Nissan Latio

The Nissan Latio is an automotive nameplate which is used by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan since 2004 for two unrelated subcompact four-door sedans.

Since 2004, the name "Nissan Tiida Latio" had been used for the Japanese market Nissan Tiida sedan, although the Indonesian, Malaysian, and Singaporean markets received this model badged "Nissan Latio". As of 2013, the Tiida-based model is still sold in these markets.

The Latio name for the Japanese market was, in 2011, transferred to a new generation of subcompact sedan sold internationally under a plethora of alternative names.

Nameplate predecessor 

The sedan version of the first generation Nissan Tiida was marketed in Japan as the "Nissan Tiida Latio" from 2004. Both the sedan and hatchback Tiida were marketed in Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore as "Nissan Latio" starting in 2005. The Tiida Latio was replaced in the Japanese market by the N17 model in 2012, although the C11 Latio remains on sale in Southeast Asia as of 2014.

Overview 
Latio is the Japanese market name for a subcompact sedan unveiled by Nissan in 2010 as the Sunny, but sold under several different names across export markets when sales began in 2011. The Sunny N17 (or L02B using Nissan's new code scheme) was unveiled at the 2010 Guangzhou International Motor Show. The new model utilises the Nissan V platform and weighs less and has gained more legroom compared to its predecessor, the Tiida C11 sedan.

Regions

Asia 
The Thai-specification model was released as the Nissan Almera on 7 October 2011, as a vehicle in the Eco-Car project of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). It uses the same 1.2-liter engine as the Nissan March (Micra), with a fuel consumption of , and has either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Almera is also built in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. Other Asian countries receive the Nissan Almera, including Malaysia and Singapore where it is offered with the 1.5-liter HR15DE engine, mated with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

The Japanese market model was released as the Nissan Latio, imported from Thailand, on 5 October 2012. That car's release was delayed due to power shortages in Japan caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. It has the model code DBA-N17. For the Japanese market, the Latio is sold with a 1198 cc engine producing  and . It is offered with three trim levels. The Latio was discontinued in Japan on 26 December 2016, due to poor sales.

In India, Renault sells a slightly modified version as the Renault Scala. It was launched in August 2012 and is built at the same factory as the Nissan Micra. The Latio is also sold in India under the moniker, Nissan Sunny.

In Indonesia, the Almera is used only as a taxi, not for private use.

In Malaysia, the N17 Latio is sold as the Nissan Almera and was launched in October 2012. Three variants were offered: E (manual and auto), V (auto only) and VL (auto only). All variants were powered by Nissan's HR15DE engine. During the 2013 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show, Nismo accessories became available. Accessories consisted of a five-piece bodykit, exhaust muffler, Nismo's sports suspension and 16" alloy wheels. The facelift N17 Latio was launched in Malaysia in January 2015. Three variants remained offered and during the launch, it was reported that 56,000 pre-facelift Almera's were sold. Between April 2015 and April 2016, the 1.5 V variant was quietly discontinued. In April 2016, LED day time running lights became standard on all variants. The 1.5 E manual variant was also quietly phased out in September 2018. In November 2018, 'Black Series' variants based on existing variants were launched. In addition to the standard equipment, 'Black Series' models has a bodykit, several piece finished in gloss black and Clarion headunit.  

To note, Malaysian market Almera does not feature rear air con blowers and only 1 airbag on the E variant and 2 airbags on the V and VL variant.

In Jordan, the car is also sold as Nissan Sunny.

Australia 
The Australian model was released as the Almera in August 2012. The model range is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol inline-four engine. Sales were low, with a high proportion of sales to fleet and rental car buyers. Nissan Australia discontinued the Almera in July 2014. Trim levels available were the entry-level ST with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic and the automatic-only TI specification.

Americas 
The US-spec model was unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto Show as the second generation Nissan Versa. It is powered by a 1.6-liter petrol that delivers around  of power and  of torque. The fuel economy is estimated to be  city and  highway with the CVT-equipped model. In the US, Versa sedan went on sale in August 2011 with prices starting at ; higher spec models include Bluetooth, navigation system with five-inch touch screen display, satellite radio and an iPod/USB interface. It was considered to be the least-expensive new car in the US market in 2013.

For the 2015 model year, the Versa (as for the Latio and other models) received its facelift, with redesigned taillights and larger headlamps. The model is also sold in Latin America as the Versa, also with a 1.6-liter petrol engine.

It was succeeded by the Nissan Micra in 2014 for the Canadian market; the Versa was discontinued there due to slow sales.

In 2016, the Versa was sold in Mexico as the next generation replacement of the discontinued Nissan Sunny B13 (known locally as Tsuru), with many dealerships offering discounts and special promotions for fleet owners, taxicab, Uber and DiDi drivers. Thanks to these campaigns, the Versa became in 2017 the best-selling car in Mexico.

U.S. Versa annual changes, 2012–2019 
2012
All-new. Models available are the S (5-speed manual or CVT transmissions offered), SV (CVT only) and SL (CVT only). All are powered by the HR16DE 1.6 engine. Prices range from US$10,990 for the 5-speed S to $15,560 for the top-line SL. For this first year, only the SL can be had with a split-folding rear seat. Calendar-year sales in the U.S. reached 113,327 units.

2013
Enhancements are made to CVT-equipped models (low-rolling resistance tires, air intake guide, rear spoiler and air deflectors) allowing cars so equipped to reach 40 miles per gallon in highway driving. A 4-speed automatic transmission becomes available for the base S sedan; the previous S with CVT is renamed the S Plus, and adds standard cruise control. New features are added to SV and SL models. Billed as America's best-selling entry sedan, Nissan sold 117,352 Versas for calendar 2013.

2014
Trim upgrades for SV and SL models are made for the '14 model year. Several new features are added to those models as well. For calendar 2014, Nissan sold 139,781 Versas in the U.S., up a whopping 19.1% over 2013.

2015
The '15 model featured an updated exterior appearance and interior enhancements, along with more new features. Bluetooth phone connectivity is now standard across the board. Nissan sold 144,528 Versas in the U.S. for calendar 2015, a 3.4% increase over 2014.

2016
S sedans receive rear stereo speakers (previously these had only front door speakers). Additionally, body-colored exterior mirrors became standard on all models, and the SL gained a leather-wrapped steering wheel. For calendar 2016, Nissan sold 132,214 Versas in the U.S., down 8.5% from 2015.

2017
The SV Special Edition package is new, and adds 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded audio system with five-inch color display, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, hands-free text messaging assistant and backup camera, among other features, all for $500 over the standard SV's $15,720 price tag. After the beginning of the model year, the 4-speed automatic transmission option is deleted from the S (base) sedan. For the first time since its 2012 introduction, Versa U.S. sales fell in 2017, to 106,772 units; a 19.2% decrease from 2016 levels.

2018
The SL model, pushbutton start and Sandstone interior color are discontinued. Only minor changes are made to the remaining S, S Plus and SV. The SV Special Edition package becomes the top of the line. All now have adjustable front seat head restraints and variable-speed intermittent windshield wipers. In mid-model-year, the "2018.5" Versas - all models - added a 7" touchscreen stereo head unit and rear-view monitor as standard equipment. The new system included streaming Bluetooth audio, Siri Eyes Free, and USB/Aux inputs on S and S Plus models. Through August 2018, U.S. Versa sales had reached 54,301, a 23.8% drop from 2017.

2019
Nissan's Intelligent Key (pushbutton starting) system returns, now as part of the SV Special Edition package, which also added to its stereo system NissanConnect, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and text messaging.

2020
In the summer of 2019 an all-new redesigned Versa will be available. It takes many styling cues from the current Altima and Maxima sedans. It will feature for the first time Nissan's Intelligent Mobility technology and Safety Shield 360 technology.

Exterior 
Pre-facelift stylingPost-facelift Renault Scala

Safety 

 ASEAN NCAP - 

Depending on regions, the N17 Nissan Latio can be equipped with up to 6 airbags.

References

External links 
 

Latio
Category:Cars introduced in 2011
Category:Sedans
Category:2010s cars