2014 Nissan Versa

The 2014 Versa is available in a single powertrain, but the transmission option changes based on the trim and your personal preference. You can get it in a 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, or a CVT transmission option. The 2014 Nissan Versa is available in four trim options and competes against the likes of Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, and Chevrolet Sonic.

The 2014 Nissan Versa is offered in four different trim options, and the base S trim starts at an MSRP of $11.990. You can get the S trim in a 5-speed manual transmission variant or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission variant by paying $1,000 more. The other three trims are S Plus, SV, and SL. All the trims except the base S trim are available in a Continuously Variable Transmission variant without the option for any manual transmission on offer. The convenience features are also very generous for the price that you pay. 

We recommend

We recommend going for the SV trim as it gets you all the basic and even some advanced convenient features as standard. You get all the features of the S and S Plus trims, and in addition, you also get the features like remote trunk release, remote keyless power door locks, 1 one-touch power window, and you can also avail other optional features for your requirements. 

If you have high hopes in terms of performance from the 2014 Nissan Versa, then you will be disappointed. The Nissan Versa is powered by a 1.6L I-4 engine that produces 109 horses of peak power and 107 pound-feet of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a CVT transmission in all the trims except for the base S trim. The base trim is mated to a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Irrespective of the transmission you select, the performance remains very flat, and acceleration is not a strong point for the engine. 

You do not even expect a push-back in your seats from a car of this segment. However, the car does a good job as a daily commuter and is the best for that purpose only. The engine feels busy at high rpm’s and also gets noisy. The 2014 Versa takes a lethargic 11.5 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph and the quarter-mile comes in 17.5 seconds. The car comes with a top speed of 119 mph, which is not the best in the segment.

The 2014 Nissan Versa is the slowest car in the 0 to 60 mph run compared to the other cars in the competition, and the margin is also quite evident. Although, none of the cars in the segment offer very impressive acceleration figures. The Hyundai Accent is the fastest car to reach 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds, which is good for the segment. The other two sedans take 9.5 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint.

The 2014 Nissan Versa compensates for its lazy performance with its impressive fuel economy figures. The 2014 Versa delivers an impressive 31 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg. The fuel economy can be slightly lower with the 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission options. The CVT transmission remains the best option for fuel economy. It comes with a 10.8-gallon fuel tank and delivers a range of 432 miles on the highway.

The 2014 Nissan Versa outperforms the competition in terms of fuel economy with an evident margin. The Chevy Sonic comes out as the least fuel-efficient sedan in the competition, while the fuel economy figures are on par for the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai Accent. The Versa manages to offer a great range even though it has the smallest fuel tank in the competition.

You will not complain about the lack of space inside the cabin of the 2014 Nissan Versa. The front row is spacious enough to accommodate the driver and the co-driver very comfortably. The convenience features are also ample for the price and make the experience even more enjoyable. The controls are well within the reach of the driver, and there is no big ergonomic issue to point out. The seats are not very comfortable and could offer better comfort. 

The rear seat space is also on the premium side for the segment, and two passengers can comfortably sit in the rear row even for longer hours. It can also accommodate three passengers, but the shoulder room will be tight in that case. The ride quality is also very composed who adds to the overall comfort for the passengers. However, the materials used inside the cabin feel very cheap. The cabin doesn’t feel premium at all, and this is an area where the Nissan could improve, but you can not complain much for the price it asks.

The 2014 Hyundai Accent offers the best space inside the cabin in the competition, but the Nissan Versa is also not very bad. The Chevrolet Sonic has the largest trunk capacity in the competition, while the Ford Fiesta has the smallest. The Hyundai Accent also offers good quality for the interiors. All the cars in the competition offer seating space for five, which is the segment's standard. Standout interior features of the 2014 Nissan Versa include:

• Power Steering
• Tilt-Adjustable Steering Wheel
• 4 -Way Manual Driver Seat Adjustments
• 4 -Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjustment
• Single Zone Front Air Conditioning
• Cruise Control
• Remote Keyless Power Door Locks

How intuitive is the 2014 Nissan Versa’s infotainment?

The 2014 Nissan Versa gets a very basic infotainment set-up for the base trim, but it gets better as you climb up their trim lineup. The base trim gets a basic AM/FM stereo system. It gets Bluetooth connectivity and a USB input option with higher trims. The higher trims also get SiriusXM satellite radio. You can get a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system only with the top SL trim. The screen supports Nissan connect and also offers an in-built navigation system. Standout infotainment features include:

• 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with SL trim)
• AM/FM stereo
• Bluetooth connectivity
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 4-speaker audio system

The 2014 Nissan Versa resembles the essence of the same family sedan from the outside that it was in 2007 when it was launched for the first time. The design has evolved over time, and with every small update, it has become a better car in terms of exterior styling. The Versa does not come with striking exteriors that will attract many eyes on the road, instead it follows a subtle design language that never feels old. 

It is a long car for its segment, and the overall design is very proportionate from every angle. It does not feel overdone at all. It rides on 15-inch steel wheels which are covered in all-season tires as standard. The rear looks very plain and matches the overall styling of the car very well. The sedan weighs 2,468 lbs and comes with a class-leading wheelbase of 102.4 inches.

The 2014 Nissan Versa is the longest sedan in the competition, and it also comes with the longest wheelbase on offer. The Chevy Sonic remains to be the widest car in the competition and also is the highest car in the segment with a very slight margin compared to the Nissan Versa. The Hyundai Accent is the heaviest car with a big margin over other competitors. Standout exterior features include:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• All-season tires
• Chrome accents on the front grille
• Rear trunk spoiler (optional)
• Chrome trunk accent (optional)

The 2014 Nissan Versa has managed to get a ‘Good’ safety rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It proves that the Nissan Versa is a safe car. Over the years, the Nissan Versa has come out as one of the safer cars in the segment, and the 2014 Versa is no exception. The safety features are also fair enough for the price point at which it is offered. Standout safety tech includes:

• Stability Control
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Traction Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring

If you are looking for a subcompact family sedan for your daily commute, then the 2014 Nissan Versa deserves to be on your list. You will have to compromise on the performance and interior quality, but it will deliver you an economical ride in the city. The comfort is also not compromised as the suspension is well-tuned for a better comfort level. All in all, the 2014 Nissan Versa makes for a decent pick in the segment.