Used 2014 Nissan Versa Note for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note a good car?

Generally — 4.33/5 from owners and 6.67/10 from our experts point to a car that lands solidly on the practical side of the ledger. The model scores 8/10 across Form and function and Technology.

Owners most often praise its fuel efficiency, comfort, and affordability, and the expert review echoes that with notes about its attractive assortment of options, efficient operation, and smart use of interior space. It also fits especially well if you want a car for city driving and daily commuting rather than something built around flash or speed.

The main tradeoff is that owners and testers both point to limited power, especially when you need to merge or accelerate quickly. Even so, 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which helps keep the value case appealing.

Is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner summary also points to a car that feels dependable for daily commuting, with repeated praise for fuel efficiency, comfort, and affordability that tends to matter in long-term ownership.

The expert review adds that the car’s value proposition is strong, but it also notes below-average reliability from J.D. Power and Associates. On the plus side, the review says the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a low-cost car can still become expensive if prior maintenance was skipped or if you inherit a neglected example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2014 Nissan Versa Note?

At 61.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible cosmetic wear. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the car’s equipment and maintenance history match the seller’s claims.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S is the most basic version, with a 5-speed manual, 15-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, a 4-speaker sound system, and little else. The S Plus adds a CVT, cruise control, and active grille shutters, while the SV brings more comfort and convenience features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, power windows and locks, keyless entry, and vanity mirrors. The SL Package adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, push-button ignition, and Easy Fill Tire Alert, while the SL Technology Package adds navigation, voice control, Google Send-to-Car, hands-free text messaging, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor.
• Powertrain: The redesign replaced the old 122-hp 1.8-liter engine with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder making 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. CVT-equipped models are rated at 31 mpg city/40 highway/35 combined, and the CVT responds more effectively than earlier versions, but the car is still relatively underpowered.
• Safety package: The car includes 6 airbags, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, and stability control. Front disc brakes are paired with rear drums, and the review notes that this setup is common in the segment. The safety content does not identify a named driver-assistance suite.
• Infotainment: The available tech includes a 4.3-inch audio display on the SV Convenience Package and a 5.8-inch touchscreen navigation system with voice control on the SL Technology Package. Bluetooth is included, and the SL Technology Package adds hands-free text messaging and Google Send-to-Car.
• Fuel efficiency: CVT-equipped models are rated at 31 mpg city/40 highway/35 combined, and the expert review says the car averaged 35.5 mpg in mixed driving. The cost-effectiveness section also describes the CVT-equipped Versa Note as one of the most economical non-hybrid, non-electric small cars on the market based on its 35 mpg combined rating.

Which 2014 Nissan Versa Note trim should I buy?

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note is offered in 4 trim levels: S, S Plus, SV, SL.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the cheapest way into the Versa Note, but it is very bare-bones. You get the manual transmission, steel wheels, cloth upholstery, and a basic audio setup, so it makes sense only if price matters more than convenience.
• S Plus: This is the better-value entry point if you want an automatic, because it adds the CVT and cruise control while keeping the car affordable. It is the trim that best balances low cost and everyday usability.
• SV: This is the trim most shoppers should target if they want the best mix of comfort and equipment. It adds Bluetooth, power accessories, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, making it the most well-rounded choice.
• SL: This is the most feature-rich version, especially if you want the available tech and convenience upgrades. The SL Package and SL Technology Package add the rear camera, alloy wheels, push-button ignition, navigation, and the 360-degree Around View Monitor.

The safety content does not identify a named driver-assistance suite, so trim choice here is mostly about convenience and technology rather than a specific safety package.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2014 Nissan Versa Note?

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, where you can find value if you shop carefully and verify condition.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 233 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 61.8% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2014 Nissan Versa Note safe?

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in side-impact crash tests and four-star rollover protection, but only three-star protection in front-impact testing.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

The safety equipment includes 6 airbags, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, and stability control. One caveat is that rear brakes are drums rather than discs, and the expert review notes that IIHS ratings were not published at the time of the review.

Should I buy a 2014 Nissan Versa Note or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2014 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2014 if:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 61.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It was fully redesigned for 2014, bringing better efficiency, more interior space, and a stronger value focus.

Consider the 2015 if:

• It adds SR and SL trims that bring more sport and tech appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the cleaner value play, the 2014 is the better starting point because it combines a redesign-year package with strong affordability and practical everyday use. If you’re willing to pay more for extra trim variety and a broader feature set, the 2015 is worth a look, but price-sensitive buyers should stay focused on the 2014 and shop carefully for condition and history.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.