2023 Nissan Versa | Can a $20k Car Actually be Good?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2023
- This here is a feelgood story about buying a sub-$20,000 new car. Do you know how many of them still exist? Only six: Rio, Forte, Venue, Soul, Mirage and this Versa - the least expensive new car sold in America with a starting MSRP of $16,925 including destination. It’s also only one of three within that group offered with a manual transmission, if that’s important to you. When I started this gig in 1998, cheap cars were really cheap - not necessarily bad, but barren, harsh, zero fun kind of transportation with questionable safety resumes. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore.
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2023 Nissan Versa SR
• 2023 Nissan Versa | Ca...
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/ stevehammes - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Such a refreshing review, something that isn’t a crossover or a high end luxury/sports car. Accessible cars like these are going the way of the dodo which is a shame. Far from a modern Nissan fan but kudos to them for making something like this.
Everytime i see one of these on the road i say " oh look at that fast lookin little......oh! " Cause it truly does have a nice design & " looks " fast.
I still have my 2009 Versa, and I love it!!! This new one looks so fine. I'm older, much more practical, and understand that thought out always wins in the end. I'm going looking at the new 2024 Versa or I just might find a new 2023 hiding on a lot!
Steve, I LOVE this review. So much respect to you for keeping in mind that a 22k car is something many people aspire to. I have a soft spot for Nissan as it was my first and only new car purchase - the old jellybean Altima in 1994 dollars for 15.5k. That this is 22k and appears to be slightly bigger with a ton more features safety and otherwise, and I can't help but feel happy this car exists. Even though I hate CVTs, Nissan STILL offers the stick. Interesting that other than the Z, this is the car Nissan should be most proud of making.
Thanks!!
I miss the Versa Note hatchback.
Great review as always Steve!!
Last year I drove a Nissan Versa rental car while traveling. This car is a lot nicer than what its price tag might have suggested. Though the engine is small, it has good enough passing power and acceleration for its size, and decent interior with good gas mileage. Definitely one of the best options available for a cheap and new but still decent car for a basic transportation. 👍
I recently had a late model Sentra as a rental. I had similar thoughts as you expressed. I always wrote these cars off, but man are they good values in today's crazy market!
I own a Versa and,l hate to say this but it's better than the 1990 Altima,l had no problem at all been out of town several times no problem this is indeed a fun car to drive,l love it besides all of that it gets me to point A to point Z that all that matters to me.🤷🏿♂️
Nissan is a good company. I used Nissan vehicle more than 10 years without big problems.
Great review!
Thanks, Carlos!
Impressive, from what you said. Would love to own one.
That CVT makes me vervous
Exactly. I'm looking at cheap sub compacts right now and would prob go with the Versa if not for the TERRIBLE recent history of Nissn CVTs. I've done a lot of research and still can't find real evidence that Nissan has fixed the problem.
@@Boudica234 I own a 2017 Nissan Sentra and it currently has 114,000 miles on it and it has not given me any issues so far. It is coming up to 7 years old and it still looks as good as new too. The interior has held up well. I did some major work on it this past December by putting new struts front and back, breaks front and back, transmission mounts, air filters, break fluid change, and new spark plugs and coil packs and it runs like a clock. As for the CVT. I have also changed the fluid 3 times so far coming up 4 times. I also change the coolant each time as it also is why the transmission fails. the coolant keeps not only the engine cool, but the transmission cool too. All in all its been just fine so far.
@forest_gamingredux8156 thanks for the info. The one thing everyone emphasizes is the importance of changing the transmission fluid every 20K-30K miles on these CVTs.
I just bought a 2023 Versa SR in Electric Blue and I love it. Everything you said is accurate concerning the features you get for the money.
The best part is that it's so cheap, I was able to get a 3-year loan for it! I'm really happy with my purchase.
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you’re happy with it.
@Steve Hammes New Car Reviews I won't say it's a perfect vehicle, but at $21K, I can't expect that.
My first car was a brand new 1990 Ford Festiva L-plus in blue. With air and automatic, it stickered for $7,850. That is a little over $15K in today's money. So, basically, an $11K car in 1990 is the same price as my new Versa, adjusted for inflation. Think about an $11K, 1990 car like that as compared to now. Yet, people will still turn their nose at a car like the Versa.
People just want BMW quality for a Versa price. They really need to get over themselves. Quickly.
To think my 2017 Nissan Sentra (Which I just paid off) has the same features if not more costed me 22,453.00 dollars before tax title and destination fee really shows how expensive cars have gotten. It even IMO had a much nicer interior than this car does.
@Steve: is the Driver assistant package standard on all trims?
That's a fantastic little car! I was looking for a cheap car for my Mum (here in Australia), and only the Koreans came close to this level of kit for a reasonable price. However the cabins didn't look this good. Well done Nissan USA!
I want to go to Australia someday. Really do.
@@stevehammes I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Heck, you could even test some ROW cars while you're here. If you make it Down Under, let me know :D
They did great with this gen
looks like a nice little car. corolla is more problem free over the long term long term is over 10 years
th problem with nissan is their CVT. they broke half the time and that is expensive to fix them.
I guess we will have to see an actual comparison between the base $22K model. I always compared the top end with all the features to the model below and what it would cost to add on those features. If you can add everything you want for
72 months? More like a 96 month loan lol.
Not everyone has a bank roll in their bank account. Some folks are retired baby boomers in their late 60s and early 70s who are on a fixed income and not drawing a lot of monthly income so a 72 month loan on a brand new Versa would be very practical in that scenario
@@benjaminshuteii9773not with a APR of 8% when prime lending can get you 3% apr over 36 months.
This 22K car quickly becomes a 30k+ car. When you start extending the financing that far out
@@DittoBrandonot everyone has the same money wise, buy your shyt, we will buy ours.
There are some reviews of the base model on youtube. I've seen one review of the SV. It's about $2,000 cheaper than this SR but still came with an impressive list of features. I think it's the one I would buy.
What I care most is how safe it is when in accident; does it protect the children/adult from being smash up?
The manual transmission version will probably be ok, I would not touch a Nissan with a CVT transmission. Personally I would look for a good used low miles grandma car before I would buy one of those. I could find a better used car for less money than that, but for somebody wanting a brand new car I like it better than any Kia comparison.
It was either this or a 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S. I chose the Versa.
Solid
Does the Major Deegan Edition come with steelies, brush bars and bumper protectors?
Also, cabin air filter and fire extinguisher.
Cheap and cheerful is the way.
Pretty good deal
If taken in proper perspective yes a new $20k car can be good.
Was this filmed in Guilderland, NY?
Close to it.
20k is the low? When did this happen?
If you can man up and drive a stick, you can get one of these for $16K. And it will last a hell of a lot longer than the CVT version
If you own one of these, can you comment on how much is the gas mileage you are actually getting?
I have heard the Nissans CVT transmission breaks down quite often.. is that true?
Yes.....
No, not after the 2019 models! That was fixed in 2020 Nissan models and later.
Versas used to be $10k, this one is a solid $15k base car. $22k is not cheap for this.
This need to be launched in india
Mpg’s? HP?
Turn your audio on.
How can u recommend the Versa without at least addressing the elephant in the room-the Nissan CVT? Hands down it's been the WORST transmission in the entire automobile industry over the last decade. I've seen NO EVIDENCE that Nissan has fixed the problem.
It’s such an old, worn out adage. And honestly, you could say that about every manufacturer, right? Ford leads the industry in recalls. German cars are always in the shop. What about the head gasket issue on the HEMI and so forth and so on. You could literally pick apart any OEM you can think of that has a reputation for something. So, if I don’t experience a problem with something I can’t really criticize it other than to say an issue may or may not happen to you and what’s the point of that? I know several people who drive Nissans and haven’t had any problems with the CVT so what does that mean?
@stevehammes With all due respect the issues with Nissan CVT's over the last decade are gargantuan which included a slew of lawsuits. Last year Nissan settled the most recent massive class action CVT lawsuit that covered the 2018-2019 Versa (among MANY other models). From my understanding, Nissan STILL uses the notorious JATCO CVT that was the subject of the class action. I have exhausted every resource available to me in order to discover precisely what-if anything-Nissan has done to fix this problem in its new vehicles and have come up with zip. If not for the CVT issue I would go with a new Versa. But I don't want to risk ending up with a shit transmission that needs replacing at 75K miles. And yes, I am aware that changing the transmission fluid every 30K miles is recommended.
@@Boudica234 Again, there are lawsuits against almost every OEM about something. Ford had issues with its dual clutch transmission on the Fiesta. I read about class actions all the time. I just don’t know how much value it adds to my review of the car to comment on something that may or may not happen to you. If an issue arises while I have the car in my possession it’s absolutely fair game. But otherwise….
@stevehammes I appreciate your feedback Steve. I won't deny that Ford has had REAL BAD transmission issues as well. No way I would buy any of those either. And yes it's true that pretty much every car brand can be nitpicked over various recall issues (even Honda and Toyota) its just that I've heard so many bad stories about those Jatco CVT's crapping out that I'm gunshy. But as u probably know, pretty much all CVT's in these small economy cars have had issues. It's almost impossible to find any new compact or subcompact without a CVT unless u go with a manual (which are increasingly rare). Even though I don't love manuals I'm seriously considering buying a new Versa with the manual if I can find one. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
The only way to prevent a Nissan CVT from crapping on you is to change the oil every 30k miles.
the only redeeming factor is the 5 speed manual
Wrong
Buy me this car please?
Twist beam rear axle and rear drum brakes.....TERRIBLE!!!
Vidale- Did you catch that Toyota puts drum brakes on a $40,000 Tacoma? Twist beam who cares. This isn't 1980. Many cars much more expensive than this do not have independent rear suspension.
drum brakes are just fine for small non-performance oriented cars. the rear braking force is very tiny and contributes very little to the car's stopping power.
better when the car has over 200k miles. less to break
400 bucks to change the transmission fluid in my 2020 versa every 30000 miles , hooefulyy thats gets my cvt up to 500000 miles
They gonna have a hatchback again?
Definitely not. The Versa is on borrowed time.
@@stevehammes 👍
That's basically the Kicks
@@stevehammes Hmm, so will that be a problem for servicing/parts if it's discontinued?