2022 Nissan Versa Sedan

For those shopping in the budget sedan segment, or those looking for a reliable transporter as a first-time buy, the Nissan Versa Sedan brings everyday comfort, decent practicality, and leading safety standards to the table. At an attractive price, the Versa is a compelling alternative to the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Redesigned in 2020, the Versa moves into 2022 without any changes and is powered by the same 122-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor that allows it to poke around the city streets with ease. There's nothing exciting abut the Versa, but it does well for those who just need to get around town on a budget. In that regard, the Versa fills an important gap - because, despite the popularity of crossover SUVs and larger vehicles in the US, there will always be a market for small, highly-affordable vehicles, and here the Nissan Versa Sedan is one of the best.

Thanks to a much-needed redesign in 2020, the Nissan Versa has a contemporary look that should be pleasing to most. The sedan gets a low-set front grille accented with chrome on the S and SV, and darker chrome finishes on the SR. Standard halogen projector headlights are fitted to the S and SV but bear a sharp design that curves up the subtly contoured hood for a really stylish look. The SR is fitted with LED headlights augmented with signature lighting, and a body-color rear spoiler. 15-inch steel wheels with covers prop up the S, while the SV rides atop 16-inch alloys. The SR is outfitted with 17-inch alloy wheels styled in a split five-spoke fashion.

Though the Nissan Versa did increase in size with its redesign, its dimensions are still conducive to the subcompact classification. It spans a length of 177 inches with 103.1 inches making up the wheelbase, stands at 57.3 inches tall - 57.7 inches in SR guise - and measures in at a width of 68.5 inches.

The curb weight of every model differs, with the S coming in at 2,599 pounds with the five-speed manual transmission and at 2,650 lbs with the Xtronic CVT. At 2,657 lbs, the SV weighs in at just a little more than the S. The heaviest of the lot, the SR comes in at 2,729 lbs.

There are only eight colors offered for the exterior of the Nissan Versa Sedan, with availability dependent on the model chosen. A good majority of the hues are available to the entry-spec S - Super Black, Fresh Powder, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, and Electric Blue Metallic. The premium palette is opened up to the SV and SR and includes Scarlet Ember Tricoat, Aspen White Tricoat, and Monarch Orange Metallic all of which come at an additional cost of $395. If you're purchasing the Versa S, we'd recommend going for the Electric Blue Metallic option which is the most eye-catching. For the SV or SR, Scarlet Ember Pearl Metallic is a good choice, though the Monarch Orange Metallic will better match the orange in-cabin accents.

The Nissan Versa is an automobile designed for getting its occupants from point A to point B. It's not designed for exciting or engaging performance or for luxe levels of comfort, and though it has undergone a redesign for a new generation, Nissan did not put much focus into the performance side of things. The new generation Versa does have 16 hp and seven lb-ft of torque more the old generation Versa for current totals of 122 hp and 114 lb-ft, but that bump in power doesn't really make for much of a difference in acceleration and speed. You can expect a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time somewhere in the upper nine seconds. From there, the front-wheel-drive Versa will cruise on gradually up until a top speed of 115 mph. Overall, the four-cylinder works fine for the Versa, but we'd skip the manual gearbox as it simply doesn't do anything for the driving experience in this application, while the CVT does a good job of staying smooth, keeping the engine quiet, and returning superb fuel economy.

With just 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque emitted from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor, the Versa isn't going to impress any drivers. There's enough power to easily and reliably motor around town, but with so little torque, acceleration is lethargic from a standstill. Once you're on the move you can easily maintain speed and keep up with other traffic though. When it comes to getting up to highway speeds and commencing overtakes, on the other hand, don't expect them to be speedy or effortless endeavors. That being said, the Versa does feel more up to the task than the prior generation, with the extra power and torque noticeably improving the driving experience overall, particularly once on the move.

A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard in the Versa S, which doesn't really provide too much benefit. Because of how subdued the Versa's performance is overall, the stick doesn't provide any level of real engagement. The CVT doesn't improve the driving experience much but it does deliver smooth responses and even simulates gear shifts almost like a regular automatic transmission. Most of all, however, the CVT provides far better fuel economy than the manual.

It may have just 122 hp at the helm, but with how compact and light it is, the Versa Sedan can actually feel quite peppy and agile. It's steering also requires very little effort which makes it easy to dash around tight streets and parking lots. There's not much feel communicated through the steering but the Versa is certainly more composed than any of its predecessors, especially at higher speeds. Though the cabin can get rather loud at highway speeds, road noise is relatively minimal for a car in this class.

For a subcompact car, the Nissan Versa is surprisingly composed and comfortable over typical road surfaces.The rear torsion beam suspension does, however, lack the refinement of the multi-link independent rear suspension in the larger Sentra, something that becomes clear over bumps and larger undulations. Overall, the Versa impresses with its stability and comfort, and though it is equipped with basic rear drum brakes, its braking responses are always smooth and effective.

The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is standard across the board, but only the entry-spec comes standard with the five-speed manual gearbox. The Versa's fuel efficiency is exceptional when the four-cylinder is paired with the Xtronic CVT, with the EPA recording returns of 32/40/35 mpg through the city/highway/combined driving cycles. That puts the Versa right on par with its direct competitors. For example, the Hyundai Accent manages 33/41/36 mpg. The Versa S, when kept with the manual gearbox, returns far worse gas mileage figures of 27/35/30 mpg. No matter which model you go for, however, a 10.8-gallon gas tank is standard, which on CVT-equipped models, will provide for up to 378 miles of range.

Nissan also updated the Versa's cabin for its redesign and it resulted in a vastly improved look and feel. There's still a lot of hard plastics utilized throughout, but the Prima-Tex leatherette dashboard in the SR has the space feeling a bit more premium. There is space for five and a range of upholsteries throughout the lineup. All models are also installed with a seven-inch color touchscreen that helps modernize the cockpit a tad, too. The NissanConnect infotainment system in the top two models brings smartphone functionality and SiriusXM radio connectivity. Heated front seats and automatic climate control are offered optionally, but only for the SR.

There's ample room up front for the driver and front passenger, but the seats are not the most comfortable in the segment. The driver's seat has six-way manual adjustability no matter which model you go for, so finding an optimal driving position requires a bit of work. The passenger seat gets just four-way manual adjustability - sadly, Nissan doesn't bestow the Versa with the amazing zero-gravity seats that features in some of its larger models, so while the seats are okay in terms of comfort, they're far from class-leading. The front seats in the SR can be installed with heating if so desired. It's in the back where things get really troublesome, with just 36.3 inches of headroom and 31 inches of legroom in the back, it's disappointingly cramped. The middle seat in the back has an elevation that makes it uncomfortable to sit on, too.

As a budget car, the Nissan Versa does come outfitted with a lot of second-rate cabin materials and basic seating upholstery as standard, but Nissan has, however, done a superb job with the cabin's design and managed to keep the look and feel not as low-cost as one would expect. You will notice all the plastics used throughout the cabin but Nissan's used a smooth-grain plastic that doesn't actually look or feel too bad at all. A Prima-Tex-appointed dashboard does improve the overall aesthetic in the SR model, however. Cloth upholstery is standard across the board but is upgraded with a premium cloth for the SV and a more stylish sport cloth for the SR. The basic and sport upholstery are finished in Charcoal while the premium upholstery is Graphite in color.

Chrome door handles and matte carbon-fiber look interior door trim add a touch of sportiness to the SV, while the SR benefits from a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For a subcompact sedan, the Versa's 15 cubic feet of trunk room is fairly good. For some reason, however, the entry-spec S offers only 14.7 cu.-ft. of room in the trunk, which is still more than how much the Hyundai Accent offers. In older models, the entry-level Versa didn't offer folding seats to accommodate larger items - this has been resolved in this generation, and most models come with a 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, the S variant with the manual transmission has a fixed-back rear seat.

In-cabin storage solutions are rather meager; the front door-side pockets are narrow but do include bottle-holder sections, there's a small-items storage bin beneath the infotainment screen, and a pair of cupholders beside the parking brake. There is also a passenger-side glove compartment. Nissan does offer a front-center armrest with an integrated storage cubby, but it has a hard-plastic surface that can be uncomfortable and it comes at an extra cost.

Creature comforts and conveniences are, of course, fairly scant throughout the Versa Sedan lineup. Standard fare includes remote keyless entry, power windows, cruise control, manual air conditioning, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way manually adjustable passenger's seat. It does come standard with a fairly extensive selection of driver assists, however, including high-beam assist, hill-start assist, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, and a rearview camera. The SV and SR get rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring additionally.

In the top-spec SR, you get remote engine start and intelligent keyless access. Intelligent cruise control with limited braking, automatic climate control, and heated front seats are optional for only the SR.

Nissan's standard infotainment system isn't the best, especially in the entry-spec S model. Integrated into the center of the dashboard is a seven-inch display surrounded by knobs and buttons. AM/FM radio connectivity is offered along with Siri Eyes Free and Bluetooth audio streaming. An auxiliary input jack is provided for MP3 devices and there are three USB ports located throughout the cabin for charging.

In the SV and SR models, the setup is upgraded with a NissanConnect seven-inch touchscreen that allows for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration as well as for SiriusXM radio connectivity. Unfortunately, along with slow responses, the screen also picks up a lot of glare which makes the images difficult to see whilst driving. The standard four-speaker audio layout in the S and SV is rather unimpressive, too, and is upgraded with just two more speakers for the SR.

There have been no recalls commissioned for the 2022 Nissan Versa, though there has been one recorded for the 2021 model which forms part of the same generation. Affected units were recalled due to faulty front turn signals. Nevertheless, J.D. Power attributed the 2022 Versa with a promising 83/100 quality and reliability score based on the experiences of current owners.

Nissan covers the Versa Sedan with the typical five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and three years or 36,000 miles of cover under a standard limited warranty. Three years or 36,000 miles of roadside assistance is also offered with the purchase of a brand new Nissan Versa.

Safety reviews for the Nissan Versa are good with the NHTSA bestowing the sedan with a five-star overall rating. The authority also awarded five stars for side crash tests and four each for rollover and frontal crash evaluations. The IIHS only partially evaluated the 2022 model but it attained Good scores in both the side and moderate overlap front crash tests.

Nissan outfits the Versa comprehensively when it comes to advanced driver assistance systems and passive safety features. Standard essentials include ABS, EBD, stability control, and traction control, plus an impressive consignment of ten airbags, including dual front, front knee, front side, rear side, and side curtain airbags. Nissan includes a comprehensive selection of driver assists as standard, too, including high-beam assist, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, hill start assist, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, cruise control, and a rearview camera.

More driver assists including a driver alertness system, rear door alerts, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are added as of the mid-tier SV. Intelligent cruise control is available to the top-spec trim.

You get a whole lot of value from the new generation Versa. It's still a car best suited to those who need an affordable first car. It's a handsome sedan that is well-built for a car in its price range. The cabin is spacious and ergonomic, although having classic budget-oriented materials. Where it really impresses is in the level of driving ease and safety it offers at its price, with every model in the line coming standard with Nissan's comprehensive selection of driver assists and ten airbags which earned the Nissan Versa good ratings for safety.

In terms of performance, the Versa Sedan does feel mostly asthmatic. It is, however, impressively thrifty, particularly with the CVT on board. Overall, it delivers the kind of performance you'd expect from a cheap family sedan. Though the Versa is attractively priced at well below $20,000, many shoppers searching in this range also have the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent to consider, not to mention that shoppers may be looking at larger and more powerful sedans on the second-hand market. However, with the Versa's latest redesign, comprehensive fitment of driver assists and safety equipment, good tech, and the new car warranty you'd get with it, it's easier to recommend than ever before.

With a starting price of $15,180, the manual Nissan Versa remains one of the most affordable cars in the USA. The Versa S, when fitted with the CVT, comes in at $16,850. The better-outfitted Versa SV comes in at $17,990, and the top-spec SR has an MSRP of $18,590. All Versa prices are exclusive of any tax, registration, and licensing fees as well as of Nissan's destination and handling charge of $1,025. With Nissan having increased the Versa's price over the years, the Chevrolet Spark is now the most affordable car offered in the US.

There are three basic trim levels that make up the new Nissan Versa lineup: the S, SV, and SR. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is standard across the board along with a front-wheel drivetrain. But while the S comes standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, a continuously variable transmission is optional; both the SV and SR come standard with the CVT.

Automatic halogen headlights light the way ahead for the Versa S which rolls atop 15-inch steel wheels with covers. On the inside, you get manual air conditioning, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat. The infotainment setup consists of a basic seven-inch touchscreen linked up to an AM/FM radio and a four-speaker sound system. Finally, Nissan's Safety Shield 360 comprises high beam assist, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, hill start assist, lane departure warning, and rear automatic braking which are joined by a rearview camera.

Remote keyless entry grants you access to the SV which rides atop 16-inch alloy wheels, and the push-button start gets you going. In-cabin improvements include a seven-inch driver-assist display and premium cloth upholstery. The infotainment system is upgraded with NissanConnect which brings access to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM radio. The SV's driver-assist suite is extended with the addition of a driver alert system, a rear door alert system, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

With LED signature lighting adorning its front end and riding atop 17-inch alloy wheels, the top-spec SR sports a finer aesthetic. It comes with remote start and Intelligent keyless entry, sport cloth seating upholstery, and a six-speaker audio system.

There isn't that much offered for the Versa optionally. The S and the SV can be outfitted with the body-color trunk lid spoiler featured on the SR, for $435. A front center console with a storage bin can be fitted to the SV and SR for $320. The only full package offered is for the SR - a $400 Convenience Package that includes adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and automatic climate control.

The Nissan Versa is a simple urban sedan with a focus on low-cost motoring. Standard specification and pricing don't increase dramatically between each trim level either, so it makes sense to spend a little extra for the top-spec SR and opt-in the $400 Convenience Package for the adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and automatic climate control. The CVT that comes standard in the SV and SR also returns far better fuel economy figures than the five-speed manual that's standard in the S. Sure, you can add the CVT to the S but with it, you're still stuck with the halogen headlights, small steel wheels, and a scant selection of features.

Slotting into the compact classification, the Nissan Sentra is slightly larger than the Versa and subsequently comes with a more powerful 149-hp 2.0-liter engine. That extra power doesn't make a noticeable difference as it only compensates for the Sentra's bigger size, with the larger sedan offering similar acceleration times. The Sentra is the more stylish sedan, outside and in, and it boasts a more premium interior with more comforts and conveniences and leatherette or leather seating upholstery. Unfortunately, the Sentra doesn't actually offer that much more passenger or cargo room than the Versa, with both front and rear seats offering just a few more inches and the trunk actually being smaller at 14.3 cubic feet. With a starting price of just $19,610, the Sentra does pack in a lot of value, particularly in its premium design and array of features, which may just be enough to recommend it over the sparsely outfitted Versa.

Similarly purposed and priced, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is a direct competitor to the Versa within the subcompact space, but not so much when it comes to value. Powering the Mirage G4 sedan is a diminutive 1.2-liter inline-three engine that develops only 76 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. This engine makes the Versa's 122-hp four-cylinder unit feel like a V6. The Versa is simply more pleasant and easier to drive on a daily basis and while the Mirage G4 is more fuel-efficient, the Versa isn't too far behind at all. The Mirage G4's cabin is tighter and its trunk smaller than the Versa's too, making it less comfortable and less practical. The Versa also comes with a whole lot more driver-assist features while the Mirage G4 comes with almost none. Overall, the Versa is the clear choice here - it offers more value, better levels of safety, and is actually also more affordable than the Mirage G4, albeit only slightly. It's just the far better car.