NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nissan Versa Note has been named by the editors at Kelley Blue Book to its annual KBB.com "10 Best Back to School Cars of 2015" list. It is the latest honor for Nissan's popular entry-level hatchback from KBB.com, which has also included Versa Note on its "10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000" (2015) and "10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000" (2014) lists.

Nissan's funky, cool hatchback is the only one in its class that isoffered with the excellent Around View Monitor, a system we find especially helpful every time we back out of a parking space. Other tech options: include hands-free texting, Bluetooth connectivity and one-touch Pandora internet radio capability.

When Nissan brought me its most affordable hatchback, the 2014 Versa Note, earlier this year I found myself impressed with its nimbleness, abundant interior space great features despite its bargain price. In general I recommended it as a great bargain runabout. For 2015, Nissan has the new sportier looking Versa Note SR, and the automaker sent it my way for a week of testing (read: flogging). The new car has revised visual cues inside and out, and the equipment list is a little different than my last Versa. Best yet, it's even a little cheaper than the last one I tested as well.