The Nissan Versa does 33.2 mpg combined (30.3 city, 37.8 highway), which works out to about $1,157 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 34.5 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 29.4 — a difference of $193 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Nissan Versa engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Nissan Versa ranges from 34.5 down to 29.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $193 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 31.4 / 39.4 | 2012–2025 | $1,113 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 27.4 / 33.4 | 2007–2011 | $1,306 |
What that actually costs
The Nissan Versa burns a gallon every 33.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 361 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.096 |
| Fuel per year | $1,157 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,785 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$337 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,905 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Nissan Versa gives up 7.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 37.8 out there against 30.3 in town, a 25% drop worth $251 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 30.3 mpg | $1,267 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 37.8 mpg | $1,016 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Versa changed over the years
The Versa peaked in 2025 at 35 mpg (32 city, 40 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 28 — 7 mpg apart, or $274 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2025 car does 35. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2024 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2023 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2022 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2021 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2020 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2019 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2018 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2017 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2016 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2014 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2013 | 31 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2012 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2011 | 28 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2010 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2009 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2008 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2007 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 19 EPA ratings of the Nissan Versa — 2 engines across 2007–2025. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,905. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan Versa get?
33.2 mpg combined on average — 30.3 in the city and 37.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2025.
How much does a Nissan Versa cost in fuel per year?
About $1,157 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,785 over five years, or 0.096 dollars a mile.
Which Versa engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 34.5 mpg, against 29.4 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $193 a year.
Is the Versa good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Versa figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Nissan Versa is $1,905 against the $1,157 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 35 and 28 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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