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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Nissan Versa

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Nissan Versa

Overview

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2013 Nissan Versa Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.1

Consider the Nissan Versa the Toyota Camry of subcompacts: uninspiring, but a best seller. For the majority of buyers, the former won't matter much, or at least not enough to negate the Versa's positive aspects. Not only is the 2013 Versa the roomiest car in its class, it remains the least-expensive new car you can buy, even with this year's price increase. Add in fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, and the Versa looks even more sensible. Sedan versions of the Versa received an update last year that carries into this one, but the same can't be said of the Versa 2-door hatchback, which continues sales as a 2012 model. A new version of the hatchback is expected to share design cues of the Nissan Note from foreign markets, but details are still vague on its U.S. arrival.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your focus is on dollars and cents, the 2013 Versa sedan is among the least expensive new cars to buy and own. The Versa also offers high fuel economy, a surprising amount of passenger room, and a comfortable ride for a car that starts under $13,000.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you desire even a modicum of excitement in your economy car's looks or driving dynamics, consider a Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, or Chevrolet Sonic.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.1
Driving Dynamics

5.6
Comfort & Convenience

7.4
Design: Interior & Exterior

4.7
Value

6.1
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#2

out of 2

MPG

#2

out of 2

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

7.5 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

The base Versa S now offers a trunk light and can be had with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Top-trim SL models receive a trunk-release button on the key fob, sun-visor extensions and a driver's seat armrest. A rearview monitor is added to the tech package available in SL models.

Driving the Versa

2013 Nissan Versa Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Economy cars are usually not known for being smooth or quiet. But some are smoother and quieter than others, and the 2013 Nissan Versa is built to be just that....

Though its road-going behavior could be described as bland at best, the Versa is an easy car to drive and maneuver. The Versa's steering is light, its turning radius is tight, and visibility is very good from the driver's seat. Like other cars with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), Versas equipped with one take getting used to. Since there are no shift points, you might find yourself waiting for an upshift or downshift that will never arrive. With only 109 horsepower, the 2013 Versa sedan's acceleration ability is just barely adequate for getting up to speed on freeways.

Favorite Features

REAR LEGROOM
The Versa is neither fast nor flashy, but it's commendably roomy. This is a small car that can actually comfortably seat two adults in back.

FUEL ECONOMY
Sedan models with the CVT automatic transmission are now rated at 40 mpg for the highway, making this affordable car equally easy on the wallet when it comes to filling it up.

2013 Nissan Versa Details

2013 Nissan Versa Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Nissan boasts that the Versa has best-in-class rear legroom – more than some mid-size luxury sedans, in fact. The trunk, too, has a surprising amount of room. With 14.9 cubic feet of capacity, the Versa's hull is larger than that of Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima. Up front, the Versa's front seats are acceptable. Its dash is plain and drab, even on models outfitted with a 5-inch navigation screen. On the upside, its chunky buttons and knobs are easy to reach and decipher. We prefer the look of the Sandstone interior, which feels richer than the Charcoal option.

Exterior

Picture an economy car in your mind, and you're likely to visualize something akin to the 2013 Versa. This budget sedan has conservative looks, with few elements that stand out. Among those that do are its wide and shapely grille and the rear spoiler that helps spruce up the rear of models equipped with the CVT automatic transmission. Higher-trim SV and SL models are distinguished by a chrome-accented grille and chrome door handles. Fifteen-inch wheels are standard on all models, with top models wearing aluminum-alloy versions instead of the steel ones found on lower models.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Nissan Versa is one of the few new cars that in base forms still has roll-your-own windows and manual-adjust mirrors. If you want power windows, mirrors, and door locks – or just a passenger vanity mirror – you'll have to step up to the costlier SV or SL trims. No version of the 2013 Versa sedan has a telescoping steering wheel, which can make it harder for drivers to obtain an optimum position. In base trims, even a tachometer is absent, never mind features such as Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Cloth seating is your only option in a Versa sedan. Base vehicles do have air conditioning and a 2-speaker AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input. To get cruise control or just folding rear seats requires a higher trim.

Optional Equipment

Major options for the Versa are bundled into two packages, available in higher-trim SV and SL models. The Convenience Package in SV models adds Bluetooth, 60/40-split folding rear seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio and phone controls, and a passenger vanity mirror. The Technology Package on top-line SL models adds a 5-inch navigation system with traffic information, satellite radio, rearview monitor, and a USB input for audio playback. An auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink remote transceiver is available on any 2013 Versa sedan.

Under the Hood

The 2013 Nissan Versa sedan uses a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. With only 109 horsepower, it's not very powerful, but does achieve up to 40 mpg when connected to a CVT transmission. Other transmission choices are a 5-speed manual on base S models, or an optional 4-speed automatic available on that trim. All other Versa sedans use the fuel-saving CVT. All Versas are front-wheel drive. You may notice the Versa wears a "PURE DRIVE" badge. This does not denote some exotic powertrain, but rather marks Nissan's initiative to improve fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions.

1.6-liter inline-4
109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/36 mpg (manual), 26/35 (4-speed automatic), 31/40 mpg (CVT automatic)

Pricing Notes

With a base price of $12,770 including destination charge, the 2013 Nissan Versa sedan still claims the title of lowest-priced new car you can buy, even with this year's $1,000 price increase. Climb trim levels, though, and the Versa begins to lose its pricing advantage compared with comparably equipped cars. A top-line SV model with the Technology Package runs over $18,000, which could buy a very well-equipped Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, or even a Honda Fit. Before buying, be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for the 2013 Nissan Versa. Over the long-term, the Versa's resale value is expected to be good, and its 5-Year Cost to Own has traditionally been best-in-class.

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2013 Nissan Versa Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.5

Out of 10

Based on 48 Ratings for the 2012 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

7.8/10
Reliability

8.5/10

Performance

6.7/10
Comfort

7.7/10

Styling

7.2/10

Got rid of at 2800 miles!

By Cargirl (FL) on Sunday, July 21, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Did not like the car - My approximate mileage is 2,800

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Relatively quiet on the road (even at high speeds)"

Cons: "sways on the highway, cheap material on the seats"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"About 3 months ago we bought the Nissan Versa Automatic 1.8 S Special Edition w/ navigation. Since the car was for my teenage kids, and I had no intention of buying it at lease end; I really did not do my homework (shame on me)! The car is being redesigned in 2014 and will now be called Nissan Note. I think the dealer was pretty happy we walked through the door that day not knowing any of this. The dealer still had some 2012 Versa's still sitting on the lot. We took it for a test drive around the block and felt like it was a good car to learn how to drive. After we bought it we found out several days later that on the interstate it catches wind and it takes effort to hold it steady. We had a cloth charcoal interior and it literally picked up every piece of lint; it was like a Velcro vacuum (I'm assuming cheap material because I've never owned a car that has done this before)we were constantly trying to pick-up lint with a brush. I will never visit that Dealer again! I think they were trying to get rid of the 2012 Versa's left on the lot and therefore we were steered toward that model (they did not show us anything else (Sentra, Altima). My husband and I have been buying /leasing Honda's since 2004. Beware if you lease a Nissan that they charge $395.00 at lease end to turn in the vehicle (Honda does not charge anything). The one good thing I can say about he Versa is that when traveling fast down the highway it was relatively quiet. Another nice thing was it came with a pretty decent sound system. I believe if anyone is looking for a small car, there are better options out there like the Honda Fit etc. (better quality. Plus they hold their value better if you plan to purchase at lease end. We traded the Versa in this past weekend and we were upside down in the negative $4,000. We paid 4,000 at lease signing, so add it up; it was a very bad deal for a car we only had for less than 3 months."

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Like it so much we are buying a second one!

By Miss Easy (TX) on Saturday, July 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 14,899

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everyting is Awesome"

Cons: "Could be a bit more stable in the wind but for a l"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This little car is awesome! VERY roomy inside, a breeze to drive, it SIPS fuel, easy to park whats not to like!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great Car, Great Price

By papajack (NC) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 280

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "price, fuel economy. Leg room. head room"

Cons: "lack of power"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I know I have only had this car for a few days. But, I am amazed at what it has to offer for a subcompact. Everything is there I ever needed in a car except the power. But, if having more power means losing fuel mileage. I will leave it just the way it is. Styling is good considering all the rest of all the other cars look all the same. I just love this car. I reccomend it to everyone looking for a fuel miser with the comfort and leg room of a larger car..."

11 people out of 14 found this review helpful

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Best economical car!!

By buckeye_39 (MI) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Cheapest mode of transportation period!"

Cons: "Zero luxury period!!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Over 14,000 miles on my $12,500 out the door Versa. Yes, that is taxes included, got 52 MPG on my fill up today! Had to order it, no floor mats but 50+ MPG worth roll up windows and no power locks. If you want bare bones cheap car, this is for you! I paid $12,500, took almost 6 months to get car but I got my 50+ MPG A-B car!!! If I drive 70 mph = 37 MPG, 55 mph = 50 mpg, it's up to you!!"

14 people out of 14 found this review helpful

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OK Commuter Car. Will Drive You Crazy

By scottinatl (GA) on Saturday, April 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,100

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "Roomy Interior, Price, Fuel Consumption, Highway"

Cons: "CVT, Driving Characteristics, Annoying"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"The CVT is a dream at freeway speeds. Around town it is jerky, awkward, unresponsive, annoying, confused, and overall gutless. It is so bad I am trying to trade it in. You hit the gas and it does nothing and then, at some random point, decides to kick in and scream and yell and goes abosultely nowhere in the process. The interior is roomy and comfortable for the average commuter. Fuel consumption is around 27 around town and 35-38 on the highway. The Atlima is a pleasant experience with their CVT. This car is not and you will curse the day you succumed to a good deal when trying to get in-and-out of traffic in the city."

4 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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Great car!!

By SailorJoe (FL) on Monday, April 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 200

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Economical, Practical and Different"

Cons: "Radio"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"37 MPG!!! Researched and test drove the Civic, the Fit and the Yaris. The Versa drove and felt like none of them. It was different in a good way. Good steering, descent acceleration and quiet on the road. It is not very luxurious but I knew that going in so the number rating is reflective of my view in that area. The looks are different but not necessarily a bad thing since all you see now-a-days are the Camry or Corolla. The car feels like the designers actually put some thought into it. Definitely recommend you test before deciding."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 48 reviews