Nissan Tiida hatchback soldiers on for 2012 despite all-new sedan counterpart

Buyers looking for the functionality of a five-door can expect to pay $14,380 excluding destination charges for models equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission in S trim. Opting for a four-speed automatic gearbox will set you back an additional $1,000, while stepping up to SL trim with the company's Xtronic CVT will cost another $4,010. Of course, that stack of cash buys SL owners more than just the fuel-saving transmission. It also includes all of the equipment formerly stashed in the Premium Package as standard, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free calling and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

Keep in mind that aside from the new standard equipment, the 2012 hatch will soldier on much as it was in 2011. Nissan says that since most of the model's sales were five-doors, it wanted to debut an all-new sedan first.

Even so, the five-door prices mark a steep increase over the base Tiida Sedan, which starts at just $10,990 when equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed transmission. The hatchback Tiida is on sale right now, but shoppers looking to get their hands on the low-buck four-door will have to wait until later this year.