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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2021 Nissan Versa: Sharp-Dressed Value
What do our experts think of the 2021 Nissan Versa? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2021 Nissan Versa?
The only update to the 2021 Nissan Versa is a wee price bump of $100 on base S models. Otherwise, it carries over from 2020, which makes sense as this subcompact benefitted from a top-to-bottom makeover last year.
Short for “Versatile Space”, the Versa has been around in North America since 2006, but only recently has resembled something besides a rental car. In fact, this third-gen model is a looker, aping its fancier Maxima and Altima stablemates. As we discuss in this comparison with a 2019 Versa, this new one may be worth it for styling alone.
2021 Nissan Versa – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Nissan Versa on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Value champ
Solid fuel economy
Handsome styling
Rear drum brakes
Comically small gas tank
Smartphone tech not standard
Still cheap but better than ever
2021 Versa Specs
- 122 horsepower from base engine
- 115 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 14.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- “Follow Me Home” headlights illuminate the night
- 7-inch color gauge cluster screen
- 3 years included roadside assistance
2021 Nissan Versa Powertrain
Though it resembles a squashed Maxima, the 2021 Versa certainly will not be running with one out on the road. Squeaking out just 122 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque from its naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-pot, Underpowered is the Versa’s middle name. Of course, with a starting price way under twenty grand, most consumers are likely not expecting a pocket rocket.
Nissan’s Xtronic CVT is standard on the top two trim levels and available on the base Versa S, which actually comes standard with a throwback 5-speed stick! Really more of a cost-saving measure, the manual transmission offers a nice way to add a bit of engagement to an otherwise basic daily commuter.
That being said, the Versa is certainly a competent transportation pod with its independently sprung front suspension and torsion beam rear keeping things planted. But what’s up with the rear drum brakes? All but extinct these days, those spring-loaded anachronisms reek of value engineering. But hey, this car is all about that value, nobody is mistaking it for a hot rod.
2021 Nissan Versa Fuel Economy & MPG
The silver lining to the Versa’s low output? It sips fuel, with CVT-equipped models rated for 32 mpg around town and 40 on the highway. Arguably, that stat earns this car a spot on our Critics List of Fuel-Efficient Cheap Cars. Much of that can be attributed to the car’s feathery weight of just 2,700 pounds.
FYI, choosing the stick means more stops at the pump as its rating drops to 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway driving.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
A key aspect to the Versa overhaul from last year was a notable improvement in the overall cabin atmosphere. Gone are the cheapo plasticky bits, replaced with soft-touch door and dashboard surfaces. You won’t find leather seating on any trim level but as you move through the ladder, fancier cloth upholstery arrives like the orange-accented style found on an SR. All models also feature a laminated windshield to mute exterior noise and flat-bottomed steering wheel for a touch of sport.
Space-wise, the 2021 Nissan Versa is a mixed bag. Compared to a Toyota Corolla, the Versa offers two additional cubic feet of trunk volume and two extra inches of front row legroom. However, back seat occupants will be squeezed by the 31 inches of leg space, against the 35 inches offered by Toyota’s competitor.
Like the Corolla, the Versa’s 3-position rear bench can be split and folded in a 60/40 configuration for when you need to haul longer gear. You can read more about how these two small sedans stack up in our comparison article.
Entertainment & Technology
Upside to the 2021 Nissan Versa – all three trim levels sport a 7-inch touchscreen integrated into the dashboard with redundant physical knobs. Downside – only the top two trims, SV and SR, offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology.
The Versa SV and SR trims are further set apart with a digital 7-inch screen sitting within the gauge cluster that can be configured to display details about what’s on the radio, fuel economy and so forth. Fortunately, features like Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a trio of USB ports and backup camera are all lineup standard.
Safety Features
Nissan offers a robust roster of advanced driver-assistance systems on the 2021 Versa, under their Safety Shield 360 suite. It consists of Automated Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. For a deeper dive on how these system works, have a look at our Safety Tech Explained write-up.
Like the smartphone tech, these active-safety nets are not available on the bottom-rung Versa S, but 10 airbags are standard equipment. Also worth noting, the 2021 Versa earns a 5-Star rating from NHTSA. Additional safety options include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a driver-attention monitor and Follow Me Home headlights that light up for 30 seconds as you exit the car, just flick the turn signal stalk.
2021 Nissan Versa Trims & Pricing
S – $16,075
Sixteen grand! That is not a price you see too often these days on any new car but that’s what gets you into a base 2021 Versa S. As with its former Juke stablemate, in a few years this car ought to be ready for inclusion on a list of sub-$10,000 vehicles like this one. For that money, you’ll get keyless entry, power windows and locks, cruise control, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, and backup camera. Not bad.
SV – $18,885
Mid-pack Versa SV sports alloy rims, body-color side mirrors with heating elements, and access to the snappy Scarlet Ember and Monarch Ember paint palette. The black cloth seats are dressed up with patterned inserts and white outer sections, while tech like Apple and Android smartphone mirroring, Safety Shield 360, and the Driver Alertness Monitor are all on hand.
SR – $19,485
Sporting intentions are the Versa SR’s game with its 17-inch rims, LED lighting, and rear lip spoiler. The theme continues inside with a vein of orange throughout, including the leather-wrapped steering wheel stitching. Two additional speakers are added for a total of six and the SR is the only 2021 Versa with an available package. Running $400, this optional Convenience package brings heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ACC.
Warranties
Nissan’s warranty is okie dokie in a vacuum, with three years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage, five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage, and three years of 24/7 roadside assistance all part of the deal. But compared to a Kia with its 100,000-mile powertrain term or Toyota with two years of complimentary service, that warranty is not so hot.
What we think
2021 Nissan Versa – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Nissan Versa on Carsforsale.com
Normally, I would encourage folks to find themselves a row-your-own variety of any car, because #SaveTheManuals. But not with the 2021 Nissan Versa. For one, it’s not going to offer the crisp snick-snick engagement found on the likes of a Honda. For two, it means you can only have the base S trim, which is bare-bones indeed.
The 2021 Nissan Versa SR stickers under twenty grand, looks a whole lot nicer with those 17- inch wheels and spiced-up cabin, and has a far deeper list of desirable amenities. It’s the Versa I’d want to drive.
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