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2012 Nissan Versa

Rating7.1

Ranked #1 in Subcompact Sedan

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Starting MSRP 

$10,990 - $15,990

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Key Spec of 2012 Nissan Versa
fuel economy

27/31/36

fuel type

regular unleaded

horsepower

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

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2012 Nissan Versa Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

The Nissan Versa falls into a niche segment of sedans that vaunt affordability as their strongest suit. Priced at $10,990 for its base variant, the compact sedan is a pocket-friendly option for those who want a hands-on vehicle that fits perfectly into the definition of being a daily driver. However, it lacks the engagement in its drive, you get from its direct rivals.

2012 Nissan Versa Latest Updates

  • Dec' 1, 2021 : 2022 Nissan Versa Prices Announced! Starts Under $16,000 Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Affordable option

Lacks engagement in its drive

Redesigned for the current MY

Pleasurable ride quality

Commodious cabin

Over All Rating

7.1

Out of 10

Pricing and Features6.00
Pricing and Feature6.00
Features7.00
Engine and Performance6.30
Fuel Economy8.00
Interior7.20
Exterior6.00
Safety7.30
Competition9.00
Notable Rankings

#1 in Subcompact Sedan

#12 in Sedan

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2012 Nissan Versa exterior
2012 Nissan Versa exterior
2012 Nissan Versa exterior
2012 Nissan Versa exterior
2012 Nissan Versa exterior
2012 Nissan Versa exterior

Trims

S$10,990 onwards

  • 15-inch steel Wheels
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • AM/FM stereo
  • Cloth Seat trim
  • Front manual air conditioning
  • Seek-Scan Radio
Build Car

SV$14,980 onwards

  • Remote keyless entry
Build Car

SL$15,990 onwards

  • 15-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
  • Front Fog/driving lights
Build Car

Colors and Styles

2012 Nissan Versa in Arctic Blue Metallic color
Arctic Blue Metallic

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

For the MY 2012, Nissan has revamped the Versa completely. Though it is still subtle in its design, it now resonates with a contemporary aura and looks on par with most sedans in its segment. Even on the inside, it feels refreshing and its standard features are enough to keep you busy, when on the go. Considering its price, the 2012 Versa falls in a similar ballpark as the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Ford Fiesta

Features
7.0/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa is available in three different trims namely the S, SV, and SL. Each trim makes use of a standard engine option and is differentiated from the other by a set of features they possess. In addition, it features two transmission options; however, the manual gearbox is available only with the base trim. The sedan falls in a price range that extends from $10,990 to $15,990 and some of its exclusive trim-wise features include:

Trim

S

SV

SL

MSRP (Manual)

$10,990

N/A

N/A

MSRP (CVT)

$13,120

$14,980

$15,990

Key Features

Remote Trunk Release

Adds to or retains features of S

Adds to or retains features of SV

 

Air Conditioning

Keyless Entry

Alarm

 

Anti-theft alarm system

Optional Wireless Cellphone Hookup

Passenger Vanity Mirror

 

Intermittent Wipers

Power windows

Satellite Radio

 

Optional Rear Spoiler

Cruise Control

Aluminum Wheels

 

Cloth Upholstery

Power mirrors

Fog Lamps

We Recommend

Amongst the available trim options, we recommend opting for the 2012 Nissan Versa SL that adds to the existing list of features available with both the base and mid-level trim. At a diminutive price difference, it adds specifications like fog lamps, satellite radio, and aluminum wheels and comes with a standard CVT transmission. 

Engine and Performance
6.3/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa makes use of a single-engine option and though an upgrade to a more powerful engine is not available, it can be of great use to the sedan. The standard engine unit is a 1.6L inline-4 option that produces 109hp and 107lb.-ft of torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and is channeled as an FWD variant only. Available as optional on the base and as standard on other trims, is a CVT unit that works smoothly. The sedan sprints from 0-60 mph in 10.4 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 17.5 seconds, making it the slowest car on the block. However, its oneness lies is in its comfort and the ride quality is supreme, but it lacks a fun-to-drive aura that its rivals boast.

Models

Nissan Versa

Hyundai Accent

Kia Rio

Ford Fiesta

MSRP

$10,990

$12,545

$13,400

$13,200

Engine

1.6L inline-4

1.6L inline-4

1.6L inline-4

1.6L inline-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

5-speed manual

6-speed manual

6-speed manual

5-speed manual

Horsepower

109hp

138hp

138hp

120hp

Torque (lb.-ft)

107lb.-ft

123lb.-ft

123lb.-ft

112lb.-ft

0-60 MPH

10.4 seconds

9 seconds

8.9 seconds

9.7 seconds

Quarter mile

17.5 seconds

16.8 seconds

16.7 seconds

17.3 seconds

Top Speed (mph)

119 MPH

N/A

N/A

115 MPH

The 2012 Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio share the same underpinnings and produce the highest power and torque outputs of 138hp and 123lb.-ft. They make use of a 6-speed manual transmission system, while the less powerful 2012 Ford Fiesta makes use of a 5-speed manual setup. While the Kia and Hyundai are undoubtedly the quickest in the segment, the Toyota ranks third and is almost half a second quicker than the Nissan taking 9.7 and 17.3 seconds in the 60mph and quarter-mile run, respectively.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa is extremely frugal, yet its competitors manage to outshine it. According to estimates, the sedan can manage 27MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and has a combined efficiency of 30MPG. However, it does feature the least voluminous tank in the segment that can hold only 10.8-gallons of fuel, and consequently, it manages only 292 city miles and 389 highway miles and lurks at the bottom of the table.

Models

Nissan Versa

Hyundai Accent

Kia Rio

Ford Fiesta

MPG (city)

27

28

29

29

MPG (highway)

36

37

37

38

MPG (combined)

30

32

32

33

Fuel tank capacity (gal.)

10.8

11.4

11.4

12

Range (miles)

292/389 mi

319/422 mi

331/422 mi

348/456 mi

The similarities between the Kia and Hyundai also extend to its fuel efficiency managing a combined mileage of 32 MPG. The Ford Fiesta, on the other hand, is the most conservative option, thanks to its combined efficiency of 33 MPG and a fuel tank of 12-gallons that work together to bestow the highest range of 348 and 456 miles, respectively.

Interior
7.2/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa receives an update inside out. Consequently, the cabin has been redesigned and while it does look modern and sleek, the material quality is a barrier in its likability. It features hard-touch plastics that run through the dash and even the standard cloth upholstery isn’t appealing. However, the cabin is practical and all features are in the driver’s arm’s reach. The cabin is highly usable, but the competitors manage to place themselves higher in the ranks with their refinement.

The 2012 Nissan Versa can seat five passengers and while there is ample head-, shoulder-, and legroom on offer, the seats lack comfort and are hard to get used to. They lack under-thigh and knee support, making long rides a dreadful experience. In terms of cargo capacity, it leads the segment with its sizable trunk that has a total volume of 14.8 cubic feet and is adequate to place two large boxes inside.

Models

Nissan Versa

Hyundai Accent

Kia Rio

Ford Fiesta

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)

39.8/51.7/41.8

39.9/53.7/41.8

40/53.1/43.8

39.1/52.7/42.2

Second (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)

36.6/51.9/37

37.2/53.4/33.3

37.6/52.1/31.1

37.1/49/31.2

Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)

14.8

13.7

13.7

12.8

Each sedan in the segment has a total seating capacity of five passengers, however, each competitor of the Nissan has a constrained feeling to its vehicle due to the restricted legroom for rear-seat passengers. But each of the 2012 Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Ford Fiesta have better-designed cabins that use plusher materials. In terms of cargo space, each of the three vehicles has a lower capacity with the Ford ranking last having a total trunk volume of 12.8 cubic feet.

Some of the salient interior features include:

  • Remote Trunk Release
  • Cloth Upholstery
  • Electric power steering
  • Tilt only Steering Column
  • Single zone Front Air Conditioning
  • Front and Rear Cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2012 Nissan Versa?

The infotainment system of the 2012 Nissan Versa is no pomp and gaiety. While it is easy to use and adaptable, it lacks a touchscreen system as standard and comes equipped with basic features like AM/FM stereo and a CD Player. With the optional packages, better features can be added to the vehicle and the top-tier also gets an option for a compact touchscreen display unit. Some of the salient infotainment features available with the sedan include:

  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • MP3 Player
  • Satellite Radio
  • 2/4-Speaker Sound System
  • SV Convenience Package
  • SL Tech Package
Exterior
6.0/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa looks better with its refreshed design and only carries forward a similar level of subtlety. It is now bigger and looks muscular and flared when compared with the outgoing model. The head and taillamps look extremely positive and the use of chrome to highlight the front grille is quirky in its essence. Equipped with the optional rear spoiler, the sedan looks a bit more aggressive and athletic, however, we’d stick to the basics, any day of the week.

The 2012 Nissan Versa is the longest vehicle and also sports the best wheelbase of 102.4 inches, which allows for higher space for rear-seat passengers. It is 66.7 inches wide and stands tallest in the segment at a height of 59.6 inches. It is also the lightest sedan weighing just 2,350 lbs.

Models

Nissan Versa

Hyundai Accent

Kia Rio

Ford Fiesta

Curb Weight (lbs.)

2,350

2,396

N/A

2,578

Length (in.)

175.4

172

171.9

173.6

Width (in.)

66.7

66.9

67.7

67.8

Height (in.)

59.6

57.1

57.3

58

Ground clearance (in.)

N/A

N/A

5.5

N/A

Wheelbase (in)

102.4

101.2

101.2

98

All three competitors of the 2012 Nissan Versa are rather sharp and sportier in their design. However, in terms of dimensions, each of them is smaller. While the 2012 Ford Fiesta sports the shortest wheelbase in the segment of 98 inches, the Kia Rio stands at 5.5 inches from the ground. However, both sedans are wider than their competitors and measure just under 68 inches. On the other hand, the Hyundai Accent has the shortest length and height of 172 and 57.1 inches, respectively.

Some standout exterior features of the 2012 Nissan Versa include:

  • Rear Spoiler
  • 15-inch wheels
  • Body-colored bumpers
  • Splash Guards
  • Chrome cladding to the grille
Safety
7.3/10

The 2012 Nissan Versa scores 4-star ratings in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and a rating of “Good” by the IIHS. It comes equipped with an extensive list of standard safety features. These include brake assist, child seat anchors, and 4-wheel ABS. It is equipped with ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear that helps manage decent deceleration performance. Some of the other salient safety specifications include:

  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Traction and Stability Control
  • Front Seatbelt Pretensioners
  • Child Seat Anchors
  • Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • Airbag System
Final Verdict

The refreshed variant of the Nissan Versa only helps improve its appeal but does not contribute to its cause of becoming a mainstream choice against sought-after rivals. It lacks the acceleration capabilities and fuel efficiency its competitors possess and houses an overtly minimalistic cabin setup that though usable, lacks a sense of sophistication and refinement. For an entry-level vehicle that is affordable, the absence of luxury features is not a grave problem, however, with competitors offering better specification load, we’d suggest looking out for other vehicles before finalizing a decision. 

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$15990

body style

4dr Sedan

engine type
displacement

98 cu in

horse power

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

torque

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

transmission

2-Speed CVT w/Overdrive

dimensions
length

175.4 in

wheelbase

102.4 in

width

66.7 in

curb weight

2459 lbs

Height

59.6 in

Ground Clearance

7 lbs

capacity
passenger volume

90.2 cu ft

cargo volume

14.9 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

30/34/38 mpg

highway range

410.4 mi

warranty
basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2012 Nissan Versa User Reviews

2.6

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POPULAR TAGS

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UK

Ursula Kutch

2012 Nissan Versa

S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

4

User Overall Rating

Posted On: April 22, 2022

Nothing fun about the car

Pros - Spacious, Trunk.

Cons - Power, Handling, Drive engagement.

Dull performance Versa came in at $6,288 and even though it was affordable, the car just feels dead. The only advantage of having the Versa is that it offers a massive room for both passengers and cargo. They sell cheap cars that just has no fun when it comes to driving

3/10
Features
6/10
Interior
5/10
Design
4/10
Safety
4/10
Reliability
4/10
Deal Value
5/10
Dealer Review
ML

Maria Lewis

2013 Nissan Versa

S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

5

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 27, 2022

A reasonably comfortable and economical sedan

Pros - Spacious rearseats, generous trunk space, comfortable ride and good on gas.

Cons - Sluggish acceleration, poor quality interior materials, limited highway engine power and erratic shifting CVT.

Weak subcompact car with poor quality interior materials. Three years ago I went with the Nissan Versa as I had a pretty stiff budget and needed a mode of transportation urgently. Although the sedan delivers uncomplicated, capacious, and low-cost transportation, the four-cylinder engine is underwhelming, and the CVT seeks for the optimal ratio at highway speeds.The seats in the front are OK for s...

8/10
Features
3/10
Interior
4/10
Design
4/10
Safety
6/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
VI

Victor Ince

2013 Nissan Versa

SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

7

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 19, 2022

Economical and practical subcompact car

Pros - Spacious rear seats, inexpensive, generous trunk space, good on gas and comfortable ride quality.

Cons - Poor cabin materials, limited highway engine power and erratic shifting with CVT.

Inexpensive sedan with good amount of utility on offer. At 65, I've driven almost every car brand since I got my licence at 16 – and this Versa is right up there in terms of value. If you can overlook certain cheap-feeling elements mostly of it's interior, it's a decently comfortable, well-equipped new car for the price of a used car. Like a bargain-basement suit, it appears to be current and ...

8/10
Features
6/10
Interior
8/10
Design
8/10
Safety
8/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
5/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
Add A Review

Top Cars

Top User Reviews

4/10

User

Rating

Nothing fun about the car

Dull performance Versa came in at $6,288 and even though it...

by Ursula Kutch

5/10

User

Rating

A reasonably comfortable and economical sedan

Weak subcompact car with poor quality interior materials. T...

by Maria Lewis

7/10

User

Rating

Economical and practical subcompact car

Inexpensive sedan with good amount of utility on offer. At ...

by Victor Ince

6/10

User

Rating

Noisy and inexpensive sedan

Economical and underpowered compact sedan. I bought the Ver...

by Madeleine Glover

4/10

User

Rating

Unimpressive headlights.

Poor mpg figures. Besides the design, there is nothing inte...

by Grayce Jacobs

view more reviews

Nissan Versa 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)
$17,758
5 Year Cost To Own
$35,497
Total 5 year Cost To Own -  $35,497
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5total
Depreciation$4,084$1,309$1,268$1,457$1,420$9,538
Insurance$1,392$1,404$1,425$1,511$1,607$7,339
Fuel$1,583$1,663$1,701$1,686$1,745$8,378
Maintenance$439$657$503$1,095$1,469$4,163
Repairs$39$-23$142$289$346$793
Financing Interest$1,100$919$620$457$150$3,246
Taxes and Fees$1,545$131$179$86$99$2,040
Total Cost-To-Own$10,182$6,060$5,838$6,581$6,836$35,497
Read more about Cost-To-Own »

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