Car Buyer Labs

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A close up shows the driver side headlight on a red 2022 Nissan Versa SR.

What Makes the Nissan Versa Different from Other Subcompact Sedans?

Sedans have been our trusted travel companions for decades, always there to offer unmatched reliability, pleasing fuel economy, and a number of options to appeal to virtually any driver. Over the past decade or so, however, other vehicles, like large SUVs and trucks, have seemingly stolen the classic sedan’s thunder, causing this segment to struggle. Not all sedans can be lumped into this category, though, because like anything else in life, you need to be special to stand out. The 2022 Nissan Versa is a shining example of what it takes to remain in the spotlight, and if there’s one sedan out there that consistently performs well above the competition, this vehicle is it. If you’re wondering just how the Versa holds its own in a sea of SUVs, it takes more than just a pretty face to make it these days.

An “Xtremely” Smooth Ride with the Xtronic CVT

Enjoying the ride means everything for the modern driver, especially if that drive takes them on an hour-long commute into the city for work or across the country on frequent road trips. This is where the 2022 Nissan Versa has taken the industry by storm, with its high-performing Xtronic CVT transmission, which delivers an ultra-smooth ride and outstanding precision on any journey. A continuously variable transmission is unique, in that it operates by a pulley and belt system, allowing for changing ratios in its gears, as opposed to a fixed gear ratio found in conventional transmissions. The Xtronic CVT takes this a step further, with the widest gear ratio spread in the world for this particular engine, delivering an experience like no other.

In addition to offering a more enjoyable and controlled ride, it also improves efficiency, which is evident in the Versa, as it’s able to get up to 40 MPG on the highway, a top performer in its class. From its smooth acceleration to its responsiveness and handling, the 2022 Versa showcases a seamless ride, making it one of the most enjoyable sedans on the road. In addition to its outstanding Xtronic CVT, drivers are also able to choose a manual transmission when maximum control is of the utmost importance. Pair either transmission with its 1.6L four-cylinder engine and enjoy an excitingly agile ride, no matter where the road leads you. When you’re traveling in the 2022 Nissan Versa, you’re able to harness some of the best efficiency and power in a sedan, which further propels it ahead of its rivals.

A red 2022 Nissan Versa is shown backing into a parking spot in a city.

High-Quality Displays

Another reason the Versa continues to be a crowd favorite is the arsenal of tech that resides within its pristine cabin, namely its Advanced Drive-Assist Display. This innovative full-color display, available on the all-new Versa, showcases pertinent information about your ride, like safety alerts and driving range, to make for a more dialed-in ride. With the ability to control this ingenious display right from the buttons on your steering wheel, you’re able to stay effortlessly in tune with what’s going on with your vehicle, as well as what’s going on with your ride.

You’ll also get to enjoy a large 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which allows you to remain connected throughout your entire journey. Residing front and center, this system provides you with access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, to add more enjoyment and convenience to your travels. This full-color display is not only easy on the eyes, but it’s a breeze to use. It’s just another way the Versa is further separating itself from its competition, as well as making your drive more focused than ever before.

Enhanced Rigidity for a Safer Ride

How a vehicle is built can impact your ride in more ways than you think, allowing you to have maximum confidence during any type of journey. The 2022 Versa, for example, is built on a rigid chassis, providing more stability and overall responsiveness to deliver a ride that’s both safe and controlled. Its stiff rear suspension helps you feel more in control of your ride, even when handling tight turns and weaving roadways. Its smooth steering system provides the assurance you need, knowing that your vehicle can navigate through virtually any driving scenario. This strong build provides a foundation for the Versa that’s unmatched by most of its competition, making this subcompact sedan a top choice for those who prioritize safety and assurance on the road.

As well as being built to handle any type of drive, the 2022 Nissan Versa is also equipped with helpful safety tech to make for an even more secure ride. Through the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety and assistance tech, the Versa is able to maneuver through crowded streets and vast expanses of highway safely, confidently, and efficiently. From front to back, the Versa has you covered with features, like Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and more to make for a safe ride, no matter where you’re traveling. Combine this exceptional suite of safety tech with its strong, durable build and you’ve got a sedan that’s able to provide one of the safest rides around, not only for you and your passengers but for everyone traveling around you as well.

A person is shown putting cargo into the trunk of a 2022 Nissan Versa.

Smart Storage Solutions

Drivers tend to gravitate toward SUVs nowadays, due to the space that they offer, whether they’re attempting to fit more passengers or more travel gear into their vehicle. These drivers are also under the assumption that sedans couldn’t possibly be able to accommodate everything they’re bringing along with them for the ride; however, the 2022 Versa seeks to disagree. Smart storage solutions dot its interior, from 60/40-split rear seats to convenient areas for phones and other devices, water bottles, valuables, and more throughout its comfortable cabin. This makes it easy to fit everything you need to bring with you during any type of ride. If your passengers are looking to stay cozy, rest assured the Versa provides plenty of space, even in the back, to accommodate adult riders with ease.

When drivers think of subcompact sedans, they tend to think of a cramped interior with little to no space to haul their belongings. That’s simply not the case with the Versa, as its trunk space is one of the most impressive in its class. Offering up to 14.7 cu.ft. of cargo space in its trunk, the Versa proves naysayers wrong when they speculate about the lack of space in subcompact sedans, further enhancing its appeal with drivers everywhere. Now offering a lower, wider opening, you’re able to access its expansive trunk space easily, and combined with all the space and storage options offered in its nicely designed cabin, there’s seemingly nothing you can’t accomplish when the Versa is involved.

A Subcompact Stunner

Let’s take a moment to appreciate subcompact sedans, shall we? They’re the perfect size for many drivers, offering excellent maneuverability, as well as spectacular efficiency, and options, like the Nissan Versa, deliver even more to your travels. From its outstanding transmission and dutiful engine to its strong build and abundance of helpful tech features, plus loads of space to fit all of your travel gear, it’s quickly apparent that the Nissan Versa is different from the rest.

Few subcompact models can boast about an action-packed ride, as well as safety features that are among the best in the industry, but this small traveler can do just that, and then some. So, the moral of the story is this…there’s more than meets the eye with some of the subcompact sedans in the industry these days. And this further proves that the sedan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as long as models like the Nissan Versa remain on the scene.