Nissan->ke62 introduced a revamped Versa->ke328 for the 2015 model year, but the word “revamped” is a bit of a stretch given the minor changes that took place for 2015. On the outside, the grille now has a curvature to it, and the air inlet on each corner of the fascia has been opened up a little more. The headlights now have a new shape and design, but are a bit uglier than before, and the same goes for the taillights in the rear. Inside, the instrument cluster now has LED backlights, and the center stack has a slightly refreshed look to it. The steering wheel has also been revised to offer audio and hands-free calling controls. Under the hood, the 2015 Versa carries on with the same, boring 109-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder.

As you can see, Nissan did very little to the Versa for 2015 but, considering it is the cheapest model in its segment, it still has a lot going for it. Plus, you can add the fact that for a compact, it does offer pretty comfortable seating for five people. The biggest problem Nissan faces is that, despite its starting price of just $11,990, competing models that cost just a little more come better equipped. Of course, the car is aimed at young buyers with a limited budget so the Versa may be able to carry on for a couple more years.

The Versa sedan’s primary competitors include the Ford Fiesta->ke1170 Sedan->ke142 and the Kia Rio->ke1322 Sedan, both of which are priced a bit higher, but offer up a little more for the taking. If you’re interested to know just how well the Versa competes, check out our full review below.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015-2016 Nissan Versa Sedan.

nissan-versa-sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: nissan-versa-sedan
Pros
Cons

2015 - 2016 Nissan Versa Sedan

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 - 2016 Nissan Versa Sedan
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 109 @ 6000
  • Torque: 107 @ 4400
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not a whole lot of significant changes were done on the outside of the Versa Sedan, but a close inspection will reveal a couple of things. Chief among them are the redesigned headlights and the front grille, which now come with a standard chrome plating. That's the extent of what you're going to get on the front section of the 2015 Versa Sedan.

Meanwhile, the rear section of the sedan also received tweaked taillights to go with a sportier rear bumper.

The higher trim SV and SL models also gets the benefit of a new fog light-finisher design, new side mirror designs, and a new set of 15-inch V-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.

There aren't enough changes to blow your mind, but the subtlelties are there to make for an improved sedan.

2014 Nissan Versa Sedan Vs. 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan

2015 Nissan Versa Sedan - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

102.4 Inches

Overall length

175.4 Inches

Overall width

66.7 Inches

Overall height

59.6 Inches

Track width (front)

58.3 Inches

Track width (rear)

58.5 Inches


New for 2016:

- Body-color power outside mirrors now standard on all grade levels

- Two new exterior colors – Cayenne Red and Gun Metallic (eight total)

Interior

The 2015 Versa Sedan prides itself on having the most legroom of any other sedan in its class. Hard to make a case considering the market it's in, but the Versa does offer comfortable five-passenger seating. The new shape of the center stack is also a welcome refresh, as is the revised meter display that now proudly carries a white LED display that's been changed from the orange lighting of previous models.

Then there's the new steering wheel, which now carries standard audio and Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System controls. Like the exterior, the changes are small enough to be indistinguishable to some customers. But dive a little deeper and you'll notice them.

2014 Nissan Versa Sedan Vs. 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan

2014 Nissan Versa Sedan Vs. 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan

2015 Nissan Versa Sedan - Interior Dimensions

39.8 Inches

Head room (front)

36.6 Inches

Head room (rear)

41.8 Inches

Leg room (front)

37.0 Inches

Leg room (rear)

48.1 Inches

Hip room (front)

46.2 Inches

Hip room (rear)

51.7 Inches

Shoulder room (front)

51.9 Inches


New for 2016

- Addition of standard rear speakers for Versa Sedan S grade

- SL grade adds leather-wrapped steering wheel

Drivetrain

No changes were made to the engine, either. So prepare yourself for the same 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces just 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque while mated to a five-speed manual transmission. optionally, you can equip the Versa with a four-speed auto or Nissan's Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy isn't particularly impressive at just 27 mpg in the city and 36 mph on the highway with the manual, but the CVT puts it at a more sub-compact-like 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.

2015 Nissan Versa Sedan - Drivetrain Specifications

Type

1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine

Horsepower

109 hp @ 6,000 rpm

Torque

107 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Transmission

5-Speed Manual (Four-Speed Auto or Xtronic CVT optional)

Fuel economy (MPG City/Highway

27 / 36 (Manual) 26 / 35 (Auto) 31 / 40 (Xtronic CVT)


Prices

Nissan is offering five trim options for the Versa, starting with the 1.6 S, which has a price of just $11,990. Even the top-of-the-line trim, the 1.6 SL, retails for only $16,890, continuing the Versa's distinction as the cheapest (new) car in the U.S. Even with all of the options checked off and a few of the more common accessories added in -- no, I left off the $12 valve stem caps that will be lost at the first tire change -- the Versa came in at a thrifty $19,915.

Pricing

Versa 1.6 S

1.6 Liter 4 cyl MT

$11,990

Versa 1.6 S

1.6 Liter 4 cyl AT

$12,990

Versa 1.6 S

1.6 Liter 4 cyl CVT

$13,790

Versa 1.6 S Plus

1.6 Liter 4 cyl CVT

$15,240

Versa 1.6 SV

1.6 Liter 4 cyl CVT

$16,890


2016 Nissan Versa Sedan - Prices

Versa Sedan 1.6 S 5MT

$11,990 USD

Versa Sedan 1.6 S 4AT

$13,490 USD

Versa Sedan 1.6 S Plus Xtronic

$13,990 USD

Versa Sedan1.6 SV Xtronic

$15,530 USD

Versa Sedan 1.6 SL Xtronic

$17,090 USD


Options

Technology Package


- NissanConnect with Navigation, including 5.8-inch color touch-screen monitor and voice recognition for audio and navigation

- POIs powered by Google and Google Send-To-Car

- NavTraffic and NavWeather

- Pandora® radio compatibility

- RearView Monitor

- Hands-free text messaging assistant

$760


Accessories

Splash Guards

$135

Carpeted Trunk and Floor Mats

$170

Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror with Homelink® and Compass

$270

Interior Trim Appliques

$230

Illuminated Kick Plates

$255

Chrome Trunk Accent

$120

Wheel Locks

$44

Side-Window Deflectors

$95

Nissan Vehicle Tracking and Recovery Service

$500

License Plate Frame (Chromed)

$35 ($40)

"Nissan" Valve Stem Caps

$12

Custom-Fit Car Cover

$105

Custom-Fit Car Cover Lock

$11

Interior Accent Lighting

$180

All-Season Floor Mats

$95

Carpeted Trunk Mat

$55

Cargo Organizer

$55

Emergency Road Kit

$63

First Aid Kit

$26

Seat Belt Extender

$46

Illuminated Ash Cup

$35


Competition

Ford Fiesta Sedan

It's hard to argue against the starting price of the Nissan Versa Sedan because it's cheaper than just about any other car in the US. But the Ford Fiesta Sedan makes its own compelling case.

For one, the new Fiesta’s exterior styling is now much more approachable, with big-car cues in its grille and nose that are designed to make it seem larger than it is. That's a pretty big deal considering that cars of this segment aren't usually the type to have some enviable appearances.

On top of that, the Fiesta Sedan also has a choice of engine, something the Versa doesn't have. With it, customers can choose from a 1.0-liter EcoBoost that produces 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque or the more popular 1.6-liter inline-four that only has 120 horsepower and 112 ponies at its disposal. Both figures still represent better output compared to what the Versa is capable of.

Then again, with a base price of $14,000 for the S Sedan trim all the way up to $18,200 for the Titanium Sedan trim, the Fiesta Sedan still can't call itself cheaper than its Nissan counterpart.

2014 Kia Rio Sedan

You can make a case that the Kia Rio is one of the best values of its segment. Sure, the base price of $13,900 is still more expensive than the Versa Sedan, but for what you get, there's a lot more value to the Rio than most cars of this segment.

The attractive aesthetics and the comfortable interior are only two pieces to the Rio's puzzle. More impressive is the fact that it also carries a 1.6-liter inline-four engine that produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque with fuel efficiency at 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Those are the same returns you can get with the Versa Sedan with extra ponies attributed to the Rio.

All that and you have a car that only costs $13,900 with a top-of-the-line model at $17,900, a little over than what you're paying for with the Versa Sedan.

Conclusion

Nissan isn't pulling any punches with the Versa Sedan. It knows what it has and its determined to make it as successful as possible. Having the cheapest price of any car in the US is a huge plus, but what do you really get with all of it in the end?

Models like the Rio 5-Door and the Fiesta Sedan may be a little more expensive, but there's more upside with those two models than what the Versa Sedan has. In the end, we'll settle for paying the added money on the price because the long-term benefits are much more exciting.