2023 Nissan Versa SR Review - What You Get For $22,460!

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

Good on you for showcasing more affordable vehicles. For many, a 30,000+ vehicle is either out of reach, or not a wise decision. For many, their car needs to be reliable transportation that doesn't break the bank.

[@davidglad]

The manual Versa is a great value proposition, devoid of a lot of high tech crap that will fail if you want the long haul and surely more reliable than a CVT. Annoying that the _cheapest_ models at dealerships within a wide radius of me are the CVT, rather than stick, should I need to buy one.

[@Trance88]

Yeah, you'd have to special order the base model with a stick shift, and then the dealer will probably try and be sneaky by adding additional fees 'n crap to make it the same price (or higher) than one of the more "upscale" CVT trims that's already on their lot.

[@Malibu-pk7zw]

Found it rather funny that at 2:22, despite the car being floored, that the Toyota minivan passed by like it was nothing.

[@niveketihw1897]

In fairness the minivan was already cruising at a higher speed -- but it was an amusing visual!

[@bwofficial1776]

@@niveketihw1897 It reminds me of an old Citroen 2CV ad. Going flat out at 71.5MPH, the 2CV will pass a Ferrari going 65.

[@zenxen7668]

😂

[@Ben-jz3mt]

I’m stunned that you can still buy a cheap economy car with a manual. Unfortunately hardly anyone will buy it, especially since they’ll last a lot longer that the CVTs

[@edgaryzen4925]

Ehh it a moot point. The JATCO CVT7 can last a LONG time and CAN TAKE a beat especially with a Mirage. Google 400,000 miles Mirage.

[@CollinMac96]

⁠​⁠@@edgaryzen4925the Jatco 7 is reliable in the mirage because the mirage weighs as much as a paper clip. It is understressed. In the other mitsus and nisans the cvt is working very hard for a vehicle that is much larger and heavier

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Gawd I HATE CVT ! It's like a transmission controlled by a toddler trying to make the most noise !

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@edgaryzen4925 I'd rather be waterboarded daily than drive a 2023 Mirage ! I've got a 1999 1.8 litre Mirage (Lancer) manual and I LOVE it 👍 The new ones seem to be designed to ensure Men don't buy them.

[@seanmcgivney7631]

Hate CVT transmissions? Then don't buy one.

[@niveketihw1897]

Remember that show Heroes? And that character Hiro? And the embedded marketing? The Versa was in the show, in several episodes, and whenever it was Hiro would chant, like a small child, "NISSAN VERSA NISSAN VERSA."

[@OrganicFoxes]

the trans will be just fine if you do a full service every 20k to 40k miles, clean magnets, new pan filter, paper filter, pan gasket and cvt fluid

[@miguelojera2356]

In other countries, it can be had with a 1.0 3cyl turbo with about 100hp. It also has more torque than the 1.6 which gives it a more peppy driving feel. It can be had in a manual too.

[@nickval5962]

I think the automotive industry is going to flip on its head soon. I really wish there was more options at this price point, better yet, something a little more sportier, like an Versa Nismo. I'm thinking a Nismo bodykit, wheels, suspension, seats, exhaust and a manual transmission. A more affordable option to the Civic Si which (in Canadian dollars) ran me almost 45k out the door.

[@hyperlicht]

Great review, thanks Zack. A Jetta (considerably more HP and a regular automatic, not a CVT) is also an option for around this price.

[@caliboyrob]

True but far less reliable

[@joey86bu1]

Handsome car, nice seeing the infotaiment screen built into the dash.

[@bwofficial1776]

Cheap crappy cars are an endangered species but I hope they stick around for a long time. Not everyone wants to gamble on a used car. There is a market for a basic car to get from point A to point B with a full factory warranty. Nissan's new cars don't look bad and they seem to have upgraded the CVT so it doesn't blow up if you look at it wrong.

[@SAOKAROLINA]

I won't say it a crappy cars because this Versa can get you anywhere on the road. Some of the higher dollars vehicles are worse than Versa, IMO 😄 Now I'm owned a 2024 Versa SR sweeeeeet! I'm tired of driving BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc...🤣🤣

[@JustSimplyRobert]

Great review! Much like honda handles the Civic SI, if Nissan isn't going for speed or power with the Versa SR at the very least they should make in very engaging and fun to drive. The SR is the "sporty" option, so giving it a sportier handling profile and maybe a 6 speed manual or automatic with paddles could have really helped make it the perfect sub compact for someone looking for something fun to drive while still being cheap. Outside of that I really like it personally, but the CVT is a hard no for me.

[@garyagunos6762]

Zack thank you for your reviews, they help out a lot 🙌🙌🙌 Back seats and big freakin bottle tests are the best btw!

[@karoltakisobie6638]

I tried buying MT Versa in May in Ontario and couldn't find one. There was only a dozen or so allocated for Ontario and that's that. Nissan Canada wasn't helpful at all. I got 2020 Accent with MT instead.

[@KeenanMaistry]

I used to have a 2008 Versa SL Hatch, and I loved that lil' thing. I wish they expanded more on them, made the sports version of it instead of putting that energy into the Juke. The transmission was always an issue with those models, and it's sad they are still around.

[@MandusahRamirez]

CVTs wouldn’t be that bad if Manufacturers would do what Toyota does and put a real 1st gear In which helps with off the line torque and reliability since most CVTs take a wear & tear from off the line performance

[@garmarrod]

And most people don’t understand this and put the pedal to the metal at take off, then they blame the CVT.

[@davidp2888]

I had a Nissan Versa as a rental earlier this year. After two days I gave it back and upgraded to a Corolla. Even the Corolla's lousy CVT is better than Nissan's.

[@irongoose3865]

And how was the CVT bad? Did the transmission break?

[@lambirging]

in Asia its called Almera and it has a 1.0 turbo engine , only some countries offer with manual version

[@benviehman8640]

The 2023 Nissan Versa must be the only vehicle ever made with heated, but manually-adjusted seats! I like it, Picasso! 😅 I too wish that the Versa was still made as a spacious hatchback. However, it is great how tall the Versa is compared to its competitors and how much interior space it has! 😁

[@lrich8181]

My 2011 Kia Forte SX Hatchback has manual leather seats that are heated.

[@benviehman8640]

@@lrich8181 Interesting 😁

[@VivyVidal]

Need leather and sunroof options and it would be perfect

[@AladdinSaneNYC]

Why no sunroof option with the SR? Why no audio upgrade with subwoofer option, too? NISSAN, are you paying attention? 🙏♐

[@skytheguy0438]

I'm pretty suprised my 1999 Saturn SC2 5 speed on paper, is about the same as this in terms of HP numbers and 0-60. That being said how much of that power is lost over time is up for debate.

[@caliboyrob]

Nissan severed ties with Jatco (their former cvt supplier) the new cvts are much better but yes still a cvt. The Versa is so successful for Nissan because you get a lot in the small package. At 6’4 I can sit behind myself when I rented one this summer

[@sparklyunicorn8883]

My first car was a 07 Versa ❤

[@theadvocate4698]

I was thinking about getting one of those then i discovered that the manual is gone in canada. Some people want cheap, small manual car! My hope now is on kia bringing in a 1.6 manual K3 to canada...they would have that market all to themselve to bring in all those new customer to their brand...When don't all want a cvt cuv or electric unaffordable crap!

[@robertdiehl9003]

Nice car. Wish Nissan got with the times and sourced a reliable transmission after 20 years of bummy reliability and negative press about transmission otherwise - excellent and super sweet car.....

[@seb_1504]

Just option it with the manual transmission

[@celsovera91]

Is it me or do those wheels give off early 90s Pontiac Grand Am vibes

[@someonecalledeulogio2280]

The versa is #1 car on sell in mexico

[@paleocon777]

The 2024 Kia forte is pretty close to the price of this car

[@space1888]

you should also try out the 2020+ sentra's if you havent already. those cars are fun to just throw around and test the limits on. zippy little guys that feel more rigid and a little safer than this versa. i think they are cvt's as well unfortunately but they (along with the altima's) have a sport mode that you can activate by shifting into drive and then pushing the button toward the bottom of the shift knob that has a white line on it; the gear indicator will say D with a small s next to it when its engaged

[@cw4623]

Nope, the Sentra is worse. The Versa is a FANTASTIC car-- not just economy car. Drives way better than Sentra. Better ergonomics. Cheaper. Only downside is the weak engine.

[@stevecooper7883]

Driving a versa is like driving a go cart. At least the manual will make it more enjoyable

[@calvin4319]

I know you said the only car that compares when it gone to dual zone is the Mazda 3 but even that doesn’t compare as that’s a compact a class above competing with the Corolla and civic Nissan’s competitor for this class would be the Sentra the versa would more compete with the Yaris if it was still around as that was a rebadged Mazda2

[@ShootingCars]

Agreed, only car I could think of off the top of my head that’s budget friendly with dual zone!

[@ericbritton9346]

The Versa does not have a tachometer and it's a CVT?! That's sacrilege!

[@anaelizabethsepulveda5948]

A car for THE PEANUTS MOVIE!

[@doug6191]

I've never driven a worse post-2000 car than the Versa.

[@COYGunners]

I’d rather take a Rio