Subcompact car reviews

With a starting sticker price of under $13, 000 including destination charges, the Nissan Versa sedan is the lowest-priced car in the country. And it has parlayed that head start to become this year's 5-Year Cost to Own Award winner in the subcompact car category.

At its base price the 2016 Nissan Versa features a manual transmission and old school, roll-'em-up windows, but also includes air conditioning and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Loaded up with every available feature - a list that includes navigation, push-button start and other similarly modern amenities - the Versa sedan tops out around $18, 000. Highlights beyond the impressive pricing and long-term cost figures include a remarkably roomy rear seat, surprisingly comfortable highway ride and highway fuel economy ratings of up to 40 mpg.

And while it's exactly zero shades of sporty, the Versa is just as easy and pleasant as it needs to be, as explained in our full review: "Nissan's 2016 Versa compact sedan isn't going to win much praise from those who think compact cars should be quick and fun to drive. But, for commuters, college kids and first-time buyers, the Versa's comfortable ride, peppy engine and slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission will probably win two big thumbs up. We found the Versa's steering properly assisted and its turning radius nice and tight. Visibility is excellent and the seats are firm with good head- and legroom both front and rear."

With a low starting price, high resale values and admirable fuel economy, the Nissan Versa is quite simply the most affordable way to move about the world in a new car.