2021 Nissan Versa Offers Budget-Friendly Practicality

Name: 2021 Nissan Versa
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $8,450 - $20,590

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Nissan Versa is a well-built small sedan, with plenty of space inside and enough standard technology and safety features to easily justify its price. High fuel economy is another bonus. The Versa's slow acceleration is a bummer, but overall the Versa is a smart pick for an affordable small sedan.

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Average price: $15,057

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Appraise My 2021 Nissan Versa

Nissan Versa model years

Nissan Versa for Sale

Pros

Plenty of safety features available at a reasonable price
Sizable trunk
High fuel economy
Easy-to-use infotainment system

Cons

Sluggish acceleration
Not much interior storage for small items

What's new

The Versa returns largely unchanged for 2021
Part of the third Versa generation introduced for 2020

Affordable subcompact with legit cargo space

Written by automotive expert Reese Counts

12/22/2020

The 2021 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan that's one of the most affordable new cars on sale today. It's the least expensive and smallest model in Nissan's lineup, slotting just below the Sentra. Despite the Versa's diminutive dimensions, it offers a surprising amount of cargo space, making it more useful than it might seem. It is also available with plenty of safety features, and the cabin doesn't feel like it was built to a budget. After a full redesign for 2020, the Nissan Versa heads into 2021 relatively unchanged.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

29 listings

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2021 Nissan Versa
S Sedan
$15,998
- 60,460 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 32 City / 40 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Frederick (18 mi away)
- Free delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Lane Departure Warni...
Close
Located in Gaithersburg, MD
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
35 Combined MPG (32 City/40 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CN8DV3ML911132
Stock: 28443329
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2021 Nissan Versa
SV Sedan
$8,450
good price
$1,278 below market
- 99,439 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 32 City / 40 Hwy MPG
- Miran Motors (8 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Parking sensors
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
Miran Motors: -150 MILES FREE SHIPPING TO YOUR HOUSE WITH FULL PURCHASE PRICE.-All our Vehicles Passed VA safety inspection before listing for sales.-...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
35 Combined MPG (32 City/40 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CN8EV1ML871860
Stock: MQM1069
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-07-2025

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The Versa is one of the few remaining subcompact cars left on sale, with most automakers dropping small cars from their lineups to focus on crossover SUVs. The Hyundai Accent and mechanically similar Kia Rio are both recently redesigned and offer quiet, comfortable rides and spacious cabins. Their warranties are also much more generous than the Versa's. The Mitsubishi Mirage isn't exactly a stellar car, but it's available as both a sedan and hatchback, is equipped with an excellent warranty, and delivers decent fuel economy. If you're willing to spend a bit more, there are a ton of passenger-friendly small SUVs on the market, including the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul and Nissan's own Kicks.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Nissan Versa on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance: Slow acceleration, sharp handling

6.5/10

How does the Versa drive? The Versa's four-cylinder engine takes its time getting you up to speed. There's little issue in typical driving around town or fitting in with traffic. But in cases where you need to pull away quick or have limited space to make a pass, the Versa leaves you wanting badly.

You'll be more satisfied with the Versa's handling. It stays composed when going around turns. The steering can feel a little too heavy at times, but it's accurate and allows you to point the Versa where you want to go with ease.

Comfort: Zero Gravity seats, but compromises everywhere

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Versa? Nissan includes its Zero Gravity seats in the Versa. Those in the SV trim have comfortable cloth that is generally firm, but the seats run a little narrow under the shoulders. They offer great support on short- and medium-length drives, though the lack of sufficient lumbar support might require breaks over longer trips.

The car has a comfortable ride if the road surface is decent but gets bouncy over lesser-quality roads. Wind noise is prevalent inside the cabin, and if the car hits any bumps, you will hear it as much as you feel it. Another aspect holding the Versa back in this category is its climate control system. The controls don't allow enough fine adjustment to find exactly the right cabin comfort you're looking for.

Interior: Roomy, easy access, readable tech

8/10

How’s the interior? The Versa scores high for its interior design. It's easy to get inside and adjust the seat to your preferred driving position. The cabin is relatively roomy too. Even at the highest driving position, which feels almost like you're in an SUV, there is plenty of headroom with space to stretch your legs. It's similarly spacious for passengers in both the front and back.

The touchscreen is responsive and provides a clear picture. The controls on the center stack and steering wheel are straightforward, and you can use the tuning button to scroll through screens, which is easier than poking the touchscreen while driving. It's pretty easy to see out of the Versa thanks to the short hood and large windows.

Technology: Mediocrity in audio, smart safety quirks

7/10

How’s the tech? The Versa comes with a basic four-speaker audio system and it sounds like it. You'll need to turn up the volume all the way up to drown out exterior noise. Onboard navigation is not an option, but optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility allows you to get directions through your phone. Pleasingly, they work quickly to display your phone's apps on the screen.

The Versa's advanced driver safety aids are helpful without being intrusive. Forward collision warning activates with a simple string of beeps. Lane-keeping warnings are also gentle buzzes. The biggest weak points are a low-resolution rearview camera and an overly sensitive backup collision mitigation system. During our testing, this system mistakenly triggered when one of our drivers was backing into a street from a mildly inclined driveway. It slammed the car to a stop.

Storage: Big trunk wins, small spaces lose

7/10

How’s the storage? The Versa has a lot of trunk space for this class of car. Cargo capacity is 14.7 cubic feet, more than most competitors, and the trunk space has enough depth to accommodate larger items. The load floor is relatively low for a sedan, and the rear seats fold down, but not flat, if needed.

Small-item storage is not a strong suit. The center armrest is optional and can barely fit a smartphone. Child seat accommodation is better. There is good space for a rear-facing seat in the back. The lower car-seat anchor points are hidden between cushions, but they're easy to locate and attach to. The rear seats have integrated headrests, which means you have to wrap the strap around them to attach to the rear tether hooks.

Fuel Economy: CVT Versa crushes EPA estimates

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Versa equipped with the CVT automatic has EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg combined (32 city/40 highway). That's right up at the top of the class. Our test Versa soared above that with a 41.1 mpg average on our 115-mile test route that combines street, mountain roads and freeway driving.

Value: Versa under $20k stays decent

8/10

Is the Versa a good value? The Versa offers basic affordability without feeling like you're punishing yourself. It feels tightly built, with higher-quality materials than typical for the class, and provides more pizzazz than your usual econo-sedan. There is interesting tech and enough safety equipment to easily justify the cost of entry, with room to add options and still stay under $20,000.

Nissan offers a pretty middle-of-the-road warranty with basic coverage for three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage for five years/60,000 miles. Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi all go up to 10 years/100,000 miles. Roadside assistance is offered for three years/36,000 miles. Most rivals offer better coverage, and some provide free maintenance for up to three years.

Wildcard: No-delusions economy car, thankfully decent

7/10

The Versa has no delusions of grandeur. There are no superfluous paddle shifters, fake vents or Sport mode. It's an economy car that offers space and safety technology at an attractive value. That said, the steering and handling are decent for the price, and even a few of us will admit we like the style and feel of the flat-bottom steering wheel. This is a slow car. There's no getting around it. But the Versa makes a good effort to avoid being soulless.

2021 Nissan Versa trim level differences

The 2021 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan available in three trims: S, SV and SR. Every Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque) that sends power to the front wheels. A five-speed manual is standard on the S, though a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. The CVT is standard on SV and SR models. Compare the 2021 Nissan Versa trim levels in-depth.

Which Versa trim does Edmunds recommend?

While the base S model comes with a decent list of features, we suggest stepping up to the midlevel SV trim. For not much more money, you get a somewhat upgraded interior, a blind-spot monitoring system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$164/mo

$225/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Model

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Reliability

The 2021 Nissan Versa has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #13 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#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

$391/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

0.94x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

10.6%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 23V496000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: PMA26
Number of vehicles affected:: 11824
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
Defect Consequence:: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA26. This recall involves vehicles that were previously inspected, but did not receive a steering column replacement, under recall number 22V-693. These vehicles will need to be reinspected for this recall.

Recall Number:: 22V693000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: PMA10 / PM
Number of vehicles affected:: 20040
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
Defect Consequence:: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PMA10 / PMA25.

Recall Number:: 21V471000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: PM986 / PC
Number of vehicles affected:: 30799
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Defect Consequence:: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Nissan Versa Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

37 reviews

5(68%)

4(8%)

3(5%)

2(8%)

1(11%)

See all 37 reviews of the Nissan Versa

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Versa Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$14,980
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Versa models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Detects vehicles and pedestrians ahead and automatically applies the brakes if a collision is imminent and the driver doesn't react in time.
Rear Door Alert: Uses the horn, door sensors and driver display to remind the driver to check the rear seat for children after the vehicle is parked.
Lane Departure Warning: Monitors lane markings and alerts the driver if the Versa starts to drift out of its lane without a turn signal being used.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.8%

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
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2021 Nissan Versa Offers Budget-Friendly Practicality

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Affordable subcompact with legit cargo space

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance: Slow acceleration, sharp handling

Comfort: Zero Gravity seats, but compromises everywhere

Interior: Roomy, easy access, readable tech

Technology: Mediocrity in audio, smart safety quirks

Storage: Big trunk wins, small spaces lose

Fuel Economy: CVT Versa crushes EPA estimates

Value: Versa under $20k stays decent

Wildcard: No-delusions economy car, thankfully decent

2021 Nissan Versa trim level differences

Which Versa trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Nissan Versa Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Versa Features & Specs

Safety

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