A Week With: 2023 Nissan Versa SR

On condition that the typical worth Individuals paid for a brand new automotive in March 2023 was $48,008, the 2023 Nissan Versa is a stunningly low cost date, beginning at a positively parsimonious $17,020, together with delivery and dealing with.

That’s a whopping 64.5% lower than the typical worth of a brand new automotive, truck, van or SUV. After all, that’s for the bottom mannequin with a 5-speed guide transmission and no choices. Nonetheless, given its McDonald’s pricing, is there any pleasure to be discovered right here? 

Overview

Supplied in ascending S, SV and SR trim, the Nissan Versa is the Japanese automaker’s least expensive experience, a small sedan for these with small budgets. Initially constructed for the Chinese language market, Nissan federalized the Versa for the USA, which swiftly overtook Europe because the automotive’s largest market, a transparent indication of our nation’s steadily declining center class. 

For 2023, the Versa receives new Nissan model logos, revised 17-inch alloy wheel design for Versa SR, a brand new Grey Sky Pearl paint colour on the SV and SR, and a redesigned entrance fascia with an up to date V-motion.

Exterior

The Nissan Versa’s flamboyant exterior resembles a miniature Altima, carrying Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, floating roof, and C-pillar design options. LED headlights are normal. It has presence, and is a welcome enchancment over its dowdy predecessor. In contrast to, say, a Mitsubishi Mirage, you gained’t be embarrassed being seen in a single because it doesn’t fairly play the a part of the cheapie that, in actuality, it’s.

Inside

As soon as inside, you’ll perceive simply how little you paid. Even on our top-of-the-line SR mannequin, there’s loads of onerous plastic, significantly on the middle console the place the driving force’s proper leg rests. Atmosphere is pretty primary, but it surely’s offset by the padded instrument panel and stitching — a premium contact that lends the cabin a extra upscale really feel than its frumpy predecessor.

Choosing the SR will get you a justifiable share of niceties, akin to automated local weather management, heated entrance seats, clever key with pushbutton begin, middle console with armrest (unavailable within the base S), energy home windows with driver’s one-touch auto up/down, energy door locks and automated headlights.

Entrance seat area is satisfactory, and the seats proved to be surprisingly cozy and considerably supportive. However rear seat leg room — as soon as a transparent Versa advantage — is a mere 31 inches, far lower than the first-generation Versa. And cargo area is 15 cubic toes, which is beneficiant for such a small sedan, however nonetheless lower than it as soon as was. When you don’t use the rear seat usually, you’ll discover the lodging passable.

Powertrain

All Versas get the identical powertrain, a double-overhead-cam 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque via a constantly variable automated transmission, though a 5-speed guide transmission is obtainable on base S fashions. Entrance-wheel drive is normal. Payload is rated at 876 kilos for the SR, 948 kilos for the SV and 862 kilos for the S.

The automotive employs a entrance impartial suspension with a torsion beam out again. The Versa wears 15-inch rubber on S fashions, 16-inch wheels on SV fashions and 17-inch footwear in SR trim.

Security and Expertise

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration charges the Nissan Versa as having 5 stars in all classes besides rollover, for which it will get 4. 

You do get a formidable menu of driver help programs, together with a superb array of driver help security options, like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automated braking, lane-departure warning, and high-beam help. SV and SR fashions additionally get blind spot warning and rear cross visitors alert.

On the subject of know-how, Versa S and SV fashions include a 7-inch colour touchscreen, whereas SR fashions get a bigger 8-inch touchscreen. A four-speaker AM/FM audio system is normal on S and SV trims, whereas a 6-speaker unit is normal on the SR.

Bluetooth, USB port and an auxiliary energy level are normal on all fashions, whereas Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM Satellite tv for pc Radio and a wi-fi smartphone charging pad are added on SV and SR fashions. However if you need NissanConnect, you’ll need to pop for the SR. When you’re getting an S mannequin, nonetheless, contemplating choosing the S Plus Package deal, which provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to 60/40 break up folding sear seat and 16-inch alloy wheels

The infotainment interface is nicely designed, and the display is sufficiently giant, however you don’t get a navigation system. Given that the majority of use smartphones for navigation, it gained’t be missed.

Driving Impressions

Energy is satisfactory for a grocery getter, however being saddled with a CVT transmissions makes the engine sluggish off the road reluctantly responding to requests for extra energy by moaning louder than an adolescent informed to complete their homework assignments. This makes coming into a freeway a sluggish and typically terrifying affair. Gas economic system is OK, however not stellar, at 32 mpg.

Bump absorption is minimal, with stiff reactions to bumps. When cornering, there’s an early onset to physique lean, though there’s a shocking quantity of grip from the tires. It’s a wonderfully satisfactory efficiency. 

That stated, that is removed from a stimulating drive.

2023 Nissan Versa SR Specs

Wrap Up

Automobiles on this class are all about worth for the cash, and in that regard, the Versa is tough to match. Higher trim ranges don’t really feel like a penalty field and even absolutely outfitted; you’ll barely break $22,000. However at that worth, you may get into a bigger, extra substantial Nissan Sentra, albeit with a decrease trim degree.

However, at a time the place the typical automobile worth is greater than double the value of a completely loaded 2023 Nissan Versa, it proves to be a tempting purchase — so long as you’re not a driving fanatic.

2023 Nissan Versa ­– Often Requested Questions