Subcompact cars are becoming rare these days because most automakers have been concentrating on manufacturing crossover SUVs. If you’ve been looking for a subcompact sedan, we can recommend the 2021 Nissan Versa. The smallest vehicle in Nissan’s roster, the Versa is surprisingly affordable. The Versa may be small, but it provides buyers with lots of cargo space. The seats are comfortable, and the driver and passengers will love the Versa’s smooth ride. According to the Salinas area Nissan dealership, the Versa gets excellent fuel economy. Buyers looking for solid, reliable transportation that’s economically priced should place the 2021 Nissan Versa at the top of their shopping list.
The 2019 Nissan Versa seats five passengers. When you visit a dealer like the Nissan dealership serving Salinas, you’ll find the Versa offered in three trim levels, listed as S, SV and SR. All models are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. The base S trim gets a standard five-speed manual transmission and an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that’s standard on the other trims. Front-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg highway with the manual gearbox and 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg highway with the CVT.*
The many positive reviews are a testament to the Versa’s quality. Car and Driver writes: “With a price that’s affordable for almost everyone shopping for a new car, and an unrivaled number of active-safety features, the 2021 Nissan Versa is a competent and appealing subcompact sedan. It also boasts comfortable seats and a tranquil ride that help make daily commutes a pleasant experience.”
Standard features for the base Versa S trim include 15-inch steel wheels, push-button start, power windows and door locks, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a 7-inch infotainment screen, a four-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth, three USB ports, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking and automatic high beams.
The Versa SV comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning.
The range-topping SR trim includes 17-inch wheels, fog lights, LED headlights, a rear spoiler, a dark chrome grille, black painted mirror caps, keyless entry, remote engine start, exclusive upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system.
There aren’t any stand-alone options, but buyers can get more features with the optional Convenience package, which adds automatic climate control, heated front seats and adaptive cruise control.
The 2021 Nissan Versa is a very safe vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t rated the 2021 Versa as of this writing. However, the 2020 Versa received the highest overall safety rating of five stars. We expect identical marks for 2021. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn’t fully evaluated the 2021 Versa as of this writing. The current rating stands at the highest score of Good in the two tests it conducted.