The Nissan Versa used to share its claim as the cheapest car on the U.S.
market with the Hyundai Accent, but in recent years the Accent has gone a little more upmarket.
As it is, the Accent is now priced several thousand higher but it does impress as a little more upscale than the Versa, especially in its base form, and its interior materials and switchgear feel a step above.
The Chevrolet Sonic was all-new last year and is at the other end of the subcompact market; it's a serious, far more refined small sedan or hatchback, with a more refined driving feel, great interior comfort, top-notch safety, and better interior materials than the Versa.
Otherwise, both the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta cost significantly more than the Versa yet are more fun to drive.
The Fit stands out especially for its very low cargo floor and a seat-folding arrangement that's better than all others in this class.
While the latest Toyota Yaris was redesigned last year and is attractive inside and out from a design standpoint, it's not a standout in other respects.
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 2013 Nissan VersaBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Chevrolet SonicBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Ford FiestaBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Hyundai AccentBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Toyota YarisBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2013 Nissan Versa is at its best up against used cars: If you can overlook some cheap-feeling details, it's a reasonably comfortable, well-equipped new car, for used-car money. |
The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic swaps econobox blues for sporty driving feel as well as safety, refinement, and comfort. |
Small cars don't need to be bland--the 2013 Ford Fiesta proves that with a saucy look and pert handling. |
If you're not turned off by the utilitarian look of the 2013 Honda Fit, you'll like what you get, which is awesome practicality and space-efficiency, plus some driving verve. |
The 2013 Hyundai Accent is one of the best-equipped small cars, and it gets very good gas mileage, but it's not quite as exciting to drive as it looks. |
The 2013 Toyota Yaris holds true to its promise as a maneuverable, economical car for city commuting--with a cheerful, well-designed interior--but highway refinement and weak performance are major drawbacks. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $11,990 | $14,185 | $13,200 | $15,425 | $14,545 | $14,370 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 26 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact | Small Station Wagon | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual 1.6 S | 4-Door Sedan Manual LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual | 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS | 3-Door Liftback Manual L (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | 4 | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2013 Nissan Versa vs. 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | 2013 Nissan Versa vs. 2013 Ford Fiesta | 2013 Nissan Versa vs. 2013 Honda Fit | 2013 Nissan Versa vs. 2013 Hyundai Accent | 2013 Nissan Versa vs. 2013 Toyota Yaris | |
