Is the 2023 Nissan Versa Really the Best Car for the Money?
With the death of the Chevy Spark in 2022, there are now only a few vehicles you can find on American roads today that can be purchased for around $15,000 brand new. Some cars in this price range include the Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Hyundai Accent. These cars are designed to be small, efficient, and incredibly affordable vehicles to act as simple, entry-level transportation.
However, one vehicle in the segment of incredibly affordable subcompact cars is often overlooked due to just how well it performs; the Nissan Versa. While the Mitsubishi Mirage may stand out from the crowd due to just how small and cheaply made it is, the Nissan Versa is a true subcompact sedan that performs well above its price tag. Recently, the 2023 Nissan Versa was awarded the top spot on TrueCar’s list of the Best Cars for the Money. What exactly helped the Versa perform so well? Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 Versa.
2023 Nissan Versa price, specs, and features
The 2023 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan that starts at $16,825 MSRP. For the 2023 model year, the Versa has been refreshed with an exterior facelift, an updated infotainment system, and some new standard features. Every Nissan Versa model for 2023 is outfitted with the same powerplant, a 1.6L four-cylinder engine. This engine produces a solid 122 horsepower, making this one of the most potent subcompact commuter cars you can find today, with most subcompacts only producing around 100 horsepower. The Versa is also one of the few vehicles left to come with a manual transmission as standard equipment. However, most Versas will be found with a CVT in the U.S. CVT-equipped Versa models achieve an impressive fuel economy rating of 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, which are numbers typically only seen in hybrid vehicles.
The Nissan Versa comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth audio, and three USB ports. Safety features include a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward and reverse collision warning. Sadly, Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto are only offered as optional equipment, as is a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic climate control, and remote keyless entry.
Truly the best value for the money?
When TrueCar listed the Nissan Versa as the best vehicle for the money, it was about much more than a list of features included in the purchase price. With the new Versa, young buyers are getting a solid, fuel-efficient, reliable vehicle with five passengers and a factory warranty. Sure, used cars with more features can be found for the same price, but the Nissan Versa is a brand-new car that anyone can buy and drive the wheels off of. Similarly priced vehicles like the Mitsubishi Mirage are severely underpowered, and other cheap cars like the Kia Rio offer more standard features. Still, they are often more expensive on dealer lots.
The Versa gives every driver a chance to get behind the wheel of a new car with solid features and good safety ratings without going into a ton of debt, and for that, the 2023 Nissan Versa is the best new car for the money.
