2022 Nissan Versa Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Nissan Versa built its name on being a value-forward compact hatchback with a few nice extras that make it feel less like a punishment...

The Nissan Versa built its name on being a value-forward compact hatchback with a few nice extras that make it feel less like a punishment than many of its rivals. Now in its third generation, the Versa last got a major overhaul in 2020. It enters 2022 without any changes.

Nissan offers the 2022 Versa in three trims: S, SV, and SR. Pricing for the line starts at $16,055, including destination charges, and tops out at $19,465. That pricing means that buyers can opt for the top SR trim and go all-out with options and still not break the bank. Though cars are a dying breed as more buyers opt for SUVs, the Versa has strong competition from a wide variety of auto brands. The car competes against the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Chevrolet Spark.

All models get a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. Though smooth, power delivery is lacking, and the Versa does not feel eager in any driving situations. That said, after years of investment and development, Nissan does CVTs as well as anyone. The Versa’s gearbox is refined and pairs well with the engine.

Fuel economy estimates for the car are strong. The EPA says that the CVT-equipped Versa should return 32 mpg in the city and up to 40 mpg on the highway. Buyers who opt to keep the default manual gearbox lose out on that efficiency, however, as the car only achieves 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway with the row-your-own option.

The Versa is reasonably well-equipped out of the box with standard 15-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, four speakers, a 7-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, power windows and door locks, and traction control. The best features are held back for the SV and SR trims, however. They include 16- or 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, premium cloth upholstery, keyless entry with push-button start, a driver-alertness monitoring system, rear-door alerts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and more.

Though small, the Versa’s grown-up interior features enough space to carry full-size people in the back seat. There’s also a surprising amount of cargo space. With the rear seats upright, the Versa offers around 15 cubic feet of space, which opens further with the seats folded flat.

The 2022 Versa hasn’t been crash-tested by either major ratings agency yet, but the 2021 model scored “Good” in limited testing by the Insurance Agency for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Versa five stars overall and notes one open recall for the car.