2023 Nissan Versa Sedan Review: Making Your Money Work For You

When it comes to affordable, high-value sedans, the Nissan Versa is hard to beat. It comes packed with driver-assistance features and offers enough comfort and convenience to make the daily commute that much more bearable. The facelift for 2023 has given the Nissan Versa a more appealing aesthetic, though it sticks with the frugal 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine it has always used. Nevertheless, it's a competent small sedan that relies on its value and low price tag to attract buyers rather than flashy looks and compelling performance figures, and there is nothing wrong with that. With cheap competitors like the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Rio performing well in an SUV-rich USA, it is clear that the sedan has some fight left in it, and the Versa is a surprisingly heavy hitter.

What's the Price of the 2023 Nissan Versa Sedan?

Since it is all about being an affordable entry-level sedan, the Nissan Versa has a very low starting price of just $15,730 for the S with manual transmission. If you want the CVT, you'll have to spend $17,400. It's a pretty noticeable bump in price to get the SV, at $19,020, but the SR will only cost you an extra $700 over that. These Nissan Versa prices are MSRP and do not include tax, registration, or the $1,095 destination charge.

2023 Nissan Versa Sedan Handling and Driving Impressions

There isn't a lot of power under the hood of the Nissan Versa, but considering how small and light it is, 122 horsepower is enough to get by. As a result, the small subcompact sedan actually feels peppy around town, which is further helped by light and accurate steering. This helps it maneuver nimbly around busy streets or parking lots. Spirited driving is out of the question, though, as the steering is numb and gives no real indication of what the wheels are doing. The engine is gutless when quick acceleration is needed at higher speeds, requiring a heavy foot to merge and pass, and discouraging enthusiastic driving. Nevertheless, the car keeps its composure, even when traveling at high speeds.

When you are barreling down the highway, road and wind noise can become a real problem. The otherwise smooth ride also gets a bit rockier at these speeds or when dealing with larger undulations in the road. With a host of safety and driver-assistance features, the Versa is easy to drive, and braking power is good despite the use of standard drum brakes. It makes for a perfectly adequate commuter car, easing the strain of repetitive trips, though it will never be particularly fun to drive.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Nissan Versa Sedan A Good Car?

If you're looking at cars in this price segment, there are certain things you really want and a whole lot of things you can do without, although they might be nice. In this regard, the Nissan Versa fits the bill perfectly. Sure, it has gotten a little more expensive over the past few years, but in exchange, it has also significantly expanded its base offering. The safety suite, in particular, is better than you'd likely find in other similarly priced cars. The few infotainment upgrades at upper trim levels are welcome as buyers start to expect more from their cars.

A frank review of the Nissan Versa's performance finds that it is not sparkling, with just enough power to get around town without too much fuss but very little in reserve on the highway. On the plus side, the powertrain is quite frugal, especially when mated to the available Xtronic CVT. The cumulative benefits of a sub-$20k price tag and low running costs definitely have their appeal, and people who want a reliable commuter don't need to look much further if they can live with a relatively boring driving experience and limited rear seat and cargo capacity. It won't serve as a good family car, but it makes for a great secondary car alongside a larger, more popular SUV or crossover.

What 2023 Nissan Versa Sedan Model Should I Buy?

You actually get the most out of the Versa when you aim low since it is meant to be a low-cost, high-value car. For this reason, the cheapest S model is probably your best bet. You can spend an extra $1,190 to unlock some modern features like smartphone integration while still keeping the price well below the next trim level. However, if your budget is $20k, we'd suggest the SR, which adds a better infotainment and audio system, improved safety features such as adaptive cruise control and LED headlights, and comes standard with the CVT. All that for less than $20k before destination makes it very good value.