2013 Nissan Versa

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Rating7.0

Ranked #3 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$11,990 - $16,890
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Lower price tag

Outdated interior

Drivetrain upgrade improves mileage

Impressive fuel economy

Lacks exterior appeal

Aerodynamic update with the decklid spoiler

Feature deficit trims

Specs & Features

$12,990

price

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

4-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Nissan has been one of those brands which rarely leaves any stone unturned, but it is truly said that you can’t be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. The quote feels even more lively when you analyze the 2013 Nissan Versa, which is a baggage of mixed feelings. It is evident on paper that there have been some tweaks in the drivetrain and aerodynamics.

Buying Advice

The lower trims are cheap, and so do their features. Except for safety, there is literally no point in considering them at all. The highest trim SL is comparable to competitors and is more packed and well-organized than its sibling. The trims except for the SL are lackluster in comfort and interior engagement. The entertainment pack is also more involving for you in the SL. Therefore, skip the line and own an SL.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Moreover, one has to praise Nissan for launching a sedan that can be owned by the general masses with a starting price of $12,780 which tends to increase up to $17,680. On the contrary, the maximum price tag of the Versa is the beginning of its rivals. The Toyota CorollaHonda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra are among the few which are at their prime to dethrone the Versa of whatever it owns.

Features
7.0/10

Available in 4 formats: S, S Plus, SV, and SL, the 2013 Nissan Versa is simply one of the cheapest sedans in the market. The S trim is available in either manual or automatic, while the other trims get a CVT attached to them. The S trim and S Plus get the cloth-trimmed seats, while the SL just improves in the degree and not the kind. The S Plus and higher trims get a rear spoiler to improve their dynamics. Moreover, the SV has been given a 4 Speaker Audio Unit for playing your favorite music all day long.

Trim

S

S Plus

SV

SL

MSRP (Manual)

$12,780

N/A

N/A

N/A

MSRP (Auto/CVT)

$13,780

$14,580

$16,030

$17,680

Key Features

EPAS

Same as S with added features:

4 Speaker Audio Unit

Vehicle dynamic control

 

15" x 5.5" steel wheels

CVT

Transmission shift interlock

15" x 5.5" 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels

 

P185/65HR15 all-season tires

Rear Spoiler

Zone body construction

Bluetooth hands-free phone system

 

Cloth seat trim

 

Energy-absorbing steering column

Brake Assist

 

Electronic Brake Force Distribution 

 

Energy-absorbing Bumpers

Immobilizer system

The Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Vehicle Dynamic Control are standard across all the trims of Versa. There are a few other impressive attachments like the energy-absorbing panels that have been fixed over the Zone body construction. The list of interior tech-ends is brief and might be the denting segment as well. One gets a little extra from the Bluetooth hands-free phone system, XM satellite radio, and Speed-Sensitive Volume even in the highest trim.

We Recommend

The lower trims are cheap, and so do their features. Except for safety, there is literally no point in considering them at all. The highest trim SL is comparable to competitors and is more packed and well-organized than its sibling. The trims except for the SL are lackluster in comfort and interior engagement. The entertainment pack is also more involving for you in the SL. Therefore, skip the line and own an SL.

Engine and Performance
6.0/10

The standard 1.6L I-4 has been placed under the hood of all the trims of the 2013 Versa which can produce the power of 109 hp and torque of 107 lb-ft. The powertrain is coupled with either a manual or automatic in the S trim. Apart from the S, the CVT is common for the rest. This helps Versa achieve an acceleration that can move from a standstill to a speed of 60 mph within 10.1 seconds. The FWD layout, as general placement, has some understeering, which is canceled out by the dynamic control unit to some extent.

Model

2013 Nissan Versa

2013 Toyota Corolla

2013 Honda Civic

2013 Hyundai Elantra

MSRP

$17,680

$17,040

$18,955

$17,760

Engine

1.6L I-4

1.8L I-4

1.8L I-4

1.8L I-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

CVT

5-Speed Manual

5-Speed Manual

6-Speed Manual

Power

(hp @ RPM)

109 @ 6000

132 @ 6000

140 @ 6500

148 @ 6500

Torque

(lb-ft @ RPM)

107 @ 4400

128 @ 4400

128 @ 4300

131 @ 4700

0-60 MPH (seconds)

10.1

10.1

10.1

7.9

Quarter mile (seconds)

17.4

N/A

N/A

N/A

Top speed (mph)

108

N/A

130

116

Call it a coincidence or whatever you may so that the Versa Corolla and Civic have the same timing for the 0-60 mph mark, while the Elantra outclasses all. The top speed, on the other hand, favors Civic with 130 mph on the meter. Honestly speaking, the manual gear shift might be the art of driving, but the CVT of the Versa is an easy drive with smooth shifting which boosts the economy as well. All of them have comparable engine capacity but what makes the difference are power distribution and power to weight ratio.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

Fuel economy is definitely a forte of the 2013 Nissan Versa as it offers 31 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highways, and 35 overall, which when coupled with 10.8 gallons of fuel tank gives a range of 432 miles. One need not worry much about daily commuting, but long traveling might be an issue with it. It already has the segment-leading return among the rivals, so a bigger fuel tank capacity will eventually fill the void. The rivals have comparatively lower mileage, but their tanks keep the refueling miles away.

Model

2013 Nissan Versa

2013 Toyota Corolla

2013 Honda Civic

2013 Hyundai Elantra

MPG (city)

31

27

28

28

MPG (Highway)

40

34

36

38

MPG (Combined)

35

30

31

32

Fuel Capacity

10.8

13.2

13.2

12.8

Range (City/hwy)

334.80 / 432

356.40 / 448.8

369.60 / 475.2

358.40 / 486.4

The engine capacity for all of them is somewhat close to one another. None of them have either a supercharger or turbo integrated into it. That is why the rivals have a similar standing, altogether, in the end. But one of the keynotes to observe is that the Elantra is the most practical one as it has supreme acceleration and mileage at the same time. Thus, it sets a benchmark for others to follow.

Interior
8.0/10

The 2013 Nissan Versa lacks the feel of any premium touch or leatherette inside the cabin. The cloth trimming for the seat is all you get even in the highest trim. The standard bucket seats are neither ventilated nor power-heated. Moreover, it is also average in its interior tech ends. The only difference one may spot across the trims is the finisher accent on the gear shifter. Apart from that, all of them have those standard air conditioning and Bluetooth controls. On the whole, it has a dull ambiance, which is not at all worth considering. 

Model

2013 Nissan Versa

2013 Toyota Corolla

2013 Honda Civic

2013 Hyundai Elantra

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.8/51.7/41.8

38.8/ 54.8/ 41.7

37.9/ 56.6/ 42.0

40.0/ 55.9/ 43.6

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

36.6/51.9/37

37.2/ 54.7/ 36.3

36.2/ 53.3/ 36.2

37.1/ 54.8/ 33.1

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

13.1

12.3

12.5

14.8

The Versa might lack the intangibility and comfort, but it is decent in its spaciousness. Even, the rear is acceptable to a large extent. It has one of the biggest cargo capacities of 13.1 cu-ft. The seating positioning and height make the interior ergonomics and visibility accessible as well. The analytics drive home the point about the parallelism in terms of space management for others simultaneously. Hence, all are immanent to the extremities of the segment. Some of the interior features include:

  • Cloth seat trim
  • Speed-sensitive power door locks
  • Power rear trunk release
  • Cargo area lamp

How intuitive is the 2013 Nissan Versa infotainment unit?

To be honest, the 2013 Versa is not of the same cadre, which is generally expected from Nissan. It is exceptionally deficient in its offering as it has nothing but a 2-speaker Audio Unit for the lower and 4-speaker audio set for the Higher trims along with a pair of AM/FM stereo and MP3 Player. A few of the other features are the XM satellite radio, Radio Data System, and iPod input. It does get the Speed Compensated Volume Control, but once done with that, the options are over. Some of the features are:

  • Speed Compensated Volume Control
  • XM satellite radio
  • AM/FM stereo
  • 4-speaker audio set

Exterior
6.0/10

That compelling attitude that radiates out of the general Nissan models is perfectly miss-matched in its silhouette. The cabin area is incommensurate with respect to the corresponding front and rear. It is even inconclusive what exactly Nissan wants to convey through its expression. But, the Versa does get a rear spoiler except for the S trim along with trunk lid finisher, which at least, improves the rating to some extent. The 15" x 5.5" 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels on which it rests have low rolling resistance, which is a plus point but as per look-wise add no extra inch of favoritism. 

Model

2013 Nissan Versa

2013 Toyota Corolla

2013 Honda Civic

2013 Hyundai Elantra

Curb Weight (lbs)

2440

2734

2740

2661

Length (in.)

176

180

179.4

178.3

Width (in.)

66.7

69.4

69

69.9

Height (in.)

60.4

57.7

56.5

56.5

Ground Clearance (in.)

6.8

5.8

N/A

5.5

Wheelbase (in.)

102.4

102.4

105.1

106.3

The Versa is one of the most compact sedans among the rivals yet allows you to seat yourself comfortably. It has even a decent ground clearance of 6.8 inches, which is desirable for 860 lbs of payload. The others are also close to the figures and have the same seating capacity, but each one of them has a disadvantage of extra weightage of at least 200 pounds which can affect their overall handling dynamics. Thus, cheers to the Versa for its versatility in this domain. Some of the exterior features are:

  • 15" x 5.5" 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
  • P185/65HR15 all-season tires
  • Rear roof spoiler
  • Trunk lid finisher

Safety
6.0/10

The 2013 Nissan Versa might not be an attractive one to own, but there is one reason because of which it has kept its market face value stable to date, and that reason is none other than its safety aids. The NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 in its crash test, while IIHS names it as the “Top Safety Pick” among the participants. This is assisted by an array of high-tech features like the Vehicle Dynamic Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Pure engineering in its energy-absorbing bumpers and steering wheels are as impressive as its impact resilient Zone body construction. Thus, there is hardly any sedan that is so armed at such a price tag. Some of the safety features are:

  • Electronic Brake Force Distribution
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control
  • Zone body construction
  • Energy-absorbing bumpers

Final Verdict

After analyzing all on various grounds, the 2013 Nissan Versa is not the best pick but can be considered after the Elantra. The lower trims are of no value, and the logic behind introducing them is still unclear. The only viable trim is the SL and has some decency in safety aids. But when it comes to appeal and feel, it is no different from its siblings. All in all, a practical car in terms of economy and space, yet its voyage is to find the shore.

Trims

    S
    $11,990 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    S Plus
    $13,790 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 109 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 117 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 35 mpg
    SV
    $15,240 onwards
    • Remote keyless entry
    SL
    $16,890 onwards
    • 15-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Front Fog/driving lights

Compare to similar cars

Price

$11,990- $16,890

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.97

Horsepower

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$16,200- $24,200

Gasoline

8.34

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4450 rpm

5

Read Review

$13,200- $18,200

Gasoline

7.6

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,965- $27,965

Gasoline

8.13

140 hp @ 6500 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,695- $21,115

Gasoline

8.08

148 hp @ 6500 rpm

131 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,545- $17,095

Gasoline

7.56

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$13,600- $17,900

Gasoline

7.76

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,230- $20,550

Gasoline

7.73

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.6 sec17.2 sec117 mph
    8 sec--
    2013 Kia Rio

    Ranked #1

    8 sec16.5 sec-
    8.1 sec16.4 sec130 mph
    8.1 sec--
    8.8 sec16.9 sec124 mph

    2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg10.8 gal.291.6/388.8 mi.
      29 mpg39 mpg33 mpg12 gal.359.6/483.6 mi.
      28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.4 gal.319.2/421.8 mi.
      2013 Kia Rio

      Ranked #2

      29 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.4 gal.330.6/421.8 mi.
      28 mpg38 mpg32 mpg12.8 gal.358.40/486.40 mi.
      28 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.

      2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        176 in.66.7 in.60.4 in.6.8 in.102.4 in.
        180 in.69.4 in.57.7 in.5.8 in.102.4 in.
        179.4 in.69 in.56.5 in.6 in.105.1 in.
        178.5 in.71.8 in.57.7 in.5 in.104.3 in.
        178.3 in.69.9 in.56.5 in.5.5 in.106.3 in.
        173.6 in.67.8 in.58 in.6 in.98 in.

        2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.9 cu.ft.90.2 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.
          12.5 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.147.4 cu.ft.
          2013 Kia Rio

          Ranked #1

          13.7 cu.ft.88.4 cu.ft.147.4 cu.ft.
          13.7 cu.ft.89.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.
          10.3 cu.ft.95.6 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.

          2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            17.1 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.79 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.315.2 cu.ft.-
            95.2 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.-
            94.1 cu.ft.10.3 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.-
            147.4 cu.ft.12.5 cu.ft.147.4 cu.ft.-

            2013 Nissan Versa vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -860 lbs.2345 lbs.
              1500 lbs.-2734 lbs.
              -1069 lbs.2396 lbs.
              --2740 lbs.
              -827 lbs.2907 lbs.
              -1058 lbs.2661 lbs.

              2013 Nissan Versa Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              4

              Investigations

              201

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2013 Nissan Versa User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              RMS

              Ralph Marcos Spring

              2014 Nissan Versa

              S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 28, 2024

              The pros and cons of a 2014 Nissan Versa Note

              Pros - ["$30 bucks fills it up and last for about a week, very economical.", "Like a compact SUV but with a hatchback and plenty of room for your stuff", "Surprisingly Spacious, with plenty of leg, storage and head room."]

              Cons - ["Hard to check the transmission fluid because it's located at the bottom of the engine.", "Loses power when the A/C's on, probably because of the heat wave we've been having.", "Bluetooth phone connects but no bluetooth music, navigation and or internet setup."]

              Although it's an older vehicle and has a lot of miles on it and also has had a transmission replaced, it's still a good little hatchback with plenty of storage room, (seats 5), leg room and head space and it only takes $30 to fill the tank that last for about a week until your next fill up, it's a good economical and hard working vehicle.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review