{"id":241548,"date":"2023-04-14T10:20:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?post_type=reviews&p=241548"},"modified":"2023-04-14T09:13:13","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:13:13","slug":"a-week-with-2023-nissan-versa-sr","status":"publish","type":"reviews","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/reviews\/a-week-with-2023-nissan-versa-sr\/","title":{"rendered":"A Week With: 2023 Nissan Versa SR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 2023 Nissan Versa gets an updated front fascia, but remains mostly unchanged.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Given that the average price Americans paid for a new car in March 2023 was $48,008, the 2023 Nissan Versa is a stunningly cheap date, starting at a positively parsimonious $17,020, including shipping and handling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a whopping 64.5% less than the average price of a new car, truck, van or SUV. Of course, that\u2019s for the base model with a 5-speed manual transmission and no options. Still, given its McDonald\u2019s pricing, is there any joy to be found here?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Offered in ascending S, SV and SR trim, the Nissan Versa is the Japanese automaker\u2019s cheapest ride, a small sedan for those with small budgets. Originally built for the Chinese market, Nissan federalized the Versa for the United States, which swiftly overtook Europe as the car’s largest market, a clear indication of our country’s steadily declining middle class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For 2023, the Versa receives new Nissan brand logos, revised 17-inch alloy wheel design for Versa SR, a new Gray Sky Pearl paint color on the SV and SR, and a redesigned front fascia with an updated V-motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 2023 Nissan Versa channels its inner Altima when it comes to its wardrobe. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Exterior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Nissan Versa\u2019s flamboyant exterior resembles a miniature Altima, wearing Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, floating roof, and C-pillar design features. LED headlights are standard. It has presence, and is a welcome improvement over its dowdy predecessor. Unlike, say, a Mitsubishi Mirage, you won\u2019t be embarrassed being seen in one as it doesn\u2019t quite play the part of the cheapie that, in reality, it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once inside, you\u2019ll understand just how little you paid. Even on our top-of-the-line SR model, there\u2019s a lot of hard plastic, particularly on the center console where the driver\u2019s right leg rests. Ambience is fairly basic, but it\u2019s offset by the padded instrument panel and stitching \u2014 a premium touch that lends the\u00a0cabin a more upscale feel than its frumpy predecessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opting for the SR gets you a fair share of niceties, such as automatic climate control, heated front seats, intelligent key with pushbutton start, center console with armrest (unavailable in the base S), power windows\u00a0with driver’s one-touch auto up\/down, power door locks and\u00a0automatic headlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Front seat space is adequate, and the seats proved to be surprisingly comfy and somewhat supportive. But rear seat leg room \u2014 once a clear Versa virtue \u2014 is a mere 31 inches, far less than the first-generation Versa. And cargo space is 15 cubic feet, which is generous for such a small sedan, but still less than it once was. If you don\u2019t use the rear seat often, you\u2019ll find the accommodations satisfactory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powertrain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A padded instrument panel with stitching enlivens the 2023 Nissan Altima’s instrument panel. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

All Versas get the same powertrain, a\u00a0double-overhead-cam 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable automatic transmission, although a 5-speed manual transmission is offered on base S models. Front-wheel drive is standard. Payload is rated at 876 pounds for the SR, 948 pounds for the SV and 862 pounds for the S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The car employs a front independent suspension with a torsion beam out back. The Versa wears 15-inch rubber on S models, 16-inch wheels on SV models and 17-inch footwear in SR trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety and Technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates the Nissan Versa as having five stars in all categories except rollover, for which it gets four. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do get an impressive menu of driver assistance systems, including\u00a0an excellent array of driver assistance safety features, like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. SV and SR models also get blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Items like the climate control are blessedly simple to use.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to technology, Versa S and SV models come with a 7-inch color touchscreen, while SR models get a larger 8-inch touchscreen. A four-speaker AM\/FM audio system is standard on S and SV trims, while a 6-speaker unit is standard on the SR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bluetooth, USB port and an auxiliary power point are standard on all models, while Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and a wireless smartphone charging pad are added on SV and SR models. But if you want NissanConnect, you\u2019ll have to pop for the SR. If you\u2019re getting an S model, however, considering opting for the S Plus Package, which adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 60\/40 split folding sear seat and 16-inch alloy wheels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infotainment interface is well designed, and the screen is sufficiently large, but you don\u2019t get a navigation system. Given that most of use smartphones for navigation, it won\u2019t be missed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Power is adequate for a grocery getter, but being saddled with a CVT transmissions makes the engine slow off the line reluctantly responding to requests for more power by moaning louder than a teenager told to finish their homework assignments. This makes entering a highway a slow and sometimes terrifying affair. Fuel economy is OK, but not stellar, at 32 mpg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bump absorption is minimal, with stiff reactions to bumps. When cornering, there is an early onset to body lean, although there\u2019s a surprising amount of grip from the tires. It\u2019s a perfectly adequate performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, this is far from a stimulating drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Nissan Versa SR Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dimension<\/strong>s<\/td>L: 177 inches\/W: 68.5 inches\/H: 57.7 inches\/Wheelbase: 103.1 inches<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>2,729 pounds<\/td><\/tr>
Powertrain<\/strong><\/td>1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine,\u00a0continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel Economy<\/strong><\/td>32 mpg city\/40 mpg highway\/35 mpg combined<\/td><\/tr>
Performance Specs<\/strong><\/td>122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/strong><\/td>Base price: $19,820; As tested: $00 including $1,190 destination charge.<\/td><\/tr>
On-Sale Date<\/strong><\/td>Available now<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wrap Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cars in this class are all about value for the money, and in that regard, the Versa is hard to match. Upper trim levels do not feel like a penalty box and even fully equipped; you’ll barely break $22,000. But at that price, you can get into a larger, more substantial Nissan Sentra, albeit with a lower trim level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, at a time where the average vehicle price is more than double the price of a fully loaded 2023 Nissan Versa, it proves to be a tempting buy \u2014 as long as you\u2019re not a driving enthusiast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Nissan Versa \u00ad\u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Is the Nissan Versa a reliable car?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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J.D. Power gives the 2023 Nissan Versa a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100, which it considers “Great.”<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Why is the Nissan Versa so cheap?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Well, the definition of cheap has certainly changed in recent years, but the 2023 Nissan Versa certainly still qualifies.\u00a0It starts at $16,825 for the base S trim with a 5-speed manual transmission, making it the least-expensive new car you can buy in the U.S. for 2023. Why the cheapest? Something has to be, right?<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What are the changes for the 2023 Nissan Versa?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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New Nissan brand emblems, reworked 17-inch alloy wheels for the Versa SR, a new Gray Sky Pearl paint color on the SV and SR, and a remodeled front fascia with an updated V-motion are among the changes to the 2023 Nissan Versa.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What do you get for a car that costs 64.5% less than the average new vehicle? TheDetroitBureau.com has the answer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13752,"featured_media":241547,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[10507,5165,5164,6251,10509,10510,10508],"category_reviews":[6612,31],"make":[90],"post-state":[],"category_old":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews\/241548"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/reviews"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13752"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241548"},{"taxonomy":"category_reviews","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_reviews?post=241548"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=241548"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=241548"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=241548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}