And if you look in this Sunday’s newspaper, you’ll find that dealers are blowing these cars out the door for thousands off the sticker price.

Good thing, considering our fully loaded 2006 Ford Focus ZX5 SES test car carried a sticker price of $20,000, including the $545 destination charge. But our vehicle was the top-line trim level with lots of goodies; most Ford Focuses sell for well below that figure. Ford offers the Focus in a variety of styles and trim levels. Choose between a three- or five-door hatchback (ZX3 or ZX5), a sedan (ZX4), or a station wagon (ZXW). Trim levels for all styles are S, SE, and SES, with a sporty ST model reserved for the sedan. The least expensive S is pretty basic, including a manual transmission, 15-inch wheels and tires, and a stereo with a CD/MP3 player.

2006 Ford Focus ZX5 SES

The SE is the most popular model, equipped with power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and a center arm rest that improved comfort levels. Stepping up to the SES nets 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a tachometer, and body-color exterior trim. The performance-oriented Focus ST gets hardware upgrades to make it go faster and handle better, minor styling differences, heated outside mirrors, sport seats, and upgraded interior d cor. Major options on the various Ford Focus models include an automatic transmission, side-impact airbags for the front seats, a power sunroof, traction control, and an upgraded audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer.

Under the hood of the S, SE, and SES models is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 136 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 133 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm to the front wheels. In California and New England, the engine is rated PZEV, which means exhaust emissions are cleaner than some hybrid cars. The EPA says this engine will deliver 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission (32 mpg highway with the optional automatic transmission), which isn’t as good as most hybrids but then, the Focus is less expensive to buy in the first place.

A four-wheel-independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, front disc/rear drum brakes, and 15-inch wheels wearing 195/60 all-season tires (16s shod with 205/50 Pirelli P6s on the SES) complete the standard Focus picture. For added fun, try the Focus ST. Fuel economy is penalized by the Mazda-sourced 2.3-liter four-cylinder at 22 city and 31 highway, and you’ll need to know how to drive a stick since there’s no option for an automatic on the ST model, but the trade-off is 151 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 154 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. This engine does not meet PZEV requirements, frustrating since Ford first offered a 2.3-liter PZEV engine in the Focus way back in 2003, and it made more power than today’s ST engine.

The ST’s suspension is based on what used to be under the SVT hot-hatch of a few years ago, there’s a four-wheel-disc anti lock braking system, and it gets unique alloy wheels. We grabbed a Sonic Blue 2006 Ford Focus ZX5 SES for this evaluation, carrying a base price of $17,030 including the $545 destination charge. It came with an automatic transmission ($815), a Weather Package ($175 – heated seats and side mirrors), a Safety Package ($350 – ABS and side-impact airbags), traction control ($115), a perimeter alarm ($125), an Audiophile stereo with a six-disc CD changer and Sony speakers ($695), and leather seats ($695).

We could have lived without most of this extra stuff. At the end of our week-long test, it was clear that the European-designed and engineered Ford Focus has aged gracefully, but that the aging process is rapidly gaining speed. The car is still fun to drive and functional, though not as frugal as we anticipated. Also, despite the high price tag on our test sample, this car is still a bargain if you choose the popular SE trim level, definitely worth a look when the local Ford dealer is offering big discounts or low-interest financing. Clearly, however, given concerns about fuel economy, safety, and the environment, it’s time for Ford to refocus on the Focus.

© 2008 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.