~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Matthew Aukofer

Most Americans face sticker shock when they visit automotive showrooms today. One exception is Nissan, whose nicely equipped and capable 2023 Nissan Versa SR has a base price of just $19,820.

Our tested Versa SR had a sticker price of just $22,460, including the mandatory $1,095 destination fee and $1,545 in options (premium paint, floor mats and upgraded electronics like map pocket lights, illuminated kick plates and a frameless, auto-dimming rear-view mirror).

Over the last four years, new car prices have surged by as much as 30% by some estimates, due in part to the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and a manufacturer-led tilt away from truly inexpensive options.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially caused demand for new vehicles to plummet, but it later surged in 2021. Manufacturers struggled to keep up with customer demand due to slowed production and supply chain challenges. As a result, buyers were willing to pay high prices for whatever vehicles were available. Manufacturers also prioritized larger vehicles and higher-end models, which are more profitable but cost consumers more.

The latest data shows that the average price of a new vehicle sold in America hovers around $48,451 — more than twice the cost of the Versa SR, and even more than the more luxurious base model BMW X3.

Surprisingly, only 10% of all vehicles sold in the United States cost less than $30,000. This scarcity of budget-friendly choices has left many Americans searching for alternatives.

For entry-level transportation, the four-door, five-passenger Versa SR is nicely equipped with snazzy 17-inch aluminum rims and a sleek, modern design. Visual enhancements to the 2023 Nissan Versa include a new front fascia, with an updated version of the brand’s immediately recognizable V-motion grille, and new Nissan brand logos inside and out.

A nice textured pattern with hounds-tooth inserts adorn the seats. Red stitching across the dashboard, steering wheel, seats and door panels lends it a sporty look. There is a copious amount of plastic in the interior, which is to be expected at this price point, and no sunroof.

The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 122 horsepower and is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and is pretty quick off the line. The snappy acceleration, aided by fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing, makes it a great commuter car capable of serving a large swath of the buying public in style. It’s not going to win many races, especially when fully loaded down with passengers and cargo. But it gets the job done and is more than you would expect from basic transportation.

It will also get you there safely. The Versa SR’s list of standard safety features is impressive. Nissan claims its safety features lead this segment, and we cannot argue with that.

It has hill-start assist, to keep you from rolling backward when starting off on an incline. It has automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane-departure warning (but no assist), high-beam assist, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and more. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the 2023 Nissan Versa a five-star rating, its highest safety score.

Fuel economy is better than average, too. The EPA rates it at 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined. During our test, we averaged almost 37 mpg in mostly around-town driving in which we averaged 34 mph.

Nissan also didn’t skimp on amenities such as power windows and door locks. The driver’s window even has a one-press auto up-and-down feature. The seats are not powered, and there is no lumbar adjustment, but they are heated. The driver’s seat is six-way adjustable, while the front passenger’s seat is four-way adjustable.

Add to that adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and wireless telephone charging and you’re getting standard features that are only available as options on other vehicles. Ditto the acoustic laminated windshield glass, which keeps it fairly quiet inside.

There’s even a plethora of charging ports. A total of four USB charging ports (three up front, one in the rear) adorn the cabin, along with a 12-volt cigarette lighter connection. One USB port is located in the center console and could serve a second rider in the rear if they have a long enough cable.

The eight-inch infotainment screen is small by today’s standards, but that is to be expected at this price point. It features NissanConnect which includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and standard Bluetooth connection. SiriusXM subscription radio is an available add-on. The six-speaker stereo system in the SR (four speakers in lower trim levels) also features an aux-in jack, a rarity these days. It is a fairly bare bones but completely serviceable system.

Nissan also chose to include some dedicated physical knobs and buttons to lessen menu-diving on the touchscreen, which can be distracting when driving. Old-school knobs and buttons are still the best way to keep drivers’ eyes on the road. The Versa SR provides these to adjust the radio station and volume, and to control the climate system. You can dim the center screen with a single button push, but it does not dim the center gauge cluster at the same time. To dim the gauge cluster, there’s an old-school spindle shaft adjuster protruding from the gauge.

The trunk includes a generous 15 cubic feet of space, and if more space is needed the rear seats can be folded, though not completely flat. There is an emergency spare tire as well, a luxury at a time when many manufacturers are nixing the spare tire in favor of flat-tire repair kits.

There are faults, but it’s hard to harp on them at this price point. The CVT transmission sometimes takes time to spool up to speed. The “leather-wrapped” steering wheel still feels like plastic. The setting for the heated seats doesn’t reset when you turn the car off. It has a wimpy sounding horn. These are tolerable compromises, and if the CVT proves durable, the Versa SR will surely be a hit.

The Versa already stacks up quite well against other low-cost competitors, such as the Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Spark, and Ford Fiesta. Cash-strapped buyers should put the Versa SR high on their lists.

Specifications

  • Model: 2023 Nissan Versa SR
  • Engine: 1.6-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine; 122 horsepower, 114 lb-ft. of torque.
  • Transmission: Continuously variable automatic transmission.
  • Overall length: 14 feet, 9 inches.
  • Width: 5 feet, 9 inches.
  • Height: 4 feet, 10 inches.
  • Passenger/cargo volume: 89/15 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 2,729 pounds.
  • Towing capability: n/a.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 32/40/35 mpg; Regular unleaded gasoline.
  • Base price, including $1,095 destination charge: $20,915.
  • Price as tested: $22,460.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Nissan