Ever since the Nisan Versa came to the U.S. back in 2007, the little car proved that cheap transportation didn’t have to be so dreary. While it’s no GT-R->ke1592 in terms of styling, the sedan and hatchback versions of the car sold well. In 2013, Nissan revamped the Versa for its second generation and added the Note name to designate the Hatchback version from the sedan->ke142.

Now for 2015, Nissan->ke62 is adding a little more spice with the SR trim package on the Versa Note hatchback. While nothing changes mechanically, the SR trim does bring some sportiness to the car’s interior. Things like a new leather-wrapped steering wheel, suede look-alike material on the seats with orange accent double stitching. A refreshed center instrument panel is finished out in piano black plastic with silver accents and chrome knobs. It also gets a Fine Vision three-dial gauge cluster with a floating trip computer.

The SR sport trim package is also joined by the new top-of-the-line SL trim package for 2015, rounding out the S, S Plus, and SV trim lines.

The Versa Note SR represents Nissan’s up-marketing of the Versa in response to the stiffening competition. Cars like the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Spark, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris are all strong in the segment. The argument gets even easier to debate once IIHS ratings are taken into account, with the Spark earning the relatively best score of the bunch.

Updated 05/28/2014: Nissan announced today prices for the new Note SR - the latest addition to the current Note lineup. The SR version will be priced from $17,530 and it will add a series of unique exterior and interior treatments, like sporty front and rear fascias and grille, dark headlight surrounds, fog lights, rear spoiler, suede-like seats and 16-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR.

2015 Nissan Versa Note SR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 109 @ 6000
  • Torque: 107 @ 4400
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Versa Note doesn’t look half bad in its new SR trim. Bright alloy wheels measuring 16 inches with darkly-finished contrasting pockets, along with the added brightwork around the grille make for a sharper look. A spoiler over the rear window, its sleeker redesigned side mirrors, and the chrome SR badges help the Versa Note to seem more grown up. It’s still not a sports car, but it looks better than it used to.

Carrying over from last year is the steeply angled hood and windshield. It helps provide excellent forward visibility, as does the small side windows just ahead of the outside mirrors. The tall roofline allows the good visibility trend to continue all the way around the car with the slanted D-Pillars providing the only real blind spots.

Nissan does offer its Around View Monitor on the Versa Note, which easily clears up any visibility issues – at least at slow speeds. The Versa is the only car in this segment to offer such a system.

Interior

The interior is treated to a nice update with the SR trim level. The seats get a great looking orange stripe down their center and matching orange stitching. The orange contrasts well with the dark suede-like fabric seats and really does lend a sportier feel to the cabin. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is said to be inspired from the 350Z and comes with controls for Bluetooth, redundant radio controls and trip computer buttons.

Bluetooth is standard on across the Versa Note lineup these days, along with the AM/FM/CD/Aux-in radio, though it only has four speakers. The remainder of the standard features list reads off more mundane items like the number of plastic cup holders, and six-way manually adjustable drivers seat. This is where the cost-cutting is rather apparent.

One interesting feature with the cargo area is its false floor Nissan calls Divide-N-Hide. Essentially, it’s got a bottom floor panel that is stationary, but then a second shelf-like panel can be released and raised into position above the stationary floor. This gives a good six inches or so of hidden cargo room – great for hiding valuables, tools, or supplies.

Drivetrain

Powering the Versa Note is a dual overhead cam 1.6-liter I-4 with variable valve timing. It’s rated at 109 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine, by no means, is a strong performer anywhere besides the fuel pump, getting 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway/35 mpg combined.

Two transmissions are offered: The base trim level gets a 5-speed manual while the S-Plus and above get Nissan’s Xtronic CVT.

An independent strut suspension up front and a torsion beam rear axle keep the car on its wheels, while standard electric power steering helps save fuel. ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) modulate front disc rotors and rear drum brakes.

2014 Nissan Versa Note SR - Drivetrain Specifications

Type

1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control)

Output (HP @ RPM

109 @ 6,000 RPM

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

107 @ 4,400

Fuel economy (City/Highway/Combined)

31/40/35

Transmission

Nissan Xtronic transmission


Prices

The Versa Note hatchback is a competitively priced car in this segment. Trim levels range from the “S” with a manual transmission, “S Plus” that adds the CVT , “SV” with a CVT. Available with the SV trim package are two option packages that add some handy features: the SL package and SL Tech package. And new for 2015 is the new range-topper SL trim and the sporty SR trim.

Model

Price

Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SR Xtronic

$17,530 USD

Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SL Xtronic

$17,960 USD


Competition

2014 Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris has been the leader in this segment – at least in recognition – since its second generation starting in 2006. Its size and shape made it a perfect city car for running around. Power comes from a 1.5-liter I-4 making 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. The engine features variable valve timing to help it achieve 30 mpg city/37 highway/33 combined.

Pricing for the Yaris starts at $14,430 and rises to $17,340.

2015Honda Fit

The Fit is a new car for 2015 and is a generally better-looking car than the one it replaces. Engineers worked to reduce NHV levels within the interior while giving the 1.5-liter a modest power boost. It puts out 130 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque.

Although it didn’t score too well in the IIHS’ small-overlap crash test, the Fit is still a smart choice for an everyday runabout as its EPA-estimated fuel economy is 33/41/36.

Pricing for the Honda Fit starts at $15,425.

Conclusion

The new SR trim is a welcome addition to the Versa Note lineup, although it doesn’t give any extra horsepower, torque, or handling benefits. The interior and exterior upgrades will help it compete in a fierce segment where sales are won by mpg numbers, interior roominess, available electronic gadgets, and a ‘Wow’ factor. The SR trim seems to up the ante in two of those categories and we think it will be one of the Versa Notes’ most popular trim choice.