Used 2019 Nissan Versa

The 2019 Nissan Versa sedan represents an increasingly difficult-to-find creature: a safe, reliable and nicely equipped new car for under $13,500. The Versa is miserly with fuel, but not interior accommodations, and that includes its trunk. The base model is a bit Spartan but gets the job done. Rivals such as the Toyota Yaris iA, Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent all cost significantly more than the base Versa, although admittedly are also better equipped. Moving up the Versa trim ladder, however, quickly remedies this situation, offering options like cruise control and Intelligent Key remote with push-button start. Regardless of which trim you choose, power will be supplied by a 109-horsepower 4-cylinder engine not as peppy as a Kia Accent or Honda Fit, but still acceptable.

You wouldn’t be wrong to think a sub-$13,500 car is going to be rough-riding, uncomfortable, underpowered and unsafe, but thankfully this is not the case with the 2019 Nissan Versa sedan. Larger and roomier than a Chevy Sonic, the Versa offers decent handling a cut above that of the Mitsubishi Mirage, but nowhere near as precise as the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris iA. The Versa imparts a heavy feel, which is nice when surrounded by massive, speeding SUVs, and in this segment, its cabin is relatively quiet. The Versa isn’t going to impress you with rapid off-the-line acceleration, but it moves reasonably quickly, that is until you ask it to perform a high-speed passing maneuver. The tight turning circle makes it easy to park in tight spots, as does the excellent outward visibility. While the 5-speed manual is fun, the CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) improves both performance and fuel economy.

The 2019 Nissan Versa sedan has a roomy, nicely detailed and meticulously assembled interior, although its color choices are rather dark and drab. One of the most spacious in the subcompact class, the Versa offers 37 inches of rear-seat legroom, beating the Chevy Sonic by a good three inches. Headroom and hip room are also admirable, as is seat comfort. The instrument cluster and controls are fairly straightforward, easy to see and operate, while a standard 7-inch touch-screen audio system is unexpected at this price, as is air conditioning. The adjustable front driver’s seat and tilt steering wheel make it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

From some angles it’s easy to confuse the 2019 Nissan Versa with the larger and more expensive Nissan Sentra and Altima sedans. The Versa, with its long 102.4-inch wheelbase and 175.4-inch overall length, is big for the subcompact class, and it looks aspirational with its chrome grille surround, our test car’s chrome door handles and its body-color outside mirrors. The Versa’s tall doors make entry and exit easier, and the long rear doors simplify installing a child safety seat. You get nicer-looking alloy wheels on the higher-end SV Special Edition model, as well as fog lights.

GENEROUS REAR-SEAT LEGROOM
Thanks to its 102.4-inch wheelbase, the subcompact 2019 Nissan Versa sedan offers more rear-seat legroom than in a Hyundai Accent, Chevy Sonic, Kia Rio or Toyota Yaris iA. Headroom and hip room are also quite good. SV models include a 60/40-folding rear seat allowing expansion of the generous 14.9-cubic-foot trunk.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO
There are still some $30,000 sedans out there that don’t offer this feature, but upgrade to the SV Special Edition package, and you’ll enjoy both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The 2019 Nissan Versa is pretty basic, but it does come with air conditioning, power mirrors, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/aux audio system with 7-inch touch screen and a rearview monitor, tilt steering wheel, trip computer, Bluetooth for your phone, front disc/rear drum brakes, 15-inch steel wheels with covers, vanity mirrors and a rear defroster. It also comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and hand-cranked manual windows. If you want such features as power windows, power door locks, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, or even a remote trunk release, you’ll have to step up to a higher trim level.

Climbing the model ladder is the best way to get more stuff on the 2019 Versa. The mid-level S Plus gets a rear spoiler, cruise control and the CVT automatic. Top-of-the-line SV models gain upgraded seat fabric, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, 6-way-manual driver’s seat, power door locks and keyless entry. The SV Special Edition Package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Intelligent Key with push-button start, Sirius XM, Nissan Connect plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The only engine available in the front-wheel-drive 2019 Nissan Versa sedan is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 109 horsepower. That’s not a lot of power, but the Versa’s not a lot of car, either. Besides, with the CVT automatic transmission it gets an impressive 39 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. If you get the basic Versa S you get a standard 5-speed manual transmission but we suggest skipping it and moving up to the S Plus model with the automatic if you can.

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 (5-speed manual), 31/39 mpg (CVT automatic)