Nissan Versa's versatility makes it one of KBB's 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Students can get all the basic necessities they need from a car in the Nissan Versa at a great price, which is why it was named in Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012 list today.

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With plenty of cargo space, budget-friendly fuel efficiency and an array of safety features—in addition to a starting price of $10,990—KBB.com's editors saw the Nissan Versa as a sensible solution that meets the needs and wants of students.

"As the least expensive car in America, the Nissan Versa makes an excellent choice for students looking for the most sensible way to get from A to B," says Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "Despite its low price tag, the 5-passenger Versa sedan includes a full suite of creature comforts plus unexpected niceties like an auxiliary audio jack for portable music players."

Earlier this year, Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com gave the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan the title of "Best Total Cost of Ownership" in its class. In addition, the Versa was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an honor given to vehicles that achieve the IIHS's highest rating for front-, rear- and side-impact protection, and the highest rating in the roof-strength test.

With versatility and room to spare, the Versa's spacious interior offers unexpected legroom and headroom to seat five comfortably. Cargo spaces are configured for real-world use, which means that students will be able to pack their new cars for the move into the new dorm room. The trunk design focuses on useable space, taking into consideration everything from the size of the hinges to the shape of the sidewalls.

The 2012 Versa's fuel-sipping 38 MPG efficiency is a perfect fit for any student's budget and is achieved by the variable valve timing that continuously adjusts engine output to deliver no-nonsense acceleration. This fall, as students return to classes, the 2013 model goes on sale offering versions that push EPA highway fuel economy to 40 mpg. 

To help parents feel confident that their young driver is safe behind the wheel, six airbags come standard on the Versa with two dual-stage front air bags, air bags for side-impact protection built into each front seat and two roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags to help provide head protection for both rows of occupants.

The Versa family includes sedan and hatchback versions in the U.S. and leads the subcompact market with 60,919 sales thus far in 2012, outselling its nearest competitors for a more than 22 percent share of the segment. Additionally, about a quarter of Versa buyers are Millennials.

"Although small on the outside, the 2012 Nissan Versa offers big value on the inside with its exceptional roominess and an unexpected level of available entertainment and connectivity features," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America. "Versa's design, performance and standard equipment provide a sense of 'modern value' that goes far beyond the mere purchase price."

To help college graduates get into their first car easier, Nissan offers stress-free buying experience with its College Grad Preferred Pricing Program. Individuals graduating within six months or the past two years, as well as current Graduate Students, qualify to buy a new Nissan for less than Dealer cost. For more information on Nissan's College Grad Program, please visit http://www.nissancollegegrad.com.

The second-generation Nissan Versa sedan, introduced last year, redefines compact car value. In 2013, the Versa hatchback will receive a fresh new look as a part of Nissan's offensive of five new models in 15 months.

For a complete list of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012, please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/best-back-to-school-cars-2012/.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. KBB.com provides consumer pricing and information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity and was named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year by the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

SOURCE Nissan North America