2023 Nissan Versa SR - POV Review

MSRP: From $19,820
Horsepower: 122 hp
Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder
MPG: 32 city / 40 highway
0-60 mph: 9.2 seconds
Curb weight: 2,729 lbs
Exterior Color: Gray Sky Pearl
Interior Color: Sport
Premium Paint $395
Carpeted floor and trunk mats $270
Electronics package $880. Map Pocket Light, illuminated kick plates, frameless auto dimming mirror w/universal remote.
Destination $1095
Total price as tested: $22,460

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

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Thanks for watching!

[toyorobo]

While this may not be the very best vehicle out there, it's good for what it is designed to be. It's honest and doesn't promise anything it doesn't deliver (other than putting "SR" on a car that takes a Wednesday to get to 60). But at the end of the day, we actually need far more affordable cars that do all the basics and give those nice extras just like this. Nissan's commitment to small cars and to safety - Nissan Safety Shield 360 - as well as the small conveniences is wonderful and we really need more of it. To spend $19, 820 and get smart key, rear parking sensors, auto braking front and rear, adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, auto climate, LED headlights, Android Auto/Carplay, digital display, comfortable AND heated seats, reasonably good looks, and a trunk that is the same as a Camry... that admirable. The Versa is well worth adding to your list if looking for a small sedan that can punch above it weight in space and amenities. Really great review. Nice to see you driving around here in Plymouth, thank you for the hard work!

[cherylbates-white]

I love this car. I bought it a month ago and for what I need it’s perfect. It’s stylish and well equipped especially for the price. It drive well for my commute get room in the trunk which I live cause I haul my cookie vending stuff.

[pjkr]

I thanked to god that this car have accompanied me back on my paycheck-to-paycheck days. God bless Nissan for making affordable cars for those who needed!

[stevenjames]

Thanks for reviewing an inexpensive economy car for a change! IMO, I’d probably get a Corolla over this, but if money is really tight, then this would be the car to get. If you want a good and inexpensive car that gets great fuel economy - without buying a hybrid - I think this should be the choice.

As an older guy, econobox cars have come a long way. For example, a cheap car like this twenty or thirty years ago would have had 13-inch tires!

I’d be curious to compare this to the Kicks, which I believe has the same powertrain. Not sure if the price bump would be worth the extra cargo room of the hatchback form factor and elevated seating position, but it’d be a close call. Pity they don’t offer that same engine with a turbo option.

[sebastian]

Once i saw Forrest's rundown on this vehicle, I was hoping that you would upload a video about it and it looks like you read my mind! Thanks for always delivering quality content!

[tonypena]

Versa is very good, i have one and It is fuel saver and the cvt i have no problems, It is a great car i recommend it

[disophisis]

They still offer this thing with a 5 speed manual. It would be interesting to see how that changes the driving experience.

[heeltoeco]

As someone who bought a '22 Kia Rio, I regret not waiting another year as they added a lot of tech to the standard S package (it's rare to see any other trim in the US). I also have a huge appreciation for the CVT (named an IVT) as it knows when to just rev or to shift to break the monotony. Although, with the nimbleness and "just enough" steering feel when it realizes you're giving it the beans, it's fun to manually shift with the "SportMatic" as they call it. There's a charm to spiritedly driving a slower car as it's harder to actually get into trouble and it's sometimes nice hearing a little 4 banger scream. Surprisingly, I was able to keep up with friends during some touge runs because that's more about ability rather than pure speed.

[jerimiahlopez]

This is why i sub to this man, just as i was lookin into this car yesterday, he comes in clutch wit the upload. Thanks man🙌

[kmckenzie]

Love this 2023 Versa SR. It is truly loaded in top SR trim and for the price I would think this would be extremely popular given the price of new cars today as you said is over double this top trim Versa SE. I mean you can get a new car loaded for under $22, 000.00 after destination you can beat it and the best value in my opinion is the SR.

If you are looking at the Versa SV definitely pay the extra $700.00 and move up to the Versa SR as you gain heated seats, remote start, led headlights, larger touch screen, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, led side mirror turn signals that are heated, rear spoiler, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, sportier interior bits, larger alloy wheels, Nissan Connect Telematics Services, and so on. All that extra stuff for $700.00 more to go from the the Versa SV to the Versa SR. Wow!

Also if you look at the the base Versa S with CVT and the added package that is $1, 190.00 which alot for sale online have it pushes it only like $400.00 away from the Versa SV but you loose so many features if you chose that. The only way the Base Versa is a good deal in my opinion is if you choose the Base Versa S with 5 speed. Other wise if you are choosing or needed and automatic go with the SR its by far the best deal for the money and loaded.

You can check out Nissans website and build you own in different trims and see how if you are looking at an S trim with CVT and its optional $1, 190.00 package or an SV trim you are far better off to go for the SR trim. The SR trim has an unbeatable value and in my option is the best value in the subcompact and compact car class. I would take a loaded 2023 Versa SR over like a Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, Honda Civic, or even Nissans own Sentra. You are going to get way more features in a Versa SR top trim then one of those Compact cars base lower trims for the same cost. Sure those other cars may be a tad bigger but if you move up the trims to get a comparable equipped model to the Versa SR and go with one of those Compact cars top trim versions you will easily pay $4, 000.00 to $6, 000.00 more ($26, 000.00 to $28, 000.00 for a loaded top trim Compact). I really hope the updated 2023 Versa SR helps Nissan boost sales and helps people needing a new car they can afford get in to one

[jayw]

$21, 000 is considered an "affordable" car. Something has got to change about this. Thanks for the upload though!

[cw]

Well-balanced review. I like that you put more focus on suspension and NVH than most. Most car reviewers only comment on the acceleration and transmission. When they SHOULD focus on: suspension, steering weight, steering ratio, road noise, wind noise, seating ergonomics.

[robertelder]

I love Nissan! I have had all Nissan Sentra. I will be getting a brand new Nissan in about three weeks! I don’t care about 0 to 60 in 5 sec. I just want something reliabable to get me to appointments, shopping etc! I am retired now and I feel the Versa will be my next Nissan!

My neighbor lady has had her Versa 6 years now (manual transmission) and it has not given her any problems. She keeps up with all matience etc!

[Da__goat]

Sometimes I really do wish there was a bigger market for the subcompact and compact vehicles that Europe sees in the US. I’d love to see the VW Polo, or any of the wonderful hot hatches they see, like the Seat Cupra, or the Renault Clio. And even some wagons like the RS2 or RS4. Actually the S1 is definitely one I have my eye on. The A45S is an awesome hot hatch. Wish BM brought the 1 series back, was a great size for city life, and the hatch version was good for more storage. Mazda is definitely dominating the price segment with the 3. Though I do wish I could get the top engine in the 3 with the 6 spd, not exactly sure why they decided against that for the top trim when they have it for the standard sport trim.

[alessioberard]

That sound system definitely surprised me! :)

[ADHski]

Amazing that these are now the same price as a GTI in 2019. It's all highway robbery these days, appreciate what you have are the times we are in.

[Hello-fdtt]

I drove one of these for a while. Power on the low end is fine and smooth, but getting up to speeds around 50mph is painful. I wish this had more HP, even 10-15 more.

[danielhausmann]

I still don’t think Nissan is making bad cars. They were for a bit and I hated my 06’ Altima but they’ve been getting better and I actually like their styling. It’s just the CVT’s and the drivers that are the issues

[Urza]

I really like this POV review thing. I wish all car reviews were like this

[JonTRay]

I've had a 2017 Versa SV for a few years now and honestly I'm still in love; it's Much better then my last two cars lol. I was wondering about the latest model for a while now, thanks for making this video.