As an economy car priced well below $20,000, shoppers considering the 2007 Nissan Versa would be right to expect materials commensurate with the figure on the sticker. That's an issue of materials quality, which we'll discuss on the next page – build quality is an entirely different issue, one focused mainly on how well the materials fit together, and should be top-notch regardless of price.

Based on our tester, Nissan seems to understand the concept. Our Versa's interior was marked by tight, securely-fastened panels and pieces, with the only demerits doled out for a loose front center armrest cover and inconsistent gaps around the glovebox. No, it's not perfect, but we've seen much worse in luxury cars costing several times the Versa's price. Likewise, the exterior was largely free of issues, featuring consistent gaps as well as properly aligned body and fascia panels. Except for some orange peel texture in the paint, our Nissan Versa test car was a fine example of proper fit and finish.