Drive Notes: 2024 Nissan Versa SR

The high cost of new cars is often bemoaned by consumers and keyboard warriors such as us alike. Sticker prices are high these days, no doubt. Enter the 2024 Nissan Versa -- a potentially decent set of wheels for under $25K.

Is the Versa a good entry-level ride or a penalty box?

Read on.

Overall, the package is pleasant, but there are some cons. First, however, the highlights.

Pros

• Apple CarPlay is available, though wired. So is satellite radio and heated seats. These are popular features and it's nice to not give them up even at this price point.
• The car handles better than one would expect. Not sporty, precisely, but it's not somnolent.
• Trunk space is plentiful.
• I like the styling inside and out.
• On a MPG basis, fuel economy is excellent. There's a caveat, however. See below.
• Knobs! Buttons! An easy-to-learn-quickly infotainment system! Thank you, Nissan.

Cons

• The engine is a bit too noisy under load or when pushed -- and you'll be pushing it a lot. There's only 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque from the 1.6-liter four-pot, and that lack of guts is felt.
• The CVT is whiny and obnoxious. It's also too easy to accidentally select "L" instead of "Drive".
• The ride is a tad too stiff at times.
• The infotainment screen is small, and so is the center console.
• Interior materials don't feel quality -- there are too many hard plastics inside.
• I wished for more info from the gauge cluster. You can set up a tach but if you could bring forth other basic gauges, I couldn't figure it out.
• While the MPG numbers are great, the range stunk, presumably due to a small fuel tank.
• It didn't matter in terms of braking performance, as far as I could tell, but the rear brakes are drums. In the year 2024.

That sounds like a lot of cons, but remember, the price here is $22K and change. I'll point this out when the full review is written, but you do expect to make some tradeoffs when buying one of the least-expensive cars on the market. If you can live with some roughness around the edges and some powertrain woes, the Versa gets you some basic creature comforts. Some people just need basic transport, and while you could stretch your dollar and bring home a much-nicer Honda Civic, the Versa will suffice for those who want/need to spend as little as possible.

[Images: Nissan]

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