Although the sedan segment is shrinking, there are a lot of car shoppers who still want one, and there are a lot of great options on the market. One option that’s on the market is the 2023 Nissan Versa, and it’s competing in a segment that’s even smaller than what the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic are in. Here’s a look at the 2023 Nissan Versa and whether or not it’s a good new car that’s worth its $20,000 price tag.

The 2023 Nissan Versa is going to be affordable no matter what trim you choose

Currently, Nissan offers three trims on the Versa, and they’re all going to be relatively cheap. The S trim is the base trim, and it starts at just under $16,000. The middle trim is the SV, and it goes for about $19,300. Finally, the top trim is the SR, and it costs just under $20,000. One of the main differences between the three trims is their standard transmissions. 

The SV and SR come standard with a CVT, while the base trim gets a five-speed manual. With that being said, drivers can equip the S trim with a CVT. Doing that will bump its price tag to about $17,700 though.

Like any other car, the standard Versa has a few available options, but they’re all generally affordable. The Electronics Package, for example, costs $880 and it adds features such as illuminated kick plates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Here are the features that the 2023 Nissan Versa can come with

All versions of the Versa have the same powertrain, and it’s a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is the only option, and this setup allows the car to get 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on highways, for 35 mpg combined when it’s equipped with the CVT. The manual dips those efficiency numbers down to just 30 mpg combined though.

The Versa starts with 15 inch wheels, but they’re 16 inches on the SV, and 17 inches on the SR. In terms of tech, all options come with a long list of smart safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are safety features that are only available on the top trims though.

The S trim starts with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the top trim gets an 8-inch one. However, the base trim doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while the other trims do. As far as seat comfort goes, the standard Versa has cloth upholstery and the option for 60/40-split folding rear seats. That feature is standard on other trims, and they come with fancier seats too. The top trim gets heated front seats, for example.

Is the 2023 Nissan Versa a good new car option?

While it’s possible to find a used car that’s cheaper than $20,000, some car shoppers don’t want to use the used car market. As far as the new car market goes, very few cars have a similar price tag as the Versa. That’s mostly because it’s a subcompact sedan, and there are only a handful of subcompact sedans in the American car market right now.

Drivers should not expect much from the Versa, but as long as their expectations are low, then the standard Versa should be able to make owners happy. It’s a car with a weak but efficient engine. Its trunk is big enough for groceries. And most importantly, it won’t cost too much. These factors make the Versa good enough for budget-minded shoppers.