2014 Nissan Versa Sedan: Still the Low-Cost Leader

Claiming the crown for the third straight year, the 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan is the least-expensive new car in America, with an MSRP that starts at $11,990. That’s the same price of admission as last year, and, in fact, pricing for the entire lineup carries over unchanged for the new model year. The car itself has seen a few improvements, however.

Suspension and steering has been retuned in all models, which also see revised interior finishes, while individual trim levels have been adjusted as follows:

• Versa Sedan S—Adds low-rolling-resistance tires and tachometer
• Versa Sedan SV—Welcomes a 60/40 split folding rear seat and key-fob trunk release
• Versa Sedan SL— Upgrades with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, improved headliner material, and a satellite-compatible display radio with 4.3-inch screen

Further fine-tuning includes an eye-catching, glossy black B-pillar treatment for SV and SL models, with the SL also now offering the NissanConnect infotainment/connectivity system with navigation. And as long as we’re discussing content, it’s important to note that the entry-level edition of the 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan does come with both air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD/AUX audio system, so it would be possible to live with the car right out of the box.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan will continue to offer three different powertrains, too—albeit all relying on a 1.6-liter I4 engine that serves up 109 hp and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. That unit can then be paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission to post an EPA line of 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, a traditional four-speed automatic that is rated at 26/35/30, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that enables owners to achieve efficiency grades of 31/40/35.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan is on sale now, and if you’re wondering exactly how much of a pricing differential it delivers, you can find that on the next page.

2014 Nissan Versa Sedan: The Price Is Right

In March, the Nissan Versa sold 15,917 units to lead the subcompact segment, and that total was more than double the sales put up by its next-closest in-segment rival, the Chevy Sonic (with 6,907 March deliveries). Now, some of what’s going on here has to do with the fact that Nissan’s numbers are derived from both the Versa Sedan and its similarly named—but mechanically unrelated—hatchback sibling. But the Sonic offers two body styles, as do the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

Besides, pricing surely plays a significant part in the sales numbers, so let’s take a quick look at segment MSRPs to see what kind of an advantage the 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan really offers against the competition.

• 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan—$11,990
• 2013 Ford Fiesta (sedan)—$13,200
• 2013 Kia Rio (sedan)—$13,600
• 2013 Kia Rio5 (hatch)—$13,800
• 2014 Nissan Versa Note (hatch)—$13,990
• 2013 Chevy Sonic (sedan)—$14,185
• 2013 Ford Fiesta (hatch)—$14,200
• 2013 Toyota Yaris (three-door hatch)—$14,370
• 2013 Hyundai Accent (sedan)—$14,545
• 2013 Chevy Sonic (hatch)—$14,785
• 2013 Toyota Yaris (hatch)—$15,395
• 2013 Honda Fit (hatch)—$15,425
• 2013 Hyundai Accent (hatch)—$16,095

Now, it is important to note that although the 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan does have A/C and a sound system, it also has a lower level of other content than its rivals, and adding that equipment to the Nissan negates most of its monetary advantage. But it does extend the opportunity to get a new vehicle to additional customers who don’t mind the tradeoff.