A Week With the Nissan Versa SR – An Impressive Small Car for the Money

I’ve given back cars ten times as expensive and not given them a second thought, but the Versa offered so much value and enjoyment, it’s only been gone a couple of hours and I miss it already. HeadlightNews.com has this review.

Every once in a while, I get to spend a week in a press car that I don’t want to give back to the manufacturer when I’m done. The 2025 Nissan Versa is one of those. This is such an enjoyable vehicle, I could drive it every day.

That’s a little bit surprising, as the Versa is one of the most affordable cars on the market today. I’ve given back cars ten times as expensive and not given them a second thought, but the Versa offered so much value and enjoyment, it’s only been gone a couple of hours and I miss it already.

Here’s what I discovered driving Nissan’s subcompact around Oregon’s Pacific coast.

Overview

Versa has been Nissan’s entry-level car since 2006. The Versa name is supposed to be short for Versatile Space, which makes sense. Although it’s technically Nissan’s smallest passenger car, the Versa doesn’t feel cramped in any way.

Since its introduction, Nissan has tinkered with the formula, introducing a hatchback version of the original model and a crossover body style that extended the line-up from 2013 to 2019.

The current third-generation Versa was introduced in 2019, but Nissan has kept the Versa sedan up to date and there’s really nothing missing in 2025. What you get is a car that gets 40 MPG on the highway, has every modern feature, and above all is enjoyable to drive and own, all for less than $24,000.

Design

The latest generation is available solely in sedan form. And while that may limit potential demand in an SUV-centric market, Versa has the space largely to itself these days, so many manufacturers walking away from classic 4-door body style.

Versa is unremarkable from the outside. It looks like a generic Japanese compact passenger car. It’s not ugly, it’s not particularly sexy, but Nissan does offer some cheerful colors, which is refreshing. If you get the top trims, you can have 17-inch wheels, so you’ll never feel like you’re pulling up in a cheap car.

Our test model was the top SR trim, with every tech and luxury feature. The seats are upholstered in cloth, but they are heated in front, so I was perfectly comfortable through the gloomy part of March.

There’s plenty of room for a full-size American man in there. The rear seats are a bit short on leg and shoulder room, yet they’re far less cramped than you might expect of a subcompact sedan, and headroom is reasonably good.

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Powertrain

The Versa makes the most of its modest 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive.

Although it pushes out  only 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, the 2025 Versa’s continuously variable transmission gives it peppy, if not powerful, performance due to the relatively light 2,717-pound curb weight. And, yes, Nissan has finally gotten the formula down for its transmission. You don’t get the sort of rubber band effect that mars the performance of so many other vehicles equipped with CVTs.

That light weight and thrifty engine also contribute to the 40 MPG highway fuel economy rating, which is nice during times of high gas prices.

Safety and Technology

The Versa is also up-to-date on safety technology, with features like blind spot monitor, automatic high beams, LED headlights, and every other safety feature you can name. The rear-view camera is clear and bright, and general visibility is excellent.

I was driving the top SR trim, so all the goodies were there, including a wireless phone charger and USB-C and A ports. There’s a large 8-inch center touchscreen for navigation and infotainment, playing through a decent audio system. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are both supported, as well as Nissan’s own connected services.

Versa received a five-star crash rating as well.

Driving Impressions

With all the tech and luxury considered, it’s still the driving experience that makes the Versa a standout performer.

There’s plenty of power when you need it, and the steering is light and direct. There’s no way you would ever call the Versa an econo-box or any other derogatory term for an inexpensive car.

The 2025 Nissan Versa rides and drives like a much more expensive car than it is, and the array of tech in the driver compartment reinforces that feeling that you got a great price for what you get.

Wrap Up

In a market where the typical new vehicle is rolling off dealer lots, it often seems like budget buyers have been forgotten, at best relegated to the used car market. Nissan is one of the few manufacturers keeping them in mind. In its base trim, the Nissan Versa is the least expensive car on the market this year.

At its lowest trim level, the basic Versa starts as low as $17,190, but I’m going to suggest you get into the top SV or SR trims and get all the goodies.

My top-of-the-line test car is tagged just under $24,000, which is a no-brainer with all the luxury touches. If you’re shopping for an economical car that doesn’t feel like an economy car, the 2025 Nissan Versa is what you want.