Nissan had a clear goal when they designed the Versa. They wished to create a practical sedan that provided drivers with a little extra “punch.” The result is an economical vehicle that has a limited number of special features. While the Nissan Versa isn’t the fanciest vehicle on the streets, it’s not a vehicle you should automatically strike from your list of possible cars when you’re shopping for something new. There are several compelling reasons you should take a 2020 Nissan Versa for a test drive.

The 2020 Nissan Versa gives you a good bang for your buck

Without a shadow of a doubt, the main reason drivers look at the 2020 Nissan Versa is the price. According to CNET, it’s one of the most economical new vehicles on the market. The starting price is a mere $15,625, and the most expensive Versas are about $20,000. The low starting point makes it a great option for recently graduated college students, young professionals, and retirees.

Even once you’ve driven your new Nissan Versa home, you’ll continue to save money. Routine vehicle maintenance is relatively inexpensive for the car. The average yearly cost of keeping the Versa in optimal running condition is about $500 according to RepairPal. Its combined 34 mpg makes it an ideal choice for anyone who commutes. 

The Nissan Versa is surprisingly comfortable

Many drivers will see the Nissan Versa’s low price tag and automatically assume the vehicle can’t be comfortable. Those who own a Versa beg to differ. Nissan didn’t cut corners with the suspension. The vehicle handles smoothly in the city and does a wonderful job absorbing bumps and jolts at highway speeds. Some people feel that the reasonable gas mileage and high-quality suspension make this the ideal vehicle for long road trips.

The Nissan Versa is roomier than you’d expect

The 2020 Nissan Versa is classified as a subcompact vehicle, but that doesn’t mean you’ll feel cramped each time you slip behind the wheel. Nissan designed the vehicle to provide you with as much space as possible.

The vehicle is large enough to handle the daily commuting needs of a family of four. There’s also enough room that three adults could comfortably use the vehicle for an extended road trip.

The Nissan Versa is safe

Nissan enjoys an impressive reputation for consistently turning out safe vehicles and the Versa isn’t an exception. They packed each of the Versa models with useful safety features. The Nissan Versa S, which is the base model, has pedestrian detection, reverse automatic braking, and lane departure warning. The pricier trims have adaptive cruise control, rear-cross traffic alert, a blind-spot warning system, a driver alertness warning, backup cameras, and a rear door alert.

The IIHS awarded the 2020 Nissan Versa with a “good” rating in all types of crashes, except head and neck injuries, which garnered only an acceptable rating. The NHTSA gave the vehicle a five-star safety rating. 

It’s not all good

While there are several compelling reasons to drive a 2020 Nissan Versa home, it’s important to acknowledge that there are some issues with the vehicle that irritate drivers. 

One of the more frustrating issues is the interior which is constructed out of lower quality materials that make the interior feel cheap in comparison to similar vehicles. The plastic shows wear and tear faster than other materials, and some owners of older Versas have had to use tape and other items to make minor interior repairs.

Another major issue, especially if you’re taking the vehicle on a long trip, is the seats. While Nissan installed an outstanding suspension system on the vehicle, it failed to install well-padded seats. This has been an issue for drivers who suffer from back problems since the seats put a great deal of strain on pressure points.

For many drivers the low purchase price and overall quality of the Nissan Versa outweigh the vehicle’s negative points.