At our Birmingham car dealership, there are few things we love more than a good end-of-year award list—especially when they make our brands look so darn good.
Know what else we love? Saving our customers money, of course. That’s why we’re proud to represent Nissan, makers of the best cars for the money. Let’s check out a few of our award-winning nameplates and get into the nitty-gritty of just why Nissan has a reputation for making the most affordable new cars today according to Cars.com’s list of Best Value New Cars for 2023.
Nissan Versa
Our first candidate is one of Nissan’s longest-lived sedans in the global market, the Nissan Versa. Cars.com recommends the mid-level SV trim for the best value because of its mixture of solid craftsmanship and slightly upgraded features, like the improved touch screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which help the vehicle maintain its extraordinary resale value.
Not as practical for everyone—cars tend to be more affordable than SUVs and trucks—smaller sedans and hatchbacks are becoming less popular, with many major brands selling SUVs and crossovers almost exclusively. However, smaller cars generally get the best gas mileage; the Versa, when equipped with its Xtronic CVT, is able to get an impressive 40 highway miles to the gallon, which is one of the highest EPA-estimated, non-hybrid, fuel economy numbers in its class.
Cars.com isn’t the only organization singing the Versa’s praises, either. The 2023 Versa model received a Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award for the 4th year running.
Nissan Sentra
Another affordable and reliable car, the new Sentra, took the accolades home this year, largely for its well-built and well-appointed cabin, even at the most basic trim level. In fact, the Sentra S is Cars.com’s official recommendation, despite being the most inexpensive version.
The Sentra won the top spot in the car category for many of the same reasons as it’s little brother, the Versa. Being another four-door sedan body style, it’s naturally cheaper than a larger hatchback or an even more sizeable SUV. It also gets comparable gas mileage to the Versa, with an MPG rating of 39 highway miles to the gallon.
Another reason for the Sentra’s wallet-friendly price point is its extensive list of standard driver-assistance and safety features that newer Nissan models are known for. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is included, with myriad features including:
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- Auto E-braking w/Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Warning
- Rear Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rearview Monitor
- Rear Sonar
- Intelligent Engine Brake
- Intelligent Trace Control
- Hill Start Assist
- High Beam Assist
- Intelligent Driver Alertness
And that’s not even including optional upgrades available at higher Sentra trim levels. Easy enough to see why it won a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, as well as an Autotrader award naming it as one of the 10 best cars for recent college graduates in 2021.
Nissan Kicks
Representing the larger end of the segment, the compact 2023 Nissan Kicks was voted one of the best SUVs for the money by Cars.com.
The Kicks benefits from a large interior, making it a great small SUV for families. It also offers stellar fuel economy and a price tag that doesn’t break the bank. Like the Versa, the 2023 edition won the coveted Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award, and like the Sentra, Cars.com backs buying the surprisingly well-equipped base-level S trim.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 is fully present here, as well, in addition to some awesome perks like standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for an elevated infotainment experience. As with the other two list-topping Nissan models, buyers also have the option to upgrade various packages for a luxury-oriented experience, without paying luxury prices. One Nissan Kicks feature we love in particular is Bose UltraNearfield, a premium sound system that even includes headrest-mounted speakers. Best SUV for your money? We’d be inclined to agree.
Find a Nissan Dealer in Birmingham Today
Are you in the market for an affordable car with good gas mileage near Hoover? How about an inexpensive SUV for excellent features and surprising amounts of space? Boy, do we have some great car offers for you.
At Jim Burke Nissan, we've got Kicks for sale, Sentras for lease, used Versas priced to go, and so much more. As a local auto dealership in Birmingham (1300 3rd Avenue North), we proudly have salespeople ready to assist. So give us a call at (205) 390-7564 and ask how you can save even more money by leasing a new Nissan today.
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