Sedan has suspension adjustments, in addition to a wireless charger for cell phones in the Exclusive version.
After a while with scarce sales in EUA due to a lack of cars in dealerships, the Nissan Versa 2023 returns to stores. The sedan was almost absent in Tupiniquin lands due to problems with its production in Mexico, this is due to the lack of components that has plagued the entire industry for the last 3 years. But now everything is back to normal and the Japanese brand was keen to say that the Nissan Versa is back in the game.
The new Nissan Versa 2023 has no visual changes, which means that its design is the same as its launch. This is not bad at all, as its design remains one of the most accurate in the segment. However, it is worth remembering that the compact sedan has already gained a slight facelift in the front in the Mexican market, where it began to be produced in December.
According to Nissan, the facelifted Versa will certainly land in Brazil but, as expected, it did not reveal when this will occur. Judging by the production that has already started in Mexico and the market time of the sedan here, which was launched in 2020, we bet that the new Versa should arrive updated in the last quarter of 2023 already as a 2024 line . it can easily occur with the compact sedan as well.
Returning to the Versa 2023, Nissan has updated it in some points that are invisible to the consumer, but which are important. The sedan’s bodywork was reinforced with additional parts and increased thickness, with the use of high-strength steel, an improvement that resulted in better dynamics for the sedan, according to the Japanese brand. In addition, the rear suspension brings new supports and fastening systems, while the caster angle is 30% higher, which ends up improving the steering response in curves. In short, the brand claims that the updated suspension helps the car have 15% less body lean.
In the list of equipment, there are few new features. The highlight is the wireless cell phone charger that arrives for the more expensive Exclusive version, while the Sense variant received fog lights, halogen headlights with daytime light and the “Follow me Home” function (they stay on after a while after the car is braided). A feature that arrived for all versions was the emergency brake stop signal.
The 1.6 16V flex engine continues, but has been modified to meet the requirements of Proconve L7. Thus, the Versa was equal to the Kicks in terms of specifications, having its power reduced from 114 hp to 113 hp, while the torque went from 15.5 kgfm to 15.3 kgfm, when fueled with ethanol. When fueled with gasoline, the Versa delivers 110 hp and 15.2 kgfm, always with CVT automatic transmission in all versions.
The manual Sense setting went offline due to low demand. Nissan even disclosed the sedan sales mix between April 2022 and January 2023: Sense accounted for 19% of registrations, Advance for 39% and Exclusive for 42%. Versa sales in 2022 weren’t very good, as it sold only 5,662 units over 12 months.
For comparison purposes, the Chevrolet Onix Plus was the leader last year with 75,243 units, with a 31.09% share in the segment. The Versa ended 2022 with a 2.34% share, but, according to Rogério Louro, Nissan’s communication director, the goal is to reach 5%. Something quite possible, since the VW Voyage went out of line and alone held a 14.85% share, something that will dilute for the competition.
“Versa is a very strong car” in the segment. So much so that all models imported from Mexico sell quickly at dealerships, with the public being mostly retailers.
