Nissan Versa MPG, gas tank, tires, and towing

The 2025 Nissan Versa with the CVT gets 35 mpg combined (32 city, 40 highway), according to the EPA; the five-speed manual version is rated 30 mpg. Every Versa since 2012 uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The 2020 manual lists a 10.9-gallon tank, so a full tank in a 2020 Versa with the CVT is good for roughly 380 miles at the EPA rating.

Published November 13, 2026 · Sources · Share

On this page (10 sections)

Versa generations at a glance

  • 2008–2012 (first generation): hatchback and sedan with a 1.8-liter engine (MR18DE). A stripped-down 1.6-liter base sedan was added for 2009–2011. Tank: 13.25 gallons in the 2009–2012 manuals.
  • 2012–2019 sedan: 1.6-liter (HR16DE), with a CVT, a four-speed automatic in some years, or a five-speed manual.
  • 2014–2019 Versa Note: the hatchback version, same 1.6-liter engine.
  • 2020–2025 sedan: new body, the same engine size, a CVT or a five-speed manual.

Gas mileage by year

The CVT is what gets the Versa into the mid-30s. Older versions with a four-speed automatic are rated about 29 to 30 mpg combined. For how this compares with other cars, see what is good gas mileage.

202530–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2025 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
202430–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2024 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
202330–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2023 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
202230–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2022 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
202130–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2021 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
202030–35 mpg combined · 2 versions
2020 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD353240
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302735
201930–34 mpg combined · 2 versions
2019 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD343139
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302736
201829–34 mpg combined · 3 versions
2018 Nissan Versa: EPA MPG by version
VersionCombinedCityHighway
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD343139
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, FWD302736
Versa1.6L 4-cyl, Auto 4-spd, FWD292635
2010–2017ranges by year · details on fueleconomy.gov
Nissan Versa, 2010–2017: EPA MPG range across versions
YearCombinedCityHighwayVersions
201729–3426–3135–393
201629–3426–3135–393
201529–3426–3135–393
201430–3526–3135–393
201330–3526–3135–403
201227–3324–3031–375
201127–3024–2831–335
201027–3024–2831–345

EPA estimates for new vehicles from fueleconomy.gov (U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE), data retrieved November 12, 2026. Your mileage will vary with how and where you drive. EPA data on this site starts with the 2010 model year.

Gas tank size and range

The Versa’s small tank is the trade-off for its size: under 11 gallons in the 2012–2020 manuals we checked. We could not open Nissan’s manuals for 2021–2025, so those years show no tank size; check your owner’s manual. Range on the highway is better than the table suggests; in town it’s less. To budget fuel for a month, use the gas budget calculator.

Nissan Versa: fuel tank and estimated range (tank × EPA combined MPG)
YearsEngineFuel tankEPA combinedRange on a full tank
2021–20251.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE)Check your owner’s manual30–35 mpgCheck your owner’s manual
20201.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE)10.875 gal730–35 mpgabout 330–380 miles
20141.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note10.875 gal530–35 mpgabout 330–380 miles
20151.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note10.875 gal529–34 mpgabout 320–370 miles
2016–20181.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note10.875 gal629–34 mpgabout 320–370 miles
20191.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note10.875 gal630–34 mpgabout 330–370 miles
20121.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan10.875 gal230–33 mpgabout 330–360 miles
2013–20141.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan10.875 gal230–35 mpgabout 330–380 miles
20151.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan10.875 gal329–34 mpgabout 320–370 miles
2016–20171.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan10.875 gal429–34 mpgabout 320–370 miles
2018–20191.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan10.875 gal429–34 mpgabout 320–370 miles
20081.8L 4-cylinder (MR18DE)Check your owner’s manualBefore EPA data hereCheck your owner’s manual
2009–20121.8L 4-cylinder (MR18DE)13.25 gal127–30 mpgabout 360–400 miles
2009–20111.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), base sedan13.25 gal128–29 mpgabout 370–380 miles

Tire size and pressure

The Versa is simple here: 33 psi cold, front and rear, on every size in the manuals we checked (2009 to 2020), from 15-inch to 17-inch wheels. For 2021–2025, use the label on the driver’s door jamb. Check the pressure once a month, when the tires are cold. If the light comes on, see tire pressure light.

Nissan Versa: tire size and pressure (cold) by trim
YearsTrimTire sizeFrontRear
202015-inch wheels195/65R15733 psi33 psi
202016-inch wheels205/55R16733 psi33 psi
202017-inch wheels205/50R17733 psi33 psi
2014–201915-inch wheelsP185/65R15633 psi33 psi
2014–201916-inch wheelsP195/55R16633 psi33 psi
2012–201915-inch wheelsP185/65R15233 psi33 psi
2015–201916-inch wheelsP195/55R16333 psi33 psi
2009–201215-inch wheelsP185/65R15133 psi33 psi

Oil at a glance

Newer Versas take 0W-20 and older ones 5W-30, and oil capacity is small: 4.375 quarts on the 2020 sedan. Some years are blank because Nissan’s manuals disagree or because we could not open the manual (2021–2025); the Versa oil page explains each one.

Nissan Versa oil at a glance
YearsEngineOilCapacity
2021–20251.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE)Check your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manual
20201.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE)0W-2074.375 qt (4.1 L) with filter
20141.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa NoteCheck your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manual
20151.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note5W-3053.375 qt (3.2 L) with filter
2016–20181.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa NoteCheck your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manual
20191.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), Versa Note0W-2063.75 qt (3.5 L) with filter
20121.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan5W-3023.125 qt (3.0 L) with filter
2013–20141.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan5W-302Check your owner’s manual
20151.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan5W-3033.75 qt (3.5 L) with filter
2016–20171.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedanCheck your owner’s manual3.75 qt (3.5 L) with filter4
2018–20191.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), sedan0W-2043.75 qt (3.5 L) with filter
20081.8L 4-cylinder (MR18DE)Check your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manual
2009–20121.8L 4-cylinder (MR18DE)5W-3014.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter
2009–20111.6L 4-cylinder (HR16DE), base sedan5W-3013.5 qt (3.3 L) with filter

Can a Versa tow?

No. Nissan’s Versa manuals, from the 2009 hatchback to the 2020 sedan, say not to tow a trailer with it.

  • 3rd generation (sedan), 2021–2025 (2021–2025): Check your owner’s manual
  • 3rd generation (sedan), 2020 (2020): not rated for towing7
  • Versa Note (hatchback) (2014–2019): not rated for towing6
  • 2nd generation (sedan) (2012–2019): not rated for towing4
  • 1st generation (hatchback and sedan) (2008–2012): not rated for towing1

Recalls: check by VIN

A Versa’s recall history depends on its VIN, not just the year. Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; you’ll find it at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side and on your registration. Open recalls are fixed free at a Nissan dealer.

What to record in your log

Many Versas are commuters or first cars, and they rack up miles fast. Keep these numbers:

  • Fill-ups: odometer and gallons, for your real MPG. The MPG calculator works it out.
  • Oil changes with the grade used, since the right grade changed over the years.
  • CVT fluid inspections, if your Versa has a CVT.
  • Tire pressure and rotations.

Start with a car maintenance log.

FAQ

What is the gas mileage of a Nissan Versa?

The 2025 Versa with the CVT is rated 35 mpg combined, 32 city and 40 highway. With the five-speed manual it’s rated 30 mpg combined.

How big is the Nissan Versa gas tank?

10.9 gallons (10.875) on the 2012–2020 Versa sedans and the Versa Note, per the manuals we checked. The 2009–2012 first-generation Versa holds 13.25 gallons. For 2021–2025, check your owner’s manual.

What should the tire pressure be on a Nissan Versa?

33 psi cold, front and rear, in every Versa manual we checked, through 2020. Confirm on the label on the driver’s door jamb.

Can a Nissan Versa tow a trailer?

No. Nissan says not to tow with the Versa.

Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America. Nissan, Versa, and Versa Note are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.

Sources

  1. 2009 Nissan Versa Owner’s Manual (hatchback and sedan; capacities, tires, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
  2. 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan Owner’s Manual (capacities, tires, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
  3. 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan Owner’s Manual (capacities, tires) (checked November 12, 2026)
  4. 2018 Nissan Versa Sedan Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, maintenance schedule, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
  5. 2015 Nissan Versa Note Owner’s Manual (capacities, tires) (checked November 12, 2026)
  6. 2019 Nissan Versa Note Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, tires, maintenance schedule, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
  7. 2020 Nissan Versa Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, tires, maintenance schedule, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
  8. Nissan USA, 2010 Versa maintenance schedule by component (checked November 12, 2026)
  9. U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, fueleconomy.gov vehicle data (MPG; retrieved November 12, 2026)