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One of the oldest Nissan models that have been exclusive to only a select few countries around the world, the Nissan Versa has long been one of the manufacturer’s more luxurious 4-door sedans. First introduced in 2006, with a design that lasted until 2012, the 2021 models design was first introduced in 2019.
It has had the same basic shape and has a longer body than before, with sleek lines leading from the headlights to the car’s rear. Starting at $14,980, it has several features, gearbox options, and trim options that will see the price go well above $20,000 with trims, sounds, colors, and finishes.
The 2021 Nissan Versa is only available with a 1.6-liter engine with 16-valves, capable of providing 122 horsepower at 6300 RPM. It is a front-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan that can either come with a 5-speed manual gearbox or have a CVT gearbox, sporting 0-60 in 20.4 seconds.
As with all mid-sized sedans, it is extremely fuel-efficient and can do 26mpg, with highway trips easily sporting 40 mpg. This makes the range it can do 430 miles on one tank when driving on the highway, with the mileage different wildly in the city where you may be stuck in stop-start traffic.
The Nissan Versa comes standard with stability control, electric windows, 15-inch split aluminum alloy wheels, lane departure warning, a stereo system, and some have automatic braking. All models have driver-side and passenger airbags with air-conditioning, power door locks, and a speed sensing auto-lock.
- Front Head Room – 39.5 inches
- Front Leg Room – 44.5 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 53.1 inches
- Rear Head Room – 36.3 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 31 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 53.6 inches
- Trunk Volume – 15 ft3 (cubic feet)
There are models of the Nissan Versa that have remote start and stop systems, with full climate control, follow me headlights, automatic temperature controls, and a 7-inch NissanConnect color touchscreen. However, most of these features do not come standard and will have to be added.
The more expensive models of the Nissan Versa called the SV and SR, have larger wheels that are either 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels or 17-inch 5 spoke aluminum-alloy wheels. However, these can be added to the base model for extra, without getting the other features.
The top three alternatives to the Nissan Versa
The fantastic thing about the cars that share the same size and type as the Nissan Versa is the options to choose from. Several cars offer less overall but cost a significantly smaller amount, while others could be seen as the luxury models of the car.
We always recommend that you choose the car that you feel the most comfortable with, as you will have to be the one that drives it. These three cars directly compete with the Nissan Versa on every front, including price, ability, and comfortability.
1. Kia Rio
With an MSRP starting at $16,990, the Kia Rio and the more luxurious models are strong competitors to the Nissan Versa. The Kia Rio range of cars has long been loved by many, as the cars usually feel a bit stronger when handled, using solid plastics on the inside that makes it feel more premium.
The Kia Rio has every accessory that others in its class have but with the benefit of a few creatures features above its class. Like the cruise control, remote keyless entry, trunk opener, center console, auto emergency braking, LED headlights, and the UVO Link Connectivity service.
Both versions of the Kia Rio features a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine with what Kia calls an intelligent variable automatic transmission. As standard, it will include air conditioning, mounted audio controls on the steering wheel, and wireless apple car play, and android auto.
The car has the same dimensions as the Nissan Versa in the sedan configuration, but the hatchback version has a much larger trunk space as it has seats that can fold down.
- Front Head Room – 38.5 inches
- Front Leg Room – 42.1 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 54.1 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.4 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 33.5 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 53.3 inches
- Trunk Volume – 13.7 ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
2. Hyundai Accent
From the Korean company, the Hyundai Accent has long been a competitor of the compact sedan world that the Nissan Versa is comfortably living in, starting at $15,395. This car has gone through several iterations, each one either growing or shrinking the total size, with many of the models aimed squarely at the middle-class.
Easily doing 33Mpg on average, the base model, the SE, comes standard with a 5-inch color touchscreen, making it a dream to operate. Further, each model has air-conditioning, rearview monitor, Bluetooth handsfree, cloth seats, and cruise control.
The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine can easily push out 120 horsepower, reaching 118 Mph with the manual transmission base model. With an automatic gearbox, the car can reach a top speed of only 115 Mph, making it a comfortable car to cruise in when the need does arise.
When it comes to the dimensions, the 2021 Accent is slightly larger than the previous interpretations, offering a lot more space in the front and rear than older models.
- Front Head Room – 38.9 inches
- Front Leg Room – 42.1 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 54.2 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.3 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 33.5 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 53.7 inches
- Trunk Volume – 13.7 ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
3. Toyota Corolla
With the end of the Yaris line of cars, Toyota’s only model to compete with the Nissan Versa is the Toyota Corolla. Starting at $20,075, it is not the most affordable car, but it does offer a few creature features straight out of the box that other cars ask you to pay extra for.
The accessories are more refined from the base model upwards, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen, six speakers, android, and apple car play. Air-conditioning, automatic engine on-off, automatic locking doors, powered windows throughout the car, and front USB ports to charge devices.
Because the Toyota Corolla is technically not a compact sedan, it has larger engines than the other options available. The base model has a 1.8-liter engine that easily pushes 139 horsepower, while the top-of-the-line model has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that comfortably provides 169 horsepower at peak.
The Toyota Corolla has a wide range of efficiency, with the 2.0-liter engine not doing well in cities, but the 1.8-liter falling behind on the open road. Despite the overall size of the car, it sports the same interior comfort as the others.
- Front Head Room – 38.3 inches
- Front Leg Room – 42 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 54 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.1 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 34.8 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 51.7 inches
- Trunk Volume – 13.1 ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Seven more Vehicles similar to the Nissan Versa
While these are not the best of the best, they certainly have impressed us because they are either sedans that are pleasantly kicking above their weight or because they are hatchbacks that should be considered. Each of the following eight cars is unique in its way and should be considered when you are looking for your next car.
Mini Cooper
Easily the oddest addition to our listings, the Mini Cooper is priced quite higher than the Nissan Versa or the Toyota Corolla. Starting at $22,400, the car can have engine changes, body changes, and accessory changes that increase the price to $44,900, almost double the competition.
The car can have a normal 1.5-liter engine that is perfect for driving in the city, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine or a 2.0-liter diesel engine. These larger engines focus on longer travel distances and allow the car to be used in all of its larger body shapes.
You can expect 301 horsepower from the 2-liter engines; however, the 1.5-liter engines are competing with the compact sedans. These smaller engines only produce around 134-horsepower in the front-wheel drive, the base model of the Mini Cooper.
The 5-door hatchback has been a favorite alternative to sedans for many years and has several features that make it more competitive in the market overall. You can easily add anything you want to the vehicles, including leaving them almost completely bare if needed.
This means that the seats can be cloth or leather, have a full surround sound system throughout the vehicle, cruise control, electric windows, lane assist, and several other features. Internally the space of the vehicle does not fail to impress and allows five people to sit comfortably.
- Front Head Room – 39.9 inches
- Front Leg Room – 40.4 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 54.8 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.5 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 37.6 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 54 inches
- Trunk Volume – 15.9 ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Nissan Versa is great if you want to stick with the compact sedan range of cars; however, if you are looking for a competing hatchback in the same price range, the Mitsubishi Mirage is the best. This small hatchback boasts a starting price of $14,295 and does great both in the city and the open road.
The small hatchback has a strong 1.2-liter engine that easily has 78 horsepower and provides city efficiency at 36 Mpg and highway efficiency of 43 Mpg. It has an airbag system that deploys seven bags throughout the car and, as standard, includes both electric windows and a touch screen.
If selected, you also get cruise control, a rearview camera system, and special body panels to add to the car’s look. As with all smaller hatchbacks, it has a full LED light system that makes visibility and night driving much easier than the standard halogen lights.
Only the car’s base model has a manual transmission, with all other models having an automatic gearbox that works on the CVT system. The vehicle has fold-down seats that provide a variable trunk space but still offer comfortable interior seating.
- Front Head Room – 39 inches
- Front Leg Room – 41.7 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 51.7 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.2 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 34.2 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 51 inches
- Trunk Volume – 17.1 ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Suzuki Ciaz
A direct competitor to the Nissan Versa, the Suzuki Ciaz has a lower entry point than most of the other compact sedans we are looking at. The 2020 models all starting at only $14,890 with a strong 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 91 horsepower.
However, this small engine belies that it can make the light body reach a top speed of 120mph, which is higher than some other cars. Unfortunately, because the Suzuki Ciaz is not shipped specifically to the US, it does not have a wide range of transmission options in the base model.
With a manual gearbox to start with, you will have to add in the automatic transmission as an extra to the car as a whole. However, the car does sport many accessories as a standard, with the entertainment system including both of Apple and Android’s car play systems.
All models include air conditioning, seat belt warning systems, central locking, touch screen, surround sound system, and USB input. Further, they have power steering, power windows, parking sensors, climate control as an option, and electric folding rearview mirrors.
As for the vehicle’s dimensions, it has a lot of space and offers comfort for everyone that is sitting with you in the car.
- Front Head Room – 35.4 inches
- Front Leg Room – 38.9 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 53.1 inches
- Rear Head Room – 35.4 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 37.5 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 53 inches
- Trunk Volume – 20ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Nissan Sentra
The big brother to the Nissan Versa, the starting price for this larger but still compact sedan, is $19,510, and it has several standard features that others don’t have. With a stronger standard, 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine, these also produce much more power than the Nissan Versa.
As standard, it comes with power windows, automatic locking for the doors, remote engine start, and a 7-inch display infotainment system. Further, the cars all have 16-inch alloy wheels combined with cruise control, collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic gearboxes.
When moving up with the car’s tier lists, the options become a lot more complex, and the things that are automatically included become even more expensive. The Nissan Sentra sports great fuel economy with 29mpg when in the city and easily reaching 39mpg on the highway.
This compact sedan offers a lot more at a higher price than its smaller brother and is usually the next progression that people take when moving up from the Versa. Further, the car’s interior dimensions also make it a comfortable ride no matter where you are.
- Front Head Room – 38.9 inches
- Front Leg Room – 44.0 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 56.4 inches
- Rear Head Room – 35.4 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 34.7 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 54.5 inches
- Trunk Volume – 14.3ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Honda Civic
Starting at $22,200, the Civic range of cars from Honda is easily the most popular car that they have available. It has long been the first car that many buy, especially the more racing orientated Type-R; however, the normal Civic already delivers everything needed for use.
Coming standard with carplay from Apple and Android Autoplay and the Honda safety and driver-assistive technologies, it is a car that starts with almost everything. Further, each model has the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes it easily provides 174-horsepower.
As standard, it has almost everything that a sedan can have in it, with the optional additions being extra cupholders, pedal shifters, or even a full leather interior. However, as standard, you can enjoy cruise control, illuminated door lock controls, power windows, and even air conditioning.
The Honda civic is usually a car you buy once and fall in love with forever, as it has everything you may need now and can be added onto to have more than you would ever imagine. Inside it has the size to be comfortable when alone or when taking the family around the country.
- Front Head Room – 39.3 inches
- Front Leg Room – 42.3 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 56.9 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.4 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 36.0 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 55.0 inches
- Trunk Volume – 25.7ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Chevrolet Malibu
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The Chevrolet Malibu is the company’s answer to finding something that will make the entire family feel comfortable and be a daily driver to and from work. Starting at $22,140, the car has a sleek design that makes it fit in with a few of the upper-class sedans that it can compete with.
With two engine options, the 1.5-liter turbo or the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the efficiency and power of the car can vary greatly. The smaller engine reaches 29-mpg in the city and 36-mpg on the highway, while the 2.0-liter engine fails in the city at 22-mpg and on the highway at 33-mpg.
While Malibu is not nearly as efficient as its counterparts, it has almost everything as standard, including ten airbags, a full entertainment system, and cruise control. The large body also helps to give the car a more comfortable ride overall as the suspensions have been built to reduce discomfort.
- Front Head Room – 39.1 inches
- Front Leg Room – 41.5 inches
- Front Shoulder Room – 58.5 inches
- Rear Head Room – 37.5 inches
- Rear Leg Room – 38.1 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room – 57.1 inches
- Trunk Volume – 15.7ft3 (cubic feet) with the seats up
Volkswagen Jetta
Technically the Volkswagen Jetta is not completely the same as the other compact sedans on this list, as it comes with fewer options overall. However, with the 1.4-liter engine as the standard, the compact sedan can provide anyone with a smooth ride, as it produces 147-horsepower.
Fortunately, despite the lack of options, the Volkswagen Jetta comes with solid build quality and several features as standard already. Starting at $18,995, it has a six-speed manual transmission that can be upgraded with larger engines to be automatic.
As standard, the lowest model has applications connect to the entertainment system, Bluetooth technology, a 6.5-inch color display, USB-C ports, and the full Volkswagen car network system. Because the Jetta has fewer options, the standard ones you get are already quite impressive.
On average, you will be getting 30 MPG in the city with the smaller engine, while the larger engine options will provide a comfortably 40-mpg on the highway. However, it will vary greatly on how you drive the car as it comes with the six-speed manual gearbox.
As for the interior dimensions, the Jetta sports nothing fancy and will comfortably fit a family on vacation or just one person commuting each day.