Most of us would like to roll in a Rolls, but it’s far more probable that our daydreams carry us away. This week’s life message is this: Even basic transportation is a luxury in and of itself. In that regard I’m looking at the Nissan Versa. Starting at $13,355 in hatchback form, this car will never be the bling in a music video, but it will certainly get the posse to the club. I’m looking at a base S model with just a few options (four-speed automatic, cruise control, power package and anti-lock brakes). At around $15,500, it costs less than the sales tax on a Bentley.

Talk to an auto engineer and they’ll tell you the hardest thing to design is a budget ride like Versa. Luxury cars can be loaded with features to make them attractive to the wealthy, but producing an appealing low-cost car is a black art. Materials must be inexpensive but they can’t look cheap. A manufacturer has to decide what to leave in and what to leave out in this price sensitive segment. And if they get it wrong, cars pile up on dealer lots.

So how’d the Nissan folks do with Versa? Not bad at all. It helps that this car, called Tiida in other countries, is considered a more upscale vehicle outside the U.S. Always better to take content out of a nice product than dress up a bottom feeder. Versa slots in below the Sentra, but it’s not a tiny car. The interior room is rated as a mid-size car by the EPA. There’s room for five college students in this rig. 

Check out the cabin and you’ll see that the materials look pretty good. Like other Nissans, it’s predominantly black and therefore dark. Large windows help brighten the space and offer good visibility. The CD-equipped sound system is fine, but there’s no aux jack for an iPod. Dials on the heater are a little coarse in operation. There’s no covered storage in the center console but at least there are cup-holders and a cell phone slot molded in. Shut down the engine and the power windows still work. Those with kids will appreciate this feature.

The comfortable seats that are covered with grippy fabric get torso airbags. Full side curtain bags protect both front and back. Anti-lock brakes are affordable at $250. They’ll easily pay for themselves after avoiding one accident on wet slippery Seattle streets. In the NHTSA government crash tests, Versa gets four out of five stars in every category.

Start up the 122 horse four-cylinder and you’ll find it to be a smooth operator. Versa is not terribly fast, but I’m seeing an average of 28 miles to the gallon driving it hard. I doubt you’ll do worse than me. Those who are comfortable with a stick can save $800 and wring more performance out of this car by going with the standard six-speed tranny. Move up to the SL model and choosing the automatic gets you a CVT (continuously variable transmission) instead of the four-speed on the S. While CVTs offer up great fuel economy, many drivers find their operation soulless. Instead of stepped gear changes that we’ve all grown used to, CVTs spool up to the sweet spot of the engine's powerband and stay there when accelerating hard. In a way it almost feels like a transmission that’s slipping since it glides in and out of its ratios. Something to watch for in a test drive.

Ride quality is set toward comfort. There’s some body lean in the corners, but this Nissan is still fun to fling around town. Large bumps get soaked up nicely; overly scarred pavement surfaces bring out just a hint a skittishness. Compared to Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Accent and Rio, Versa would be happiest on long road trips when factoring in size, ride, and cabin quietness (though the slightly more expensive Focus is my overall choice). 

And you can take friends. There’s enough room for three adults in back if they’re on the thin side. No center headrest or armrest though. In cargo mode with the split seats down you’ll find budget fabric covers the seat backs. Also the load floor that isn’t flat, the seat back leaves a hefty lip. Versa doesn’t offer the Transformer-like versatility found in Honda’s Fit.

At this price you don’t give up keyless remote (it’s part of the $700 Power Package on the S) and thankfully it operates the hatch. Removing the security cover for the TP test, it fits five warehouse-sized packs, which is about average.

Versa seems to be styled and equipped to appeal to the mainstream buyer. Move up to the SL model and there’s even optional keyless ignition that's normally found in high-end cars.  The cheapskate in me likes the idea of buying less car. Life is easier when you don’t have to work overtime to make the payments. It’s ironic that many of us slave to pay for vehicles that are supposed to offer freedom. Also available as a sedan, Versa offers up space, features, comfort, and the luxury of not breaking the bank when the payment comes due.