In a world of rising prices and skyrocketing inflation, Nissan has turned the tables on our expectations by producing the cheapest brand new sedan you can find. At under $17,000 for the base model, the 2023 Nissan Versa flexes what this automaker can do while still producing a uniquely positioned vehicle in today’s competitive automotive landscape. It takes a special brand to be able to build a vehicle with this small of a price tag without sacrificing design or performance. The 2023 Nissan Versa offers impeccable value for customers who may have previously felt left out of the new car segment.
However inexpensive the Nissan Versa is, it comes with options. The bones of the Versa offer a lot of appeal, so Nissan released it in several trims, giving consumers the choice of what features are a priority. Even the higher level trims are still affordable, with the top tier SR trim ringing in at under $21,000. Let’s take a look at how Nissan can offer a new four-door sedan at record pricing.
The Versatile Versa
The Versa is not a brand new model for the brand. In fact, it has been part of Nissan’s lineup since its debut in 2006. The first generation of the Versa was offered to appeal to subcompact drivers while many competitors moved more in the direction of crossovers and full-size SUVs. Now in its third generation, the Versa has found a place in the hearts of those who love small affordable vehicles.
The 2023 release features some updates to its style and entertainment center. The new Versa has a redesigned front grille with silver trim accents. The grille features a stand-out black hexagonal piece and Nissan’s updated logo. On the highest trim level, there is now an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad, proving you can still save money without sacrificing conveniences. The SR model features newly minted 17-inch wheels. Finally, a new Gray Sky Pearl paint is now available for the SV and SR trims.
The current lineup for the Versa includes the S, SV, and SR trim levels. There are generous standard safety features and more advanced driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control, offered on higher trims. The previous powertrain remains unchanged. The 2023 Versa runs on a 1.6L four cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower. The transmission is a CVT, and an increasingly rare five-speed manual is available for the base S trim. For such a small vehicle, the handling and suspension feel secure and smooth. The Versa’s braking delivers immediate feedback that feels sturdy and unapologetic.
While the small price tag of the Versa might serve as a main attraction, this vehicle saves you money in other ways. Thanks to its size and efficient powertrain, the 2023 Versa has a generous fuel economy rating. With the CVT transmission, the Versa gets an EPA estimated 32 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. For the best mileage, you’ll want to stick with the CVT powertrain because the manual transmission doesn’t offer as high of a rating. However, the base S manual still gets a fairly economic EPA estimated 27 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Versa will have you spending less time and money at the pump, and more time on the road.
Nissan Didn’t Skimp on the Interior
The small yet mighty Versa has a lot to offer when it comes to comfort and convenience. This sedan offers plenty of cargo room for your groceries, luggage, sporting equipment, or whatever else you need to transport. The trunk offers 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space and helps you keep things organized. The cargo space is flexible, making your items easy to reach when you need them. There is additional storage inside the Versa’s roomy center console. With seating for up to five people, you and your passengers will be comfortable, enjoying all of the Versa’s rear legroom and best-in-class front legroom.
Upscale-feeling materials exceed expectations in this subcompact sedan. There are additional luxury touches you can add by moving up to the SV trim. Select from available features like Zero Gravity front seats, heated seats, automatic temperature control, and remote engine start. The SR trim offers upscale touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
There are plenty of great qualities to the 2023 Versa when it comes to the entertainment factor. The standard Nissan Versa comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, but a larger 8.0-inch display is available. The infotainment center is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and NissanConnect. An available wireless charging pad allows you to charge your devices without the complication of cords. Voice command features let you choose your music, select navigation, and enjoy hands-free phone calls with ease. The mid-level SV has an attractive 7.0-inch digital screen that displays all your stats in the gauge cluster. The Versa has all the connectivity you’re craving, right at your fingertips.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
One of the biggest draws to the Nissan brand is their ability to design safe and reliable vehicles. Nissan has a strong reputation for building long-lasting, high-quality sedans like the Versa. Not only do these sedans drive well, they’re also affordable to maintain and designed to help keep you safe. Driving can be unpredictable, so it’s crucial that every model offers safety features that help us when it matters the most. The 2023 Nissan Versa has the safety features you need, and offers the driver assistance features you want.
Nissan’s newest models, including the Versa, are equipped with Nissan Safety Shield360. This is a suite of standard safety features that detect potential hazards, alert the driver, and, if need be, take corrective action. Today’s Nissan Safety Shield360 includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist. It’s important to obey traffic laws and be an attentive driver, but it’s nice to know you’re driving a vehicle that’s there for you during life’s unexpected moments.
Additional driver assistance features are offered on the Versa’s higher trim levels. These include Intelligent Cruise Control, RearView Monitor, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and Hill Start Assist. There is also an available Rear Door Alert System that sends audio and visual alerts if you leave something, or someone, in the back seat by accident.
Available as an app, NissanConnect acts as your digital assistant. It can help unlock your Versa if you lose your keys, remind you of upcoming maintenance, remotely start your vehicle, and connect you to roadside assistance. Nissan has thought of everything so that you don’t have to. It’s this attention to detail that earned the Versa a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a “Good” overall rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest rating they offer.
The Versa is Ready to Take On Today
It is refreshing to know that Nissan has produced a sedan so qualified for today’s driving needs, yet priced at yesteryear’s MSRP. While some might opt to shop used to save money, drivers now have a choice in purchasing an affordable, brand new ride. The 2023 Nissan Versa saves you money up front, at the gas station, and in the long run. Because it’s a Nissan, you know you’re investing in a quality vehicle, even when it feels like you’re getting a steal. If you’ve been hunting for the perfect subcompact sedan, at the perfect price, look no further than the 2023 Nissan Versa.
