2022 Nissan Versa

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Rating6.6

Ranked #1 in 

Subcompact Sedan
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$15,580 - $18,990
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 12, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Great fuel economy

Sluggish engine

No major changes

Long list of driver assistance features

The base model is not big on the list of standard features

Comfortable interior

Handling is not too exciting

Good reliability

Cramped rear-seat headroom

Refined ride

Specs & Features

$17,250

price

122 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

114 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

1-speed CVT

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2022 Nissan Versa is yet to release but it is expected to go on sale this fall. Prices for the 2022 Versa have not been announced yet but one thing is for sure, there are no notable changes this year. It still houses the 1.6L inline-4 engine that produces 122 hp and 144 lb-ft. of torque. Obviously, these outputs are less but they help to gain better fuel economy. 

The Versa's cabin is a fusion of quality and functionality. Although hard plastics dominate most of the cabin, the layout is sleek. The sedan also equips all the vital technologies for safety, which is really impressive. Though one fussy thing is the lack of standard smartphone integration in the infotainment system. The Versa competes against the Hyundai Accent, the Kia Rio, and the Mitsubishi Mirage G4. 

Buying Advice

We recommend going for the SV trim. It is a capable daily driver with many more comfort and convenience options than the base model. These features include upgraded cloth upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. It also adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-seat reminder, and driver attention monitor as part of the safety feature upgrade. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Nothing about the Versa is joyful or exuberant, but there's still plenty to like about this affordable car- Cnet

The Nissan Versa is one of the best subcompact sedans on offer in the market as it is an extremely affordable car and is also a solid value for your money. While the car does not focus on being athletic, it focuses on being very economical and practical. The Versa is also the only car in its class to offer a wide range of safety technologies, thus setting itself apart from the rest of its rivals.

There are some shortcomings in this sedan such as limited rear headroom and no standard smartphone integration. But that's forgivable considering for the price it is available. The Versa also scored 81 in its reliability test by J.D. Power but its resale value is average in the market. Speaking of running costs, get ready to shell out nearly $5,600 annually for its maintenance, fuel, etc. 

Buying Advice

We recommend going for the SV trim. It is a capable daily driver with many more comfort and convenience options than the base model. These features include upgraded cloth upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. It also adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-seat reminder, and driver attention monitor as part of the safety feature upgrade. 

Features
7.0/10

Adding the CVT also brings an upgraded driver information display and 60/40 split/folding rear seats- Autotrader

The Nissan Versa is offered in three trim levels- S, SV, SR. About the release date and pricing, nothing has been made official by Nissan yet, but we expect it to be released around the fall of 2021 while prices may bump slightly. Only the S trim is offered with a manual transmission while the other two trims come standard with a CVT transmission. 

The Versa doesn't come with many standard features and likewise, there aren't many packages on offer to elevate the feature list. The only optional package available is the Convenience package that adds heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and automatic climate control for $400. This package is exclusively available for the SR trim only. 

Trim

S*

SV*

SR*

MSRP (FWD)

$14,980 ($16,650 for CVT)

$17,790

$18,390

Key Features

7-inch touchscreen display Adds/ Upgrades to S trim Adds/ Upgrades to SV trim
  4-speaker stereo

16-inch alloy wheels

17-inch alloy wheels

  Manually adjustable cloth seats Android Auto & Apple CarPlay Remote engine start
  Rearview camera Satellite radio Proximity keyless entry
  Bluetooth connectivity Upgraded cloth upholstery Leather steering wheel
  Forward collision warning Rear-seat reminder Cloth upholstery with contrast stitching
  Halogen headlights Blind-spot monitoring 6-speaker stereo
  15-inch steel wheels Rear cross-traffic alert Rear decklid spoiler
  Push-button start Driver attention monitor Fog lamps

*2021MY data used for reference


Also Read:

  • Nissan to offer NISMO versions of their pickups, SUVs, and crossovers

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The Versa’s thrifty with the CVT- The Car Connection

This is a part where the Nissan Versa absolutely shines. It offers the best fuel economy when matched with a CVT transmission. The EPA-estimated ratings are 32 MPG in the city, 40 MPG on a highway, and 35 MPG combined. Opting for the manual transmission will get you 5 MPG less. Therefore, it's best to get the CVT since you do save a ton on fuel prices.

With a tank size of 10.8 gallons, the Versa delivers a combined range of 378 miles with a CVT transmission, which is an extremely appreciable figure for a small affordable sedan. Manual models can drive up to 324 miles, which is still good enough. Therefore, those who travel a lot should prefer the CVT over the manual transmission. 

Models

2022 Nissan Versa*

2022 Kia Rio

2022 Hyundai Accent

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

MPG (City)

27

33

33

33

MPG (Highway)

35

41

41

40

MPG (Combined)

30

36

36

35

Fuel Capacity 

10.8

11.9

11.9

9.2 

Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 

292/378/324

393/488/428

393/488/428

304/368/322

2021MY data used for reference

The Korean sedans offer slightly better fuel economy and owing to their larger tanks, offer more range than the Versa. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 also offers excellent fuel economy but considering the power it makes, it is not efficient. Overall, the Versa is a great choice for fuel-saving car buyers. 

Interior
5.0/10

The Versa's interior no longer looks and feels like a children's play area- CarAndDriver

The Nissan Versa's interior feels surprisingly comfortable at this price point. The design of the dashboard is also very exciting, modern, and functional. Higher trims have faux-leather trim stitched on the dashboard, which feels quite premium. However, the materials are not too high-quality, with hard plastic here and there. Cloth upholstery is standard but premium cloth upholstery with contrast stitching is available. 

The seats offer decent levels of comfort and support. Power adjustable front seats are not available but heated front seats are available as an option. But, you do get a leather steering wheel The front row is very spacious with tons of legroom to spare. However, the same cannot be said for the rear row, as it is quite cramped. Tall adults would not find it comfortable to be in for a long time.

For entertainment, all the trims come with a 7-inch touchscreen display paired to a 6-speaker setup. However, only two top trims are greeted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is decent with a typical low-resolution screen at this price range. All the physical controls are close to the driver, which is a good thing. Higher trims get a 7-inch driver-assist display that shows various vehicle-related information. 

Models

2022 Nissan Versa*

2022 Kia Rio

2022 Hyundai Accent

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

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

39.5/53.1/44.5

38.9/54.1/42.1

38.9/54.2/42.1

38.9/51.7/41.7

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

36.3/53.6/31.0

37.4/53.3/33.5

37.3/53.7/33.5

36.8/51.2/37.3

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft.)

14.7

13.7

13.7

12.4

*2021MY data used for reference

The Versa comes with a pretty big 14.7-15 cubic feet of cargo storage behind the second row. It can easily fit your groceries or your luggage for a weekend trip. With the rear 60/40-split seats down, you get access to even more space, which makes it very easy to load even more stuff, albeit sacrificing two seats. Some of the interior highlights are:

  • Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
  • Manually-adjustable front seats
  • Automatic climate control
  • Cloth upholstery 
  • Proximity keyless entry
  • Remote engine start
  • 7-inch touchscreen w/ Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
  • 6-speaker stereo
  • Satellite radio

Also Read:

  • Scoop! Pathfinder caught testing

Exterior
6.0/10

The top SR trim has extra visual interest with a black chrome grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a small rear spoiler- Kelly Blue Book

The 2022 Nissan Versa will not undergo any exterior design changes as it was last redesigned in 2020. Being a subcompact sedan, it doesn’t have a striking or a strong road presence. Although it does appear bold and charming with the front fascia having sharp and angular headlights. The grille has the classic V-shape with the flat bottom that other Nissan cars have. The base wheels are 15 inches but the other two trims get 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels. 

The Versa has a ground clearance of 6.8 inches, which is quite good for a subcompact sedan. The side has muscular body lines flowing through it and the windows are also shaped quite stylishly. The rear taillights are also sharp and curved. The end of the taillights also looks like a pointy arrowhead. Overall, it has a very good and astute design. Nissan has done a very good job of making sure that the Versa does not look boring anymore.

Models

2022 Nissan Versa*

2022 Kia Rio

2022 Hyundai Accent

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Curb Weight (lbs)

2,559 

2,767

2,679

2,117

Length (in)

177.0

172.6

172.6

169.5

Width (in)

68.5

67.9

68.1

65.7

Height (in)

57.3

57.1

57.1

59.2

Ground Clearance (in) 

6.8

5.5

5.5

6.3

Wheelbase (in)

103.1

101.6

101.6

100.4

*2021MY data used for reference

The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 has the shortest wheelbase in this segment but it flaunts more rear-seat space than the other competitors. The Korean siblings have low ground clearance which is good for easy entry and exit from the cars. Some exterior features of the Versa are:

  • 15, 16 & 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED auto high-beam headlights
  • LED DRLs
  • Fog lamps
  • LED Taillights
  • Heated exterior mirrors
  • Black grille with chrome surround
  • Chrome headlamp bezels
  • Rear decklid spoiler

Safety
8.0/10

The Nissan sedan comes with a lot of standard driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has evaluated the 2022 Nissan Versa for its safety as the vehicle is yet to be released. The previous year's model's ratings are taken into consideration as there are no structural changes. The Versa gathered a 5-star rating from NHTSA. IIHS has not tested it fully but it gave 'Good' ratings in the two crash tests it conducted. 

We expect the same safety scores for the 2022 model as well. Nissan surprises us by offering tons of standard active safety features at this price point which we would not have expected from a budget car. The SV trims and above come with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 which is really impressive. Some of the active driver-assist features are:

  • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
  • Lane departure warning
  • Blind-spot warning
  • Rearview camera
  • Forward collision warning
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Driver attention monitor
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Auto high-beam assist
  • Reverse automatic braking

Competition
7.0/10

2022 Nissan Versa vs 2022 Kia Rio

The Versa, right off the bat, is slightly better than the Kia Rio when it comes to performance in the real world. It also offers the option of a manual transmission Both Rio and Versa offer excellent fuel economy, but the Rio comes with a better driving range. The quality of the interior is better in the Rio and it also offers better rear-seat space, but the Versa offers more cargo space. Safety-wise, the Versa is a better option. 

2022 Nissan Versa vs 2022 Hyundai Accent

The Rio and Hyundai Accent basically share the same characteristics and all the same dimensions. The only difference is that the Accent looks different on the outside than the Rio. The fuel economy is better than the Versa, and so is the performance. However, the Versa is more well-equipped with better safety features. So, if you have decided on which one you like more – the Rio or the Versa, this choice should be pretty easy too.

2022 Nissan Versa vs 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Let’s be honest, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is not a very good car. It is seriously underpowered for the price it asks, and cannot keep up with the rivals. Fuel economy is a major benefit since it can outrun the Versa. It falls short on cargo space but the interior space is better. The interior quality does not match that of the Versa. It also does not come with half the features that the Versa offers. On top of all that, the Versa looks better.

Final Verdict

The 2022 Nissan Versa will be the same as the 2021 model, which itself was a pretty good offering. It went from being neglected to being one of the best cars in the entry-level market. It has a decent engine for the price, good handling, ample interior spacing, and great fuel economy. There’s no reason for you to ignore the Versa, especially given the long list of safety features it comes with. Overall, the Versa is a very good choice for anyone buying their first car.

Trims

    S
    $15,580 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 122 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 114 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 10.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 110 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 35 mpg
    SV
    $18,390 onwards
    • 16-inch aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • Heated mirrors
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    SR
    $18,990 onwards
    • 17-inch aluminum Wheels

Compare to similar cars

Price

$15,580- $18,990

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.56

Horsepower

122 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

114 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$16,645- $19,600

Gasoline

6.65

120 hp @ 6300 rpm

113 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,200- $33,650

Gasoline

7.05

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,450- $17,390

Gasoline

5.94

120 hp @ 6300 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.5 sec17.4 sec110 mph
    9.1 sec--
    10.1 sec--
    2022 Kia Rio

    Ranked #4

    10.5 sec17.8 sec-

    2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      32 mpg35 mpg30 mpg10.8 gal.291.6/378 mi.
      31 mpg43 mpg37 mpg14 gal.409.2/533.2 mi.
      33 mpg41 mpg36 mpg11.9 gal.392.7/487.9 mi.
      2022 Kia Rio

      Ranked #2

      33 mpg41 mpg36 mpg11.9 gal.392.7/487.9 mi.

      2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        177 in.68.5 in.57.3 in.6.8 in.103.1 in. -
        184.1 in.71.9 in.55.7 in.5.3 in.107.1 in. -
        172.6 in.68.1 in.57.1 in.5.5 in.101.6 in. -
        2022 Kia Rio

        Ranked #3

        172.6 in.67.9 in.57.1 in.5.5 in.101.6 in.

        2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

        Ranked #4

        169.5 in.65.7 in.59.2 in.6.3 in.100.4 in. -

        2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.7 cu.ft.88.9 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.
          14.2 cu.ft.99.4 cu.ft.45 cu.ft.
          13.7 cu.ft.90.2 cu.ft.19.2 cu.ft.
          2022 Kia Rio

          Ranked #3

          13.7 cu.ft.89.9 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.

          2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            14.7 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.-
            2022 Kia Rio

            Ranked #2

            18.7 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.-
            44.4 cu.ft.14.2 cu.ft.45 cu.ft.152 ft.
            19.2 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.19.2 cu.ft.227 ft.

            2022 Nissan Versa vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              955 lbs.2599 lbs.
              2022 Kia Rio

              Ranked #1

              -2767 lbs.
              1133 lbs.2868 lbs.
              959 lbs.2679 lbs.

              2022 Nissan Versa Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              0

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              14

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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