2017 Nissan Versa
Pros
- Roomy interior with an adult-friendly backseat
- Low base price
- Comfortable ride
- Large trunk & high fuel economy with CVT
Cons
- Bland performance and personality
- Noisy engine
- No telescoping steering wheel
- Maximum towing and payload capacities slightly lower than rivals
2017 Nissan Versa pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Virtually every fast food place has some sort of "value menu" filled with good stuff at prices that won't break the bank. Which, when you stop to think of it, is a remarkably good analogy for the 2017 Nissan Versa. This compact sedan offers some appealing qualities for not a lot of dough. High points include a smooth ride, good fuel economy, a large trunk and one of the roomiest rear seats in the segment.
Of course, as you'd expect, the entry-level Versa model isn't exactly lavishly equipped. That means you'll have to spring for one of the higher (and more expensive) trim levels to get many of the amenities you might want, such as keyless entry, cruise control, and power windows and door locks. The Versa's acceleration and handling are also a bit lackluster compared to the performance of most competing sedans.
Some of our favorites in this class include the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta and new Toyota Yaris iA, all of which offer sharper handling and more engaging styling and design. The Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio also boast better acceleration and more style at a similar price point. But if you're primarily looking for a car that provides maximum interior room at a minimum price, the 2017 Nissan Versa could be worth a look.
The 2017 Nissan Versa comes standard with antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera is standard on the SL and optional on the SV.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Versa SL sedan came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet, which is about 6 feet longer than the segment average.
In government crash tests, the Versa sedan earned four stars (out of a possible five) for front-crash protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Versa sedan earned a top rating of Good in the moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact and roof strength tests. The Versa's head restraint and seat design was given a second-highest rating of Acceptable for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
2017 Nissan Versa configurations
The 2017 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan offered in four trim levels: S, S Plus, SV and SL. The Nissan Versa Note hatchback is covered in a separate review.
The entry-level S model comes with 15-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, manual locks and windows, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a trip computer, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, steering-wheel audio controls and an auxiliary audio input jack.
The S Plus gets a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT), a rear spoiler and cruise control.
Stepping up to the SV model gets you remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, upgraded cloth upholstery and interior trim, a height-adjustable driver's seat with an armrest, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, upgraded instrumentation, map lights and a USB port.
The new SV Special Edition option package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, chrome exterior accents, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera, an audio system with a 5-inch color display, satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio and a hands-free text messaging feature.
The SL trim starts with the contents of the aforementioned SV Special Edition package and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless ignition and entry, and a navigation system.
The 2017 Nissan Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the S, and a four-speed automatic is optional. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard on all other Versa models. All transmissions send power to the front wheels.
In Edmunds performance testing, a Versa sedan with the CVT went from zero to 60 mph in 10.4 seconds, which is about a half-second slower than the average subcompact or compact sedan.
With the CVT automatic, EPA estimated fuel economy stands at an excellent 35 mpg combined (31 city/39 highway), though most competitors achieve similar numbers. With the standard five-speed manual transmission, those numbers dip to 30 mpg combined (27 city/36 highway). The four-speed automatic also gets 29 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway).
Driving
Interior
The 2017 Nissan Versa is roomy, though we haven't found it to be particularly comfortable. The combination of the lack of a height-adjustable driver seat on lower trim levels and the tilt-only adjustable steering wheel can make it hard to find a comfortable driving position. The rear seats are the big story here, though, with enough head- and legroom to accommodate 6-footers, something few rival models can claim.
Though the Versa's interior is bare-bones, the gauges and controls are easy to see and operate. The fact that upscale items such as a rearview camera and navigation system can be had is a positive, but it bears noting that adding these goodies chips away at the Versa's price advantage.
Out back, the Versa's huge trunk offers 14.9 cubic feet of cargo room. If that isn't enough for you, the 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks on SV and SL models open up still more space for your stuff.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Nissan Versa.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
Safety
2017 Nissan Versa for Sale
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See your car's valueThe 2017 Nissan Versa is built around a simple philosophy: If cheap is good, then cheaper is better. With a nominal starting base price of $11,990 (before destination charges), it's among the very least expensive new cars sold in the United States. But this tiny, teeny, extraordinarily ordinary front-wheel-drive four-door isn't without its charms. But, of course, the charming starts with the pricing.
Keeping that in mind, the Versa is roomy inside relative to its puny exterior, it rides well considering its relatively unsophisticated suspension, and the trunk holds an amazing amount of stuff. Is it fun to drive? If you're the type of person who daydreams about how much money you haven't spent, it's a total blast. The rest of us, however, know what lackluster feels like when we drive it.
The most basic Versa is the S that at least includes a hands-free Bluetooth cellphone hookup plumbed into its standard AM/FM/CD sound system. And it rides on 15-inch-diameter wheels built from genuine steel, too. Like all Versa models, it's powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that strives for adequacy and achieves 109 horsepower. It's backed by either a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.
One step from there is the S Plus, which adds a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), cruise control, a rear deck spoiler and another $2,140 to the bottom line. After that, it's a march up the line through the mainstream SV, SV Special Edition and line-topping SL. And up at the SL mezzanine, items such as 16-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera and remotely controlled outside mirrors are part of the deal.
A cheap car ought to be cheap to operate and the Versa's fuel economy ought to keep the total financial outlay modest. The S with the manual transmission is EPA rated at 30 mpg combined (27 city/36 highway). Versa models equipped with the CVT automatic are rated at 34 mpg combined (31 city/39 highway). The numbers for the four-speed automatic transmission offered in the S fail to impress: 29 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway).
There's nothing pretentious about the Versa, no matter what the trim level. This is a car that's optimized for basic transportation and that it does quite well.
Keeping things cheap means having a keen knowledge of both the car you're buying and the market environment in which you're buying it. That's exactly what Edmunds is committed to helping you achieve as you look for the 2017 Nissan Versa that's right for you.
2017 Nissan Versa Overview
The 2017 Nissan Versa is offered in the following submodels: Versa Sedan. Available styles include 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M), 1.6 SL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), and 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A).
What do people think of the 2017 Nissan Versa?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Nissan Versa and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Versa 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Versa.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Nissan Versa and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Versa featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Nissan Versa?
2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $17,210. The average price paid for a new 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is trending $3,715 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,715 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$13,495.
The average savings for the 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is21.6% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $15,390. The average price paid for a new 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is trending $2,922 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2,922 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$12,468.
The average savings for the 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is19% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2017 Nissan Versas are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Nissan Versa for sale near. There are currently 2 new 2017 Versas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $15,390 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap 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 2017 Nissan Versa. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $3,715 on a used or CPO 2017 Versa available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2017 Nissan Versas you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Nissan Versa for sale - 1 great deals out of 23 listings starting at $7,340.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 Nissan Versa?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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