more about this model
Pros Least expensive car on the market, roomy cabin, huge trunk, plush seats, soft-touch interior surfaces.
Cons Skimpy features list, engine protests loudly when pushed, banal handling.
Recessions can create windows of opportunity, and Nissan certainly realized this when it rolled out the Versa 1.6 in November of last year. Up until that point, the S had been the Versa's most affordable trim level, but the 1.6 -- equipped with a smaller, more fuel-efficient engine and a thinned, positively emaciated list of available features (one that excludes basics like power windows) -- undercut its price by thousands. The manufacturer's intent was clear: to create a value-filled car that would appeal to the most cash-strapped, recession-plagued shoppers.
The resolutely sensible 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan does certain things quite well. Its roomy interior facilitates comfort, and its spacious trunk adds utility; its cabin also features a fair number of soft-touch surfaces -- a rarity in the ultra-budget segment. But like the single-minded college student who chooses study hall over beer-drenched bacchanals, this practical Nissan isn't exactly a party animal -- both the Honda Fit and the Hyundai Accent are more fun to be with.
The 1.6 is so tightly focused on frugality that it doesn't even allow you the indulgence of happily humiliating yourself with air-guitar solos at red lights -- believe it or not, this trim isn't available with a radio. Thankfully, it comes pre-wired for audio, so adding some tunes shouldn't be much of a problem.
The 2009 Nissan Versa might be less convivial than the Fit, but its base price is almost $5,000 cheaper; more than just inexpensive, this Nissan is the most inexpensive new car on the market. And when you put it all together, the Versa 1.6 -- with its spacious cabin and comfy seats -- delivers more than most would expect, given its unassuming price. If the words "basic" and "inexpensive" sum up what you're looking for in a new car, you'll want to spend some time getting to know this very cheap date.
Performance Under the hood is an industrious 1.6-liter engine good for 107 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of torque; it's paired with a five-speed manual transmission. On paper, this combo is less saucy than that of the manual-equipped S, which is decked out with a six-speed manual transmission and a 1.8-liter engine serving up 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque.
Surprisingly, though, the 1.6 doesn't come across as being a step down from its more endowed sibling. It never feels overwhelmed on the road, and its transmission actually feels more compliant than that of the S -- its shifter is more direct and easier to engage. Acceleration is capable. Our 2009 Nissan Versa test car made it from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, a time that ties the Hyundai Accent's and beats the 10.2-second jog of the Honda Fit.
Ride quality is somewhat mushy; on the plus side, though, bumps and inconsistencies are kept at arm's length. Steering is nicely weighted, but less precise than that of others in this class. The slalom run was completed at 63.3 mph -- a speed that's slightly ahead of the Fit's, but 2 mph slower than the Accent's.
Chalk this loss up to the Versa's towering stature and corresponding higher center of gravity. Our test-driver noted that while its response time is initially better than the Accent's, the sedan's tall height doesn't work in its favor as it tackles the cones. The Versa manages a decent showing when it comes to braking. A panic stop was achieved from 60 mph in 132 feet, a figure that's slightly ahead of the Fit's (136 feet).
The Versa 1.6 is rated at 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. This fuel economy is about average for the segment -- neck-and-neck with that of the Fit and the Accent, but trailing that of the ultra-frugal Chevy Aveo (30 mpg combined) and Toyota Yaris (32 mpg combined).
Comfort The 2009 Nissan Versa rewards its pilot with a clear view of the road ahead thanks to its high, upright driver seat. Our test car wasn't equipped with height-adjustable seating, but its standard tilt steering column allowed for some customization of the driving position. The oversized seats are plush and comfortable, though some editors noted that they became less agreeable on longer road trips. Front legroom is ample, and the tall Versa offers more headroom than most rivals.
Rear legroom is class-leading; however, the Versa's relative narrowness makes its backseat a tight fit for three passengers. Taller editors complained that the rear-seat cushions were too short to properly support their longer limbs.
There's quite a bit of road and wind noise to contend with; our editors noted whistling coming from the A-pillar, along with abundant tire slap. The engine also becomes unpleasantly raucous when pushed. While most competitors are pretty clamorous, there are more serene choices to consider, like the Hyundai Accent.
Function Circled with metallic trim, the 2009 Nissan Versa's gauges feature attractive fonts and a legible layout. Heating and air-conditioning are governed by the tried-and-true three-knob setup that's intuitive and easy to use. Less user-friendly are the sedan's window cranks; they're placed quite low on the door, and this makes them awkward to access. When you want to roll down the windows in low light or at night, the floor-grazing location of the cranks makes them difficult to find.
Decent storage opportunities are to be had within the cabin. The door bins are wide and deep; there's also a deep glovebox, along with covered center-console bins. The space normally occupied by a radio has a fairly capacious storage nook. The sedan's four cupholders are well-placed -- they're on the center console, but they're far from the shifter, so you can use them without compromising your ability to change gears.
The sedan's second row is spacious enough to accommodate a rear-facing child seat placed directly behind the driver, with enough room for even our taller editors to fit behind the wheel. Its trunk is roomy, too -- with 13.8 cubes of space, the Versa's is one of the larger trunks in its segment, and it's generous enough to gulp down golf clubs and a standard-size suitcase. However, accessing the trunk is a bit of a hassle, since there's no trunk release latch within the cabin. The trunk locks every time it is closed, and can only be opened by inserting the key.
Design/Fit and Finish The Versa's sheet metal -- with its inoffensive curves and meek snub nose -- is nondescript, but in its favor, it doesn't look ultra-cheap. The car's exterior could easily trick onlookers into thinking it costs more (well, a little bit more) than it actually does, and the same is true of its cabin. Seats are swathed in supple tricot suede, and the same fabric lines soft-touch panels on the doors and the dash.
Our test car's panel gaps and alignment were in keeping with economy-car norms -- in other words, they were pretty inconsistent. In some places, the alignment was fine, but the gaps on our car's trunk were so wide they initially fooled us into thinking someone had left the trunk open.
Who should consider this vehicle Its spacious trunk and roomy cabin make the 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 a good choice for smaller families with an eye on maximizing savings. Bargain-minded seniors will also like it for its high, comfortable seats and easily accessible cabin. Finally, this sedan is a must-see for all new-car shoppers seeking the most basic transportation at the lowest price.
Others To Consider
Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Used 2009 Nissan Versa listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2009 Nissan Versas for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 515 used and CPO 2009 Versas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 2,000 and mileage as low as 40,696. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2009 Nissan Versa. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 220 on a used or CPO 2009 Versa available from one of 2,632 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2009 Nissan Versa ?
Save up to $220 on one of 30 used 2009 Nissan Versas for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $3299 as of Apr 23, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 50 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1.7 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2009 Nissan Versa trim styles:
The used 2009 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL is priced around $6474 with average odometer reading of 84020 miles.
The used 2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 Base is priced around $4665 with average odometer reading of 110856 miles.
The used 2009 Nissan Versa 1.8 S is priced around $5923 with average odometer reading of 96630 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
Available Nissan Versa 2009 Submodel Types: Hatchback, Sedan
Available Nissan Versa 2009 Trims: 1.6 SV, 1.6 S Plus, 1.6 S, 1.8 S, 1.6 SL, 1.8 SL, 1.6 Base
Exterior Colors: Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red, Graphite Blue, Deep Blue Pearl, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Titanium, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Metallic Blue, Red Brick, Sapphire Blue, Super Black, Amethyst Gray, Blue Onyx Metallic, Brilliant Silver, Espresso Black Metallic, Fresh Powder, Magnetic Gray, Red Alert, Red Brick Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Blue Onyx, Red Alert Metallic, Sapphire Blue Metallic, Sonoma Sunset
Interior Colors: Charcoal premium cloth, Charcoal cloth, Sandstone premium cloth, Beige cloth, Sport Charcoal premium cloth, Beige premium cloth
Popular Features: Stability Control, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Rear Bench Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Navigation, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Keyless Entry/Start, Alarm, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2009 Nissan Versa Overview
The used 2009 Nissan Versa is offered in the following submodels: Sedan, Hatchback. Available styles include 1.8 S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A), 1.8 SL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A), and 1.8 S 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Versa models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2009 Versa comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
