2024 Nissan Versa: The Last Of Its Breed

The demand for subcompact sedans is fading away, and most automakers are backing away from this segment. Nissan will also follow in their footsteps and pull the plug off the Versa after the 2025 model year. So, the 2024 Nissan Versa comes with no considerable changes. Nissan’s small sedan is not only cheap but also fuel-efficient and safe. The 2024 Nissan Versa price starts at $17,820 for the base S model (described below). So, let's check out the myth that cheap things aren't good, true or false.

Expressive Exterior 

After a significant refresh just last year, the Versa now has one of the most recognizable influences from its big brother, the Altima. So, there’s the latest version of the V-motion grille, and it’s quite enlarged and really covers up most of the front-end design. The little silver accents on both sides of the grille look very good. The updated version of the Nissan emblem is very much here too. The base model S gets incandescent lighting, and that being said, you can actually get LED lighting if you choose the top-end SR trim level. 

The Nissan Altima references continue into the rear profile as well.

Talking about the rear, you do get that junior Altima look again. The rear end does lack drama, but you get a spoiler with the top SR trim. An affordable vehicle like the Versa typically doesn't have any LED elements. So, all the elements of the tail lights are incandescent in nature. The good thing is that the tail lights you see on the Versa are similar to those on the Nissan Altima, which is quite a bit more expensive. Dropping down to the lower area, you will notice that it is actually finished in a nice body color finish, and we actually have a decently aggressive diffuser area. I'm kind of surprised to see no exposed exhaust outlets on any Versa trim. 

The 2024 Nissan Versa S gets a 15-inch steel wheel with hubcaps. However, we have the S Plus Package, which gets us the 16-inch alloy wheels, and from the SV trim level, there’s 17-inch alloy wheels. If you go up to the SR trim level, the alloy wheels are actually pretty stylish. I really liked the finish of the wheels in the gray finish and the silver spokes on my test example. The mirrors get power adjustments. If you want heating or blind spot monitoring, you will have to move up one rung to the middle SV trim. The floating roof design and black door handles look really good, in my opinion.

Modest Interior 

Getting inside is quite old-school with the standard key in the base S model. Talking about the seats, there are actually going to be cloth seats on all three trim levels of the Versa. However, each one does have some different accenting for differentiation. The base S gets gray-black accenting, while the SR trim gets premium red accenting. The seats are manually adjusted as well across the entire lineup. As the 2024 Nissan Versa S is the most affordable new car currently on the market in the US, I didn’t expect much from it. 

However, despite multiple hard plastic touch points on the door trims and dashboard, the Versa feels well-built and durable. To start the car, we have the same old-school key. But the top SR trim gets the push button started. Talking about the gauge cluster, there’s a small display here on this S trim level. The display is too simple for my liking

You do actually have a seven-inch display on the other two trim levels, and the rest of the gauge cluster is analog. Surprisingly, there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel. When it comes to storage space, there’s not much here. The center console armrest that doubles as storage on most cars is absent here. 

The center console does get cup holders and a space for wireless charging on the other trim levels. The shifter lever is pretty traditional, and you get a conventional handbrake. The base S and mid-SV trim levels get manual climate setup. The SR gets automatic climate control. The four-speaker audio system is pretty basic, and the same can be upgraded with a six-speaker unit on the SR trim. 

The central 7-inch touchscreen is a very similar display to what I had sampled in the Nissan Kicks. It kind of protrudes out of the dashboard and is surrounded by piano black and some shortcut buttons on the screen itself. So, connectivity features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only via the S Plus Package. 

Talking about rear seats, there’s 31 inches of legroom and 36 inches of headroom. So there is not a ton of space, but it will be comfortable for two adults. I could slide my feet up underneath the front seat for additional comfort. However, I will point out that these rear seats are a little bit firm for my liking. 

More cargo space than the bigger Sentra

Talking about the cargo space, there’s 14.7 cubic feet for the S trim. The same extends to 15.0 cu-ft for the SV and SR trims. It’s actually better than the Nissan Sentra at 14.3 cu-ft. Also, there‘s optional 60/40 split folding rear seats with the S Plus Package or standard on SV and Sr trim levels.

2024 Nissan Versa Is Not Meant For Performance

Under the hood of every 2024 Nissan Versa is a 1.6-liter inline-four engine. The same one’s found on the Nissan Kicks as well. It makes 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels only, and there’s a manual transmission for the base S trim. However, a CVt is available and standard on the above trim levels. 

Lackluster acceleration but impressive efficiency 

With a focus on frugality, there’s nothing much you can do for quick acceleration. A 0-60 sprint takes a slow 10.0 seconds. Cruising around the town is not much of a problem, but overtaking needs patience. The above sacrifices compensate for a superior fuel economy of 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined with the CVT. 

2024 Nissan Versa Handles Well For Its Price 

The 2024 Nissan Versa provides acceptable acceleration off the line. The throttle response is good, even with the air conditioning. We have a continuously variable transmission on board, and it does have a shift simulation under certain circumstances. Although it will not simulate, if you go really, really hard on the throttle.

The Versa is really capable when it comes to ride quality. You won’t feel many of the road imperfections inside the cabin. The steering feels accurate, and even the brake pedal feels progressive. Even on corners, it feels well under control. So, from a driver’s perspective, the Versa is a very decent car. Even the NVH levels are refined for their class.

Should You Buy One? 

Well, that depends entirely on your purpose for buying this car. If you need a good car with great fuel economy, an affordable price tag, and is easy to live with, then the 2024 Nissan Versa might just be the one for you.