Trims and Powertrain

All 2021 Nissan Versas are front-wheel drive. There are three trim levels – S, SV, and SR – which all get a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The S has a five-speed manual transmission by default, but buyers can opt for the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that comes standard on the two higher trims. As mentioned, this economical four-door returns outstanding gas mileage: the EPA has rated the manual-transmission S as getting 27 mpg around town and 35 mpg on the highway, while the CVT versions achieve 32 mpg around town and 40 on the highway.

Standard and Optional Features

The 2021 Nissan Sentra S is one of the best-equipped economy cars out there. It comes with automatic headlights, power exterior mirrors, keyless entry, push-button ignition, a tilt (and telescoping) steering wheel, power windows with one-touch up/down for the driver, three USB ports, and a standard package of driver-assist technologies (see the next section for more details). The SV gets enhanced exterior mirrors with frost-melting heat feature and integrated turn-signal indicators, upgraded cloth seats, a digital gauge cluster, and a split/fold rear seat for improved cargo accommodation. The SR adds LED headlights, fog lights, faux-leather dashboard trim, a driver’s seat armrest, a leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel, and Nissan’s Intelligent Key, which lets you lock and unlock the doors without the key fob in hand. Buyers of the SR can also opt for heated front seats, remote start, and automatic climate control.

Safety and Technology

Nissan Safety Shield comes standard on the ’21 Versa, with more features added to the higher trim levels. The base S is set up with automatic high beams, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, and lane departure warning. The SV and SR also get a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention system, and rear door alert; adaptive cruise control may be added to the SR.

For entertainment and communication, the base infotainment system offers Bluetooth, hands-free texting, and a sound system with four speakers, all controlled via a 7-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, or manual buttons and knobs. Smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) is added at the SV level, as is SiriusXM satellite radio. The SR receives another pair of speakers.

2021 Versa Trims

S

For a base trim that’s considerably inexpensive, the S is rather well-stocked. It has basic features such as a four-speaker audio system, USB ports, and a rearview camera, and conveniences like remote keyless entry, push-button ignition, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. But it also flaunts some more advanced features, like an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, a hands-free text messaging assistant, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. Better still, the S is set up with some standard active safety features: intelligent forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic braking.

SV

The SV delves into the bells and whistles with its high-end side mirrors (which are heated and include turn-signal indicators), chrome-look interior door handles, rear door alert system, and 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback. It also gains a more advanced infotainment system with NissanConnect, allowing you to remotely access certain vehicle functions from your smartphone. The NissanConnect infotainment system also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant (Android Auto only), and SiriusXM satellite radio. To top it off, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and intelligent driver alertness extend the ’21 Versa’s slate of driver aids.

SR

At the top of the trim range, the SR delivers quite a deluxe experience for its price point. It gets an assortment of desirable features, which include LED headlights with a follow-me-home feature: after exiting and locking the vehicle, the lights will stay on and act as a flashlight so you can safely walk to your destination at night. It also has fog lights, six speakers, remote start, sport-cloth seat trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an advanced keyless entry system (Nissan Intelligent Key) that doesn’t require physical use of the key fob. Automatic climate control and heated front seats are optional, as is adaptive cruise control.