2023 Nissan Versa Review Highlights:

• 2023 Nissan Versa: $15,980 – $19,970
• Pros: The Versa is super fuel-efficient, comfortable, and is chock full of features normally found in more expensive cars.
• Cons: The base model is sparse, and the Versa’s lackadaisical acceleration is painfully slow.

Are you looking for a cheap and reliable means of transportation? The 2023 Nissan Versa could be exactly what you need. No, it’s not flashy or fancy, but it gets the job done efficiently and comfortably. A fuel-sipping engine and a surprisingly tech-savvy cabin make this subcompact a leader in its class.

It’s a very small category, however. The Versa closely competes with the Kia Rio and the Mitsubishi Mirage – which it handily beats out in many areas. I spent a week with the Nissan Versa and found that it can do nearly everything you need without spending anywhere close to $25,000.

What’s new for 2023?

For 2023, Nissan gave the Versa a facelift, which includes a new grille and new 17-inch wheels on the SR model. There are also new tech features found around the cabin, including an 8-inch touchscreen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and standard adaptive cruise control. The SR trim also has a wireless phone charger and center console storage.

Which Nissan Versa trim is right for you?

There are three different trim levels to choose from:

• Versa S: $15,980
• Versa SV: $19,270
• Versa SR: $19,970

It’s not every day that we recommend going with the highest trim level, but in the case of the 2023 Nissan Versa, the SR trim is the way to go. The top trim has everything you need for your commute, including all of the safety and tech features that you would normally find in a car from a class above.

How does the 2023 Nissan Versa drive?

I won’t sugarcoat it; the 2023 Nissan Versa is pretty slow. It’s powered by a 122-hp engine that takes a few seconds to get going, thanks in part to the CVT, which makes merging a little risky at times. My main gripe was having to time my merges to account for the extra few seconds the car takes to get up to speed. However, I can forgive the Versa because performance is not what it’s meant for.

Instead, it’s meant to be fuel-efficient and comfortable – which it is. During my week with the car, I averaged 34.9 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. That’s a good return, considering I drive at a mile-high elevation.

Performance aside, the Nissan Versa provides a comfortable ride with its soft suspension – even with the larger 17-inch wheels. I detected some road noise at freeway speeds, so don’t expect a near-luxury experience despite the ride’s softness.

The car’s steering effort is easy, and it’s simple to park since visibility out of all four corners is great. The rear parking sensors and rearview camera help as well.

How much cargo space does the Versa have?

The Nissan Versa has a few handy storage solutions, including door pockets and a center console cubby. The trunk measures 15 cubic feet, which is large enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases or duffle bags. For added convenience, the rear seat can be folded for more cargo-carrying space.

What powers the 2023 Nissan Versa?

The Versa is only available with one engine choice – a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter, four-cylinder. It’s a small engine that sends 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a CVT. However, the base Versa S model can be optioned with a five-speed manual transmission.

Is the Nissan Versa comfortable?

Although the Versa is a subcompact car, it provides plenty of head and legroom for the front-seat passengers. The rear seat is a little cramped, but it should be able to fit average-sized adults just fine. The middle seat has a hump on the floor, so it should be used by small children and adults only.

The cloth seats are surprisingly comfortable despite not being very bolstered. Also, the infotainment system is easy to read and use from either the driver or passenger seat. I also liked the hard buttons and tuning/volume knobs.

What kind of features does the Nissan Versa come with?

The base Nissan Versa S comes standard with 15-inch wheels, air conditioning, and all the power amenities like door locks and windows. There aren’t any frills with this trim level, but it does have a 7-inch touchscreen and plenty of safety features.

The SV trim level adds more convenience features like a key fob with remote engine start, a push-button start system, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and automatic climate control. The larger 16-inch wheels are standard with this trim.

Stepping up to the SR trim level adds 17-inch wheels, a larger 8-inch infotainment screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and adaptive cruise control.

Is the Nissan Versa safe?

The 2023 Nissan Versa received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, the Versa is stacked with plenty of safety features, including:

• Rear door alert (SR and SV trims)
• Intelligent cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Safety Shield 360: Includes lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist
• Rearview camera
• Blind spot monitors
• Intelligent driver alertness monitor

How reliable is the 2023 Nissan Versa?

The Nissan Versa is slated to be very reliable, as J.D. Power gave it a rating of 82 out of 100. That’s considered “great” under their rating scale. Additionally, Repair Pal gave it a four out of five rating for reliability.

But if those scores aren’t convincing enough, prospective buyers can rest easy knowing the Versa is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. It also has a powertrain warranty for five years with no mileage limit.

MotorBiscuit awards the 2023 Nissan Versa with a score of 7.8 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit have rated the 2023 Nissan Versa with an overall score of 7.8 out of 10. The Versa isn’t fancy or fun to drive but practical, efficient, and spacious. Competitors like the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage offer similar features at competitive prices, but we feel the Nissan Versa is the best of the bunch.

Its solid list of standard features and safety tech make the Nissan Versa a worthwhile look for anyone searching for a subcompact sedan.