The Nissan Sentra is available in three trims, the S, S Plus, and SV. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 109 hp and 107 lb-ft to the front wheels is standard. This is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox on the S trim, while a CVT is equipped on the upper trims.
The entry-level S trim is extremely affordable but offers minimal features for this price. Infotainment is limited with no smartphone integration, but Bluetooth streaming and MP3 playback are supported. No driver aids are provided, and safety features are limited to airbags, ABS and traction control. The S Plus adds minor changes to the exterior, such as a rear spoiler, and equips cruise control and the automatic transmission to the vehicle, which improves fuel efficiency. The top-tier SV trim improves on the aesthetics, both internal and external by means of silver dash accents and chrome exterior trim, and installs a rear seat with 60/40 split fold-down capability. Power windows and door locks become standard, and the Special Edition Package is made available, which includes smartphone integration, and NissanConnect.
The Versa has a reputation for being the most affordable new car in the market. Even for a subcompact sedan, it has an extremely low price tag. The base S starts at $12,460, with the S Plus costing $14,600. The top-tier SV is still relatively cheap at $16,090, even though it doesn't offer many improvements. These prices are MSRP and exclude tax, licensing, registrations, and Nissan's $895 destination charge.
The only package available on the Nissan Versa is the Special Edition package at the top-end of the range. This package upgrades the wheels to 15-inch alloys, while fog lights, keyless entry and ignition, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are included. The infotainment system is replaced with a NissanConnect system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, still retaining the available seven-inch touchscreen. The interior receives a Piano Black trim.
Standalone features that can be added include Nissan Wi-Fi, Nissan VTRS (vehicle tracking and recovery system), and interior accent lighting.
The Nissan Versa is an extremely affordable car, even at its top trim level. Since the lower trims are almost bare of features, it makes sense to opt for the SV trim. As this particular version of the Versa is reaching the end of its life, with the model due for a redesign in 2020, it might be possible to get an even better deal from dealerships wanting to move stock, so aiming for the top trim might be cheaper than you think.