5 Thoughts About the 2023 Nissan Versa
Author:
Jason Fogelson.
I spent a week driving the 2023 Nissan Versa SR sedan, using it as my daily driver in and around southeastern Michigan, where I live. The press car I drove carried a base price of $19,820. It wore Gray Sky Pearl paint ($395) with Charcoal SR fabric seats. It included carpeted floor mats with a trunk mat ($270) and an $880 Electronics Package. Add a $1,095 destination charge, and the Versa had an as-tested price of $22,460.
Thought 1: It Delivers a Lot for the Money
The subcompact economy sedan has evaporated in the U.S. market, yet the Versa continues. The base S model with a manual 5-speed transmission starts at $15,980, a price that sounds like it’s out of the distant past. My test car was the mid-trim SR model with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a long list of standard equipment. The SR is far from a stripped-down loss leader. The sedan has power windows and door locks, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, NissanConnect, and advanced safety features.
Thought 2: It Introduces Some Compromises
Ultimately, you get what you pay for when you choose an economy car. I took a 100-mile drive in the Versa and realized that the driver’s seat was beyond uncomfortable, verging into torturous territory after the first 45 minutes of travel. A spin through the spec sheet revealed that the Versa SR came with front disc and rear drum brakes, which works fine but is not ideal for the best stopping distances. All Versa models are front-wheel drive, with no option for all-wheel drive.
Thought 3: It Uses a CVT
Every driver will feel differently about this thought. I don’t like CVTs, especially in economy cars. The Versa SR has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Even though the sedan is respectably svelte at 2,729 pounds, the driver in me wanted more power in all but the most mundane city driving. The CVT produced a woeful drone on the highway when pressed to accelerate. Overtaking another vehicle on a 2-lane road required lots of planning and a running start. I would have preferred the manual transmission, only available in the base S model, so I could flog the engine to squeeze out more performance.
Thought 4: It Looks Good
The Versa has been around in the U.S. since the 2006 model year and received a facelift for the 2023 model year in the middle of its third generation of production. The hatchback version is gone, leaving just a 4-door sedan. Early Versa models were not lovely — OK, they were ugly, especially the hatchbacks. The second-generation models improved, and the third-gen took on more of the signature look of the other Nissan sedans. Today’s Versa looks like a smaller Sentra or Altima sedan, and that’s a compliment. And despite the affordable purchase price, the fit-and-finish on my Versa test vehicle was first-rate. The dreamy Gray Sky Pearl paint made the Versa look more exclusive and garnered admiring comments at each gas stop.
Thought 5: It’s Efficient
Fuel economy affects affordability beyond the purchase price. According to the EPA charts, the Versa delivers 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. You’d have to go hybrid or electric to do much better — and you’d have to spend more on a new vehicle, offsetting the mpg advantage with a higher purchase price. Nissan vehicles have a good reputation for dependability and low repair costs.
The Wrap: It’s Not for Me, but It’s Perfect for Someone
For the money, I’d look for a used car with more driving excitement and comfort than the Versa. But I can still recommend the Versa to a buyer who wants an affordable, efficient new car for short hops. If you’ve got a short commute or are looking for an entry-level vehicle for a new driver, the 2024 Nissan Versa’s low price, excellent fuel efficiency, comprehensive safety equipment, and good looks present a compelling case. Related:
2023 Nissan Versa: Choosing the Right Trim.
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