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Chevrolet Sonic vs Nissan Versa
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Nissan Versa Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2017 model instead of new saves roughly $6,753 off the original sticker.
The Nissan Versa is an entry-level subcompact car sold as a sedan and, in earlier years, a Note hatchback.
Market context: Its low MSRP means small price movements can produce large percentage changes.
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Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2018→2017
+31.3% in one year
Smart-buy year
2017
~$7,377 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 32.1% |
| 2019 | 43.8% |
| 2018 | 22.6% |
| 2017 | 53.9% |
| 2016 | 56.0% |
| 2015 | 62.4% |
Based on 557 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Nissan Versa as it ages, from a ~$17,740 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 100% | $17,740 | — | −$0 |
| 2 yrs | 100% | $17,740 | — | −$0 |
| 3 yrs | 92% | $16,392 | −$1,348 | −$1,348 |
| 4 yrs | 83% | $14,675 | −$1,717 | −$3,065 |
| 5 yrs | 74% | $13,138 | −$1,537 | −$4,602 |
| 6 yrs | 66% | $11,762 | −$1,376 | −$5,978 |
| 7 yrs | 59% | $10,530 | −$1,232 | −$7,210 |
| 8 yrs | 53% | $9,427 | −$1,103 | −$8,313 |
Interactive tool
What's your Versa worth?
Estimate a used Versa's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$8,450
about typical mileage
At 108,000 miles (about typical for a 9-year-old car, ~108,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Nissan Versa?
If you're shopping for a Nissan Versa, it's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2017 (around $7,377) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the S trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $5,999.
- The S trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2018 and 2017 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Nissan Versa Resale Value
The steepest single-year drop happens between the 2018 and 2017 model years, when depreciation jumps 31.3% points. That makes the 2017 Versa a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the S retains the most value (~27.1% depreciation) and the 1.6 SL the least (~62.1%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Nissan Versa Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
S
72.9% kept· 90 listings
SR
66.1% kept· 28 listings
SV
59.6% kept· 144 listings
S Plus
59% kept· 27 listings
1.6 S
49.5% kept· 76 listings
1.6 S Plus
45.2% kept· 42 listings
1.6 SV
38.8% kept· 110 listings
How Long Does the Nissan Versa Last?
Mileage profile across 557 listings.
Over 100k mi
44.1%
Over 150k mi
6.8%
Highest mileage
305,546 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$5,999
Roughly 44.1% of listed Nissan Versas have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 6.8% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2017 Nissan Versa sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $7,377 — about $6,753 off its original MSRP.
View 2017 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Nissan Versa?
The 2017 Versa is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $7,377 for a typical example, and the S trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Nissan Versa trim holds its value best?
The S retains the most value, depreciating about 27.1% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the S is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 557 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.