2025 - Versa-tile, competent, fun, economical, and ... sadly ... wrapping up production

[trinacriabob]

I was assigned a 2025 Nissan Versa from NY-LGA for the Labor Day weekend.  About 10 years ago, I used to think that Versa was dowdy.  As I got into it and drove around Long Island, Westchester County, and even a little bit of Manhattan (where I parked it on the street overnight for free!) with a friend I'd gone to school with, I came to like this little car.

There's nothing overwhelming or remarkable about this last Versa  It's just a straightforward economy car.  It's nimble, slots into small spaces, and, on good pavement, rides smoothly enough for its size.  The ergonomics of the interior make sense - an aesthetically balanced dashboard, simple controls, decent seats in a durable cloth, and good sight lines.  The trunk is roomier than one might think.  The engine is a NA 1.6 liter 4 cylinder driving through a CVT.  And they were able to put this packaging together into a proportionate looking little sedan with an entry price of around $20 K.  

The car features a lot of the electronic assists and warnings, as in "standard."  Highway mileage with good uninterrupted steady driving can easily hit the 40 mpg mark, and maybe a tad more.  One would think that, in over a decade, Nissan might have dialed in the reliability of the CVT.  It may not be everyone's favorite transmission, but I'm almost sure they're better than in their teething years.

The curtain fell on the Versa without much fanfare.  Production for the U.S. market ceased last month.  Nissan will be keeping the one-up Sentra, which has been (noticeably) refreshed.  I'd say this Versa is a slightly more attractive and likeable option to the recently gone Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.  Now is its "time to say good-bye."

I like(d) it.

Front angled view - classic Nissan treatment, nice alloys, and easy to work with

Rear angled view - its lines have improved over older model years

[trinacriabob]

Here are some interior views

Sensible dashboard with easy to use controls - climate control vents and small touch screen embedded under the cowl ... all Versas have the black and blue trim, so they only offer exterior colors that work with that

Push button ignition instead of key inserted into the side of the steering column and various cubby slots to power up

Analog gauge for speedo at the right and left (display 1): digital readout

Analog gauge for speedo at the right and left (display 2): trip information

Analog gauge for speedo at the right and left (display 3): driving aids graphics ... and they're usually telling you something useful

Analog gauge for speedo at the right and left (display 4): tire pressure

Analog gauge for speedo at the right and left (display 5): DRUM ROLL ... a temperature gauge, which I almost require

Pull tabs for everything in close proximity:  trunk release, hood release, and fuel door release

Good rear visibility and all around, really

- - - - -