Nissan Versa Ownership Cost Calculator 2026
Pre-filled with real Nissan Versa specs. Estimate your Nissan Versa 5-year cost of ownership — depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, loan, and residual value — then compare against same-class rivals side by side.
Year-by-Year Cost Breakdown — Nissan Versa
| Year | Start Value | Depreciation | Fuel | Insurance | Maint. | Reg | Loan Pmt | Yr Out-of-Pkt | Cumulative | End Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18,000 | −$2,520 | $1,392 | $1,500 | $850 | $150 | $3,667 | $7,559 | $11,159 | $15,480 |
| 2 | $15,480 | −$1,980 | $1,392 | $1,500 | $850 | $150 | $3,667 | $7,559 | $18,718 | $13,500 |
| 3 | $13,500 | −$1,800 | $1,392 | $1,500 | $850 | $150 | $3,667 | $7,559 | $26,278 | $11,700 |
| 4 | $11,700 | −$1,440 | $1,392 | $1,500 | $850 | $150 | $3,667 | $7,559 | $33,837 | $10,260 |
| 5 | $10,260 | −$1,260 | $1,392 | $1,500 | $850 | $150 | $3,667 | $7,559 | $41,396 | $9,000 |
| 5-yr total | — | −$9,000 | $6,960 | $7,500 | $4,250 | $750 | $18,336 | $41,396 | — | $9,000 |
Combined 35 MPG (EPA). Depreciation uses a compact-sedan segment-average retention curve (editable). Figures are estimates for planning, not a quote.
Nissan Versa — Base Parameters
Powertrain
- Engine1.6L I4 (HR16DE)
- DrivetrainFWD
- Fuelgas
- Market years2020-2024
EPA Efficiency
- City32 MPG
- Highway40 MPG
- Combined35 MPG
- Source year2021
Trims & MSRP
- Base (entry trim)$16,000
- Popular (mid trim)$18,000
- Top (fully loaded)$20,000
Same-Segment Cost Comparison
Every model below is modeled with identical assumptions (Popular trim, 20% down, 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles/year, national average tax & insurance). This apples-to-apples view is exclusive to VehCalc — manufacturer sites and KBB do not show it side by side.
| Model | Popular MSRP | 5-Yr Cost to Own | Avg / Year | Residual (5 yr) | Cost / Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Versa (this car) | $18,000 | $32,396 | $6,479 | $9,000 | $0.54 |
| Kia Rio | $19,500 | $33,281 | $6,656 | $9,750 | $0.55 |
| Nissan Sentra | $22,500 | $36,052 | $7,210 | $11,250 | $0.60 |
| Kia Forte | $23,000 | $37,149 | $7,430 | $11,500 | $0.62 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $23,500 | $36,349 | $7,270 | $11,750 | $0.61 |
Nissan Versa Reliability, Fault Codes & Maintenance Specs
Model-specific diagnostic data for the Nissan Versa (2020-2024 (5th Gen N18), 2020-2024): known OBD-II trouble codes, symptom-to-fix mapping, model-year issues, and the factory maintenance specification sheet. Print it and hand it to your technician.
OBD-II fault codes
5 codes logged for this platform, with the cause most often seen on the 1.6L I4 (HR16DE).
| Code | Description | Common cause here | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) | Dirty MAF, vacuum leak from PCV hose | Medium |
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance | CVT valve body wear, degraded fluid | High |
| P0840 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit | CVT pressure sensor failure | High |
| P0420 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) | Catalyst aging | Low |
| P0300 | Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire | Ignition coil or spark plug wear | High |
Symptoms, causes & fixes
What owners actually report, what it turns out to be, and what the repair involves.
| Symptom | Root cause | Fix | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVT judder | CVT belt wear | CVT fluid at 30k | 2020-2022 |
| CVT shudder under light acceleration 25-40 mph | CVT belt and pulley surface wear, degraded fluid | CVT fluid exchange at 30k miles; valve body replacement if persistent. Avoid full unit replacement by catching early. | 2020-2024 |
| Belt slip under hard acceleration (high RPM, low speed) | CVT belt wear beyond tolerance | CVT unit replacement if fluid exchange does not resolve. Use only OEM NS-2/NS-3 spec fluid. | 2020-2024 |
| Hesitation on tip-in from stop | CVT valve body calibration drift | TCM software update from dealership; valve body replacement if hardware wear confirmed. | 2020-2024 |
| Whine noise increasing with vehicle speed | CVT bearing wear in pulley shaft | CVT unit replacement — bearing replacement is not serviceable separately. | 2020-2024 |
Common problems owners report
Recurring complaints for this model, summarized from owner-reported fault patterns.
- CVT reliability
- Road noise
- Limited features on base S trim
- AC performance in hot climate
Factory maintenance specification sheet
Spec-grade values for the Nissan Versa. Verify against your owner's manual before service.
| Engine oil grade | 0W-20 |
| Oil capacity (with filter) | 4 qt |
| Oil change interval | 7,500 mi |
| Spark plug interval | 105,000 mi |
| Tire size | 185/65R15 |
| Tire pressure (cold) | 33 psi |
| Tire rotation interval | 5,000 mi |
| Air filter interval | 30,000 mi |
| Coolant service interval | 60,000 mi |
| Brake fluid interval | 30,000 mi |
| 12V battery group | Group 35 |
| Battery cold-cranking amps | 500 CCA |
Powertrain & drivetrain identity
Confirm your exact configuration before ordering parts or booking service.
| Engine / motor | 1.6L I4 (HR16DE) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Body style | Sedan |
| Generation | 2020-2024 (5th Gen N18) |
| Market years | 2020-2024 |
| Original MSRP range | $16,000-$20,000 |
| Market | US/CA |
Data sources & methodology
- OBD-II code definitionsSAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standardized powertrain diagnostic trouble codes, with platform-specific causes matched against the model in this dataset. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Fuel economy & MPGeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy data (fueleconomy.gov), model-year matched where available. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Maintenance specificationsFactory scheduled-maintenance intervals, fluid grades, tire sizes, and battery group sizes compiled per model. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Defects, recalls & technical service bulletinsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect and recall records. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
Methodology and citations are maintained by the VehCalc editorial team. Where an official schedule is not yet loaded, results are shown as model estimates and the source is stated as a reference.
Nissan Versa — Common Ownership Questions
What is the Nissan Versa 5-year cost of ownership in 2026?
Based on a Popular-trim purchase at $18,000 with a 20% down payment, a 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles per year, and national average tax and insurance, the estimated 5-year cost of ownership is $32,396 — about $6,479 per year — with an estimated $9,000 residual value after 5 years. Use the calculator above to tailor it to your state, down payment, and mileage.
How much does a Nissan Versa depreciate each year?
The Versa sits in the compact-sedan segment. Applying a segment-average retention curve, it is estimated to keep roughly 86% of its value after the first year and 50% after five years. Depreciation is typically the single largest ownership cost, which is why our calculator shows it year by year alongside every other expense.
What is the Nissan Versa MSRP and which trims are available?
The Versa ranges from $16,000 (Base (entry trim)) to $20,000 (Top (fully loaded)). Trims shown: Base (entry trim) ($16,000); Popular (mid trim) ($18,000); Top (fully loaded) ($20,000). Select a trim in the calculator to recompute costs instantly.
What are the Nissan Versa real-world fuel costs?
EPA combined rating is 35 MPG (city 32 / highway 40). At the 2026 national average of $4.06/gal and 12,000 miles per year, fuel runs about $1,392 per year, or $6,960 over 5 years.
Does the Nissan Versa qualify for any tax credits?
The Versa is a gas vehicle, so federal EV credits do not apply. State-level incentives, if any, are listed on each state's page — select your state in the calculator to see local tax and fee impact.
How do Nissan Versa ownership costs compare with rivals?
See the side-by-side comparison table on this page. We model the Versa against Kia Rio, Nissan Sentra, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra using identical assumptions — same annual miles, down payment, and loan terms — so the difference is truly apples-to-apples. That is data the manufacturer's site and KBB do not show side by side.
What are the most common Nissan Versa problems?
Owners of the Nissan Versa (2020-2024) most often report: CVT reliability; Road noise; Limited features on base S trim; AC performance in hot climate. Each is broken down with its root cause and the repair path in the reliability section above.
Which OBD-II codes does the Nissan Versa throw most often?
The codes logged most frequently for this platform are P0171 (System Too Lean (Bank 1)), P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance), P0840 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit). The full list with the cause usually found on the 1.6L I4 (HR16DE) and a low/medium/high severity rating is in the fault-code table above.
Why does my Nissan Versa cVT judder?
On this model the usual cause is cVT belt wear. The typical repair is cVT fluid at 30k (reported on 2020-2022 cars). The symptoms table above lists every reported fault for this platform.
What are the Nissan Versa service intervals and fluid specs?
Factory spec is 0W-20 oil (4 qt) changed every 7,500 miles, 185/65R15 tires at 33 psi cold rotated every 5,000 miles, air filter every 30,000 miles, coolant every 60,000 miles, spark plugs every 105,000 miles, and a group 35 battery at 500 CCA. The full spec sheet is above and printable.