Compare the2023 Nissan VersaVS 2023 Honda Civic

Both the Versa and the Civic have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 25 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Honda.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan Versa is faster than the Civic Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Versa gets better mileage than the Civic Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Versa gets better mileage than the Civic Hatchback:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Versa uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Civic EX/EX-L/Touring requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Versa has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Civic doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Versa SR handles at .86 G’s, while the Civic Touring Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Versa’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Civic EX/EX-L’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Versa’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Civic Sport/Touring’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Nissan Versa may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Honda Civic.

The Versa has .2 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Civic.

The Versa S Auto/SV/SR’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Civic Sport Sedan’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Versa Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Versa can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Civic can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Versa’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Civic Sport’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Versa will be $1643 to $6899 less than for the Honda Civic.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Versa first among small cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Civic isn’t in the top three.