MyAutoUpdates

Overview

Should reports prove accurate, you will not be able to purchase a new car costing less than $20,000 after the Nissan Versa's production cycle comes to an end. This comes barely five years into the current generation and following the death of the Mitsubishi Mirage, the only other sub-$20k car. For those on tighter budgets, the Versa has offered basic mobility with reasonable fuel efficiency during its lifecycle. Though it's not outstanding in performance, it's comfy, simple to drive, and doesn't seem like a standard penalty box. Though we would be surprised if Nissan's replacement could match the Versa's price range, it seems improbable that low-cost sedans or hatchbacks will be completely abandoned. Although the new Kia K4 and the Hyundai Elantra are better choices, their starting price falls in the low $20,000 bracket. We so advise choosing a new Versa shortly if that extra four or five grand is unacceptable.

What's New for 2025?

Nissan now provides three free oil changes for the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership. All trim levels also come standard with LED headlights.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

2025 Nissan Versa

The pricing of the 2025 Nissan Versa starts at $18,330 and goes up to $22,330 depending on the model and extras.

The top-of-the-line Versa SR is the one to purchase. Sure, it's the most costly version, but we think it's worth it for all the appealing basic equipment it includes. Both the SR and the somewhat less priced SV come with an automatic transmission, and both infotainment systems offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Still, only the SR gets 17-inch alloys, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, passive entry, and remote start. For those who reside in colder climates, we'd recommend add the Convenience package for its heated front seats.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every Versa is driven by a 122-hp four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels. A five-speed manual is the normal gearbox on base versions, although a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) may be ordered on the S too. The latter is standard on the higher SV and SR trim levels. While the Versa seems ponderous when pulling away from stoplights and during highway-passing scenarios, its CVT helps reduce harsh sounds by emulating genuine gearchanges. The Versa we drove featured a comfortable ride that separated road irregularities. Also, it was considerably nicer to drive than the previous generation vehicle, due to accurate steering feel and constant brake-pedal input.

0–60-MPH Times

At our test track, the 2023 Versa SR achieved a very slow 9.5-second run to 60 mph, but that was almost one complete second quicker than the 2020 model we tested earlier.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Versa is rated up to 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway when fitted with the CVT. The entry-level Versa with the manual has substantially poorer ratings, with a projected 27 mpg city and 35 highway. We tested an automatic-equipped Versa on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our thorough testing procedure, where it achieved 40 mpg. For more information about the Versa's fuel efficiency, see the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

2025 Nissan Versa

The Versa's interior no longer looks and feels like a children's play area. It employs good materials throughout and features soft-touch surfaces on the doors and dashboard. While Nissan doesn't provide power-adjustable seats and leather upholstery here, the fanciest model can be purchased with heated front seats as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The mid-level SV model unlocks certain desirable standard features, such as a digital screen in the gauge cluster. The SV additionally features a center console with an armrest and a wireless charging station. The top-tier Versa SR offers automated temperature control, passive hands-free entry, and remote start. The back seat may also easily accomodate two persons. The sedan features helpful storage on its center console, and we managed to accommodate six carry-on luggage in its trunk; 17 total with the rear seat folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Versa includes a basic 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with handy buttons and knobs; the SR variant gets a standard 8.0-inch display. Only the SV and SR models offer standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; those technologies are available on the base S trim. During our time with it, we noticed that the CarPlay interface responded better to inputs than the car's conventional menus did. Every Versa includes three USB connections and voice-command functionality, but anyone who wants the option to listen to SiriusXM satellite radio will have to search higher than the base model.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Nissan sedan comes with a variety of basic driver-assistance technology, including automatic high-beams and lane-departure warning. For additional information about the Versa's crash-test results, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety elements include: