For those curious (even if that's just me), here's a chart from Nissan comparing the gear ratios of the 5-speed gearbox and the CVT:
Photography by David S. Wallens
A brand-new small car for less than $20K with an honest-to-goodness manual transmission in the year of our Lord 2024?
You better believe it.
For just $16,680, Nissan will sell you a bare-bones “S” trim of its Versa with a five-speed manual gearbox, the only version of the Versa–and the only Nissan that’s not a Z–to be available to buy with a manual.
However, our SR-trim loaner for the week has Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, which is optional for the base S model and is the only transmission choice for the rest of the Versa lineup, consisting of the mid-tier SV and top-tier SR.
The Versa we have to drive and review this week is the range-topping SR. Notable features exclusive to this trim include 17-inch wheels, heated seats, LED headlights and Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter inline-four that’s rated at 122 horsepower and 114 lb.-ft. of torque–regardless of your choice of manual or CVT.
All versions of the Versa equipped with the CVT get a fuel economy rating of 32 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway and a combined 35 mpg. Pick the manual, however, and fuel economy drops: 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined.
MSRP for the Versa SR starts at $20,690, with our loaner for week carrying a sticker price of $22,960–only about $1300 less than the Sentra SR we tested a few weeks ago.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to drop them below.
For those curious (even if that's just me), here's a chart from Nissan comparing the gear ratios of the 5-speed gearbox and the CVT:
How defeatable is the everything?
I can't be the only one thinking that it's a Gridlife Sundae cup car available brand new? The internet says 2600-2700lbs, 122hp puts you in the range. Looks like 4 lug so *probably* 4x100?
Will 15s clear the front brakes? For science?
First impression: pretty cool looks, but does the steering wheel need to be hard plastic? Just that one change could totally transform the feel of this one. So, first impression? Cheap.
More to come.
Well, it IS a $17k car in 2024.
We have three new Versas as loaners at work. They're surprisingly nice compared to what I was expecting from a Versa.
True, the Versa starts at $17k. Ours stickers at $20k and, with options, comes in at $22k.
It just reminds me of my first encounter with a Dodge Neon, so we’re talking 1994. I wonder how much more it would cost to spec out a nicer steering wheel?
I think the things that you touch–steering wheel, knobs, switches, etc.–should deliver a reassuring feel.
I am bummed that this one doesn’t have a stick. Getting one of those has been discussed with a friend at Nissan. :)
I had one of these as a rental car a while back. I was shocked at how bad it was from a finish perspective. And I drive a 2014 note on the daily. Like I don't mind if a car is cheap as berkeley, but don't lie to me.
I’ll be putting some miles on it tomorrow.
That base $16,xxx version? No key fob, unlock the door with an actual key in the lock, start the car with a key into the ignition.
Just like it's 1985. AND it's a 5-speed manual. None of that high society 6-speed stuff. Funnier if it had a 4-speed.
My bad, our tester has the leather-wrapped wheel. But it’s a hard leather that nearly feels like plastic.
Datsun240ZGuy said:That base $16,xxx version? No key fob, unlock the door with an actual key in the lock, start the car with a key into the ignition.
Just like it's 1985. AND it's a 5-speed manual. None of that high society 6-speed stuff. Funnier if it had a 4-speed.
Unlike 1985, though, all Versas get three (3) USB ports. :)
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