2017 Nissan Versa Review

Name: 2017 Nissan Versa Review
Brand: Nissan
Rating: 3.7 (53 reviews)

Price Range: $6,495 - $14,599

2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SL Sedan Exterior Shown

Nissan Versa 1.6 SV Sedan Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

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

What’s new

For 2017, the Nissan Versa gets a new SV Special Edition option package along with minor interior tweaks.

Vehicle overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$122/mo

$158/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

On the road, the 2017 Nissan Versa delivers a comfortable ride quality even over rough road surfaces. The downside to this comfort-oriented suspension is overly soft and uninspiring handling. Acceleration also leaves something to be desired, and the engine gets loud when pressed hard in passing or merging situations. This is especially true in Versas fitted with the continuously variable transmission, which exacerbates the droning engine note.

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.

2017 Nissan Versa models

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).

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#13 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Versa from 2008-2022.}

$391/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.94x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.6%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Nissan Versa.

5 (34%)

4 (28%)

3 (23%)

2 (6%)

1 (9%)

3.7

53 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 53 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Totally Awesome Car

Dave the Rave, 06/26/2016

2016 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

I bought this for my daughter, whose used car was on its last legs. I am very happy with our Versa S 5 speed manual. Attention Tall drivers: I am 6' 6" and I fit comfortably with plenty of head and leg room in the front seats. Rear seating has less headroom, but plenty of leg room. The seats are comfortable with lumbar support even on my base model. I do not feel like I am in a … subcompact when in this car. It feels roomy. The AC is nice and cold and instrumentation is easy to see and use. What makes this car special, though, is how much fun it is to drive. We have the zippy 5 speed manual. I really had forgotten how much fun it is to drive a stick, and the versa puts a smile on my face. The gearing seems well spaced with just enough growl to enjoy. Braking is good and solid, and the handbrake is easily used to prevent rollback. The only drawback for me is that there is only one keyhole, on the driver's door, which I will hope stays functional. Having replaced power window mechanisms and keys with chips in other cars, I am happy with the crank windows and standard keys ( get a copy at Home Depot) that will keep my money in my pocket. Overall, for the price, an excellent value and a fun car to drive. Update: The above review was for my daughter's car, but 3 months later my own car died. Because I continue to be impressed by this car, I went and got a Versa S 5-Speed Manual for myself. I love zipping around in this car. It is fun, roomy and comfortable. BTW the Bluetooth Phone system is excellent. Callers can't tell I'm talking hands-free and I can devote my attention to shifting. I am very happy with my decision to buy two of these - for what I had previously paid for one car. Update in 2018: I still love this car. It is dependable and a joy to drive. Frugal drivers take note: It uses regular oil, not the expensive synthetics. Update in 2023: My Versa is still going strong, with a little under 70k miles. I have had no mechanical problems and still find driving it a blast! Since I garage the car, and park it far from other cars when shopping, the finish still gleams, so it still looks great. I am very happy with it! Update in 2024. I have 71K miles now. I had my first major repair. I needed my clutch replaced. It cost $3K at the dealership. I still love this car. It is dependable and I have discovered that it has roomier legroom in the backseat than many small SUVs.

2017 Versa My First Car

AM, 12/09/2016

2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I went to Nissan looking to see what kind of car I could afford. I was not expecting to walk out and get into a new car! However, the car was suggested to me since it would be my first car. I have learned a lot about the Versa since I have had it for about 2 1/2 months. The car is comfortable the storage space is roomy especially for the back seats. The engine is noisy but the car runs …

Excellent for the money

Frank, 06/05/2016

2016 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

The good: Great price, I paid under $11,500 out the door (tax, license, etc included). I paid more for a 1991 Civic LX in 1990. That Civic had electric door locks and power windows, but no ABS or airbags. I like the ride. I wouldn't call it plush, but certainly comfortable for a small car. I find the car fairly quiet ... I don't have problem with using the phone when driving at … highway speed. The 5MT and engine provide acceptable power ... I don't notice the problem going up hills the professional reviews have commented on. Gas mileage is excellent ... getting higher than advertised if I don't roast it. The manual transmission and clutch are really smooth and easy to use. Long throw, but the clutch engagement is really light. I like the steering ... it is quite strongly assisted, but it is easy to turn the wheel. I can see how some prefer more feel, but this doesn't bother me. The trunk is huge. There is a donut spare, but it looks like there is room for a full size spare. There wasn't in my 1991 Civic ... I did buy the full sized spare for that car but it didn't fit in the well. For this Versa, a full size spare would definitely fit. Hands free phone works great; connection with my android was painless. With the aux in and a $5 lighter-USB adapter, I play music on my phone no problem. I haven't used my CDs since ripping them, but now they have a use. There is a remote trunk release inside the cabin. The bad: The display (mileage, miles left in the tank, trip, etc) could be better ... you have to choose displays so I can't see trip and total miles or miles per tank on the same display. There is a tachometer, but only idiot lights for everything else. Not much adjustment for the seat, but it does fit me quite well. The steering wheel does adjust up and down. The rear seat backs don't fold down on this model. Rear brakes are drum. Storage is limited. Although the glove compartment is huge (non locking), other than this, cup holders in middle and on doors, and a small slot between seats, there is no storage. A space for quarters or storage of little things would have been nice. The ugly: No automatic door locks takes some getting used to. The locks are a bit more difficult to actuate than they should be. Only one door lock on the driver side ... lets hope it never goes bad. OTOH, I just leave the car doors open with nothing of value inside. Other than that, not much else I can gripe about. There is an amazing amount of space for the rear passengers. Comments on the car ratings from professional reviews. I look at several sites that provide professional reviews and see this car at or near the bottom. I wanted an inexpensive commuter car with good gas mileage, hands free phone, the ability to play music on my phone, and this car fits the bill nicely. It has hard plastic inside ... oh boo hoo. If this is what you have to complain about, things are looking pretty good. Cars costing thousands more have more features ... duh. Pushing 70k now @ 3.5 years. An annoying rattle has started. The sole door lock froze up last month ... I needed to use lock deicer. Keep some in your trunk. Over 80K miles on her now. Some rattles, some squeaks but I still love this car. Third set of tires are Yoko Avids ... car does quite well in snow. Key in my Versa S doesn't have a transponder chip and is thus very cheap if you need to make a copy. Now she has 115K miles .... I need tires again and will probably have to do the brake pads this year, but it's been problem free. I'd buy this car again in a heartbeat.

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tick hicks, 07/23/2017

2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I got my 2017 Nissan Versa back in March of this year, my biggest complaint is about the dealership that sold me the car. But I am not reviewing this major Dallas dealership, I am reviewing the car. I had been renting cars a lot, one of the rentals I drove was a Versa. I loved driving the rental so very much that I had to buy one. In the city I am averaging over 31 miles per a gal. I …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Nissan Versa, so we've included reviews for other years of the Versa since its last redesign.

See all 53 reviews of the Nissan Versa

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2017 Versa Highlights

Trim:

1.6 S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$11,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$122/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the Versa include:

Back-up camera
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2017 Nissan Versa Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Driving

Interior

2017 Nissan Versa models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Totally Awesome Car

2017 Versa My First Car

Excellent for the money

Get car to build credit

2017 Versa Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}